The Civitas Institute conducted a poll immediately after the election. After finding out for whom the voters cast their vote, we then asked them why they did not vote for the other candidate. The following is their verbatim responses concerning the N.C. presidential. You can also view the results of the full November poll results. Also available are the verbatim responses regarding the gubernatorial election and the senatorial election.
Why Didn’t You Vote For John McCain?
• A multitude of reasons health platform choice of running mate
• Age, need change
• Needed a change
• Because he is a Republican wouldn’t vote for any Republicans likes Obama a great deal
• I felt like we needed change and I felt like Palin was unqualified
• Wanted change in the country
• Sarah Palin
• Time for change
• Just like Bush
• Did not see eye to eye with his beliefs
• This year was trying look at the president and vice president as team and didn’t feel good about the team.
• He’s too damn old
• Didn’t represent change
• Because he’s Republican
• I felt like it would have been like George Bush
• I just thought we needed an intelligent person in the white house
• He is Republican
• Ready for change
• He doesn’t seem right to me
• I’m pro choice and concerned about Supreme Court.
• Did not like him
• Felt that it would be like reelecting Bush
• It was a toss-up and Democrats won
• Just like Obama better
• Too old
• Because I agree with Obama
• I didn’t like the idea of the war
• Voted for the party
• Need to get rid of Republicans
• Obama was a better candidate. McCain too old
• I vote for the person for the job
• Wasn’t confident
• Didn’t like the way he handled his campaign, short-tempered, and didn’t want any more Republicans in charge
• Didn’t agree with his policies
• Do not like him at all
• Ready for a change
• Felt Obama had good ideas
• Sarah Palin
• He is another George Bush
• A registered Democrat
• Obama was more believable
• Didn’t think his direction was right
• Likes Obama better
• Didn’t feel he was right for change
• Don’t like the Republican principle
• Sarah Palin
• Vote for my party
• Did not like him
• He’s too old
• McCain will follow Bush’s policies
• Did not want for more years of Bush
• Age, no change
• I do not agree with what he stands for.
• Sarah Palin
• Because of his stand on abortion
• He did not want him in office
• Because I’m Democrat and time for change
• No more of the same
• His plans for future not consistent with my belief
• His stance on the war
• No Republicans
• He ran a dirty campaign and never answered questions never addressed issues
• Didn’t feel that he had could do the job
• Wanted Obama
• He’s too old
• Don’t approve of education policies
• Biden was stronger for vice president
• Don’t like the war
• Thought we needed a change
• Too much talk about him being a P.O.W. and I’m a veteran. Didn’t address national issues
• Time for change
• His policies were bad
• Liked Obama better
• Felt that his running mate couldn’t put out the job if something happened to him
• 8 more years of the current administration
• Because he was stuck in his old ways.
• I am tired of having the country run by hot heads and idiots I want the country run by someone with intelligence
• Obama was better
• Because I didn’t believe in anything he was saying
• Obama intellectually superior
• I didn’t agree with any of his politics
• Don’t agree with his policies
• Because Obama offered more and because he chose Palin
• Because of his policies
• Because I don’t believe in his policies
• Don’t like McCain
• Because of Palin
• His views was not good to me
• Always vote liberal
• Because of Sarah Palin
• He is not in favor the G.I. bill
• Sarah Palin
• Did not agree with his politics
• Didn’t like his outlook on anything
• Disagree with most of his policies.
• Felt same things going on, need change
• Because wanted a change
• Because of the economy
• He’s just like Bush
• Because the first time we have a man that is qualified and he is the first black president.
• I don’t like McCain
• Didn’t like his vice president, policies
• He’s too much like Bush
• I disagree with his stand on most of his issues
• Didn’t care for policies
• Didn’t want to after what the last 8 years was about
• Not a Democrat
• He was going to be like Bush
• Didn’t like his views
• His values sucked
• I did not like Palin
• Did not like him
• I was afraid he would pass away
• He’s too old
• Because he chose Sarah Palin
• Felt that it was important to have Democrat in the white house
• Obama is more intellectual and has ability to run country
• He’s my age
• Don’t agree with views
• Because he had Sarah Palin as his vice president
• Because of his view points
• More comfortable with Barack he is the better candidate
• Just wanted to vote for Obama because he was smarter
• Because he is like Bush
• His age
• Didn’t like him
• Don’t like Palin
• Because I didn’t want him drilling, and messing with health insurance
• Middle class self employed worker and is also pro choice
• Because of Sarah Palin and he is not pro choice.
• Obama was a better candidate
• Because I felt like it was going to be the same as with Bush
• Wanted new things
• Too old
• I only vote Democrat.
• Too much like Bush
• I didn’t like him
• Think he is too old
• Because I didn’t like governor Palin
• Too much like Bush
• Wanted to vote Democrat
• He is too old
• He’s a Republican
• Did not like him
• Didn’t think he was up to the job
• He had too many years in Washington. I don’t trust him.
• Not happy with him
• His age
• Because he was a continuation of the Bush administration
• Did not like debates
• Needed change
• McCain is old school. I don’t like that. He does not have modern ideas.
• Didn’t feel McCain was as qualified as Barack
• Because didn’t like his views on all issues
• Too old
• Don’t like Republicans
• Age, health
• His choice of Palin
• Didn’t like him
• Same thing for 8 yrs, needed a change
• Like Obama a lot
• His age.
• I was impressed with Obama
• Because the Republican and conservative party, not doing anything for the women’s’ rights.
• Did not agree with his policies and did not agree with his choice of vs.
• I didn’t trust in him
• Don’t like him
• Not equipped to do the job
• Obama is the right person for change.
• Wanted someone new
• Felt other party was best
• Just didn’t feel like he had my interest in mind
• Too old and another George Bush and couldn’t stomach Sarah Palin being in office
• Didn’t want more of the same
• Needed change and choice of vice president
• He’s just like George Bush and I really like Barack Obama
• Lots of reason, the war, his age, his running mate and he was to impulsive
• Did not like him
• Vote Democrat
• Sarah Palin
• Didn’t like what he stood for
• Didn’t think John could do the job, too similar to Bush
• He was not the better man
• He was not the one
• I wanted change
• Republicans messed up the economy
• He was so much like Bush
• He has not offered anything that would benefit anybody
• Because I’m a Democrat and it’s time for change
• Ready for a change
• Did not like his platform
• Don’t agree with his views
• Didn’t want the same
• He’s a Republican
• Obama was a better choice
• Would so the same thing Bush was doing
• Didn’t agree with his policies or his campaign tactics
• I don’t believe in his tactics
• Mind was made up for Obama, time for a change
• Republican
• Obama was a better candidate
• He’s a Republican and they don’t care about poor people
• Too old
• He is too much like Bush
• Didn’t like his issues
• Continuation of Bush policies
• He’s Republican
• Disagree on issues
• I always vote Democrat
• Didn’t favor his policy
• Needed change
• He’s Republican
• Doesn’t think he could have done a good job and he has been in there too long
• He’s another George Bush
• Looking for change
• I only vote Democrat.
• Didn’t like that he picked Palin & didn’t like his campaign tactics
• I wanted to see a Democrat for president.
• Not qualified
• Not a Democrat
• Obama had a better plan in my opinion
• Didn’t think he stood for change
• Time for a change
• Wanted change
• Wanted a Democrat
• Too much like Bush
• Because he was a good soldier, doesn’t make him a good president
• Don’t feel he is what we need now
• I’m Democrat
• Didn’t like his views
• I didn’t like his tactics
• Liberal free person, so he didn’t appeal to me
• I wanted to vote Democrat only.
• Disagree on his stand on issues
• He selected a bad running mate in Sarah Palin
• He is a Republican
• His age
• Didn’t agree with views
• Wanted a change
• He’s Republican
• Because I vote Democrat.
• Wanted change
• Never said anything of substance/spent most of time being negative against Obama
• Thought he would make decisions like George W Bush
• He’s Republican
• Not a Democrat
• He was trying to keep the rich-rich and the poor-poorer
• Didn’t agree with his campaign tactics or his plans
• Because of Sarah Palin and negative campaigning
Why Didn’t You Vote For Barack Obama?
• Because he believes in abortion
• I did research on Obama and I just didn’t agree with him on his views.
• The man is an idiot
• His views were terrible
• I’m Republican
• He’s too young
• Didn’t trust him
• Don’t trust him
• I don’t care for health care plan and his affiliation with certain organizations
• His stance on abortion
• Too young
• Not enough experience
• The view on some of his issues in religion
• Who he was and did not want him in office and did not like his policy
• Socialist
• Issues of abortion and gay marriage, anti bible policy of the Democrats
• McCain would be better
• McCain had more seniors in mind
• Too liberal
• Because I’m pro life
• Well I didn’t think he had enough experience
• Because she is Republican
• Religious beliefs
• Don’t agree with gay marriage
• Did not like him
• McCain had more experience
• Didn’t trust him, changed on issues
• I don’t like him
• Thought McCain was the better man
• Wanted to vote Republican
• Because of religion
• Don’t like his lack of experience
• He is too young
• Does not believe in abortion
• I don’t like his platform
• Don’t like what he stands for
• Not enough experience
• Did not like him
• Don’t trust him
• His Muslim ties
• I agreed more with the Republicans on things
• Inexperience and not credible
• I don’t like him
• His tax policy
• I’m very concerned about handling some of the issues and I don’t think he has enough experience to dig us out of a hole
• Issues with military and experience
• Not enough experience
• Unprepared to govern
• Believed in John McCain
• Too liberal
• I believe in John McCain
• Didn’t like his policies
• Because he’s a socialist
• Didn’t agree with stand on taxes, and Iraq
• Not enough experience.
• Some political stances
• Always vote Republican
• Don’t agree with his views
• Because McCain reflects more conservative ideas
• Not experienced enough
• Too much lobbyist issues
• Always voted Republican
• Does not have the experience
• He’s Democrat
• Did not agree with him
• I don’t like him
• Didn’t have enough experience
• He does not have enough experience
• Didn’t agree with abortion issues
• I don’t think he has the experience, I think he’s a snake oil salesman
• Too liberal
• He’s a Democrat
• He is for abortion and gay rights
• Not enough experience and did not like his background and too liberal
• Moral issues and business and defense issues that I didn’t agree with
• He’s a liar.
• Did not want him in office
• Because he’s a liberal
• His affiliations, rev Wright and he would lead us to communism
• Don’t like his background
• He supports abortion
• Too socialist
• I just have more in common W/h McCain
• Didn’t agree with some policies
• He didn’t deserve to be in office
• Did not agree with him not respecting the American flag
• Don’t believe in abortion
• Did not approve of some issues
• Don’t agree with any of his policies
• He is a left wing radical
• Wasn’t sure about him
• Liked McCain better
• Lack of experience
• Too young and untrustworthy
• Not enough experience
• Not felt secure
• Not mature enough
• Is a snake
• Wanted to vote Republican
• No experience
• Didn’t have enough experience
• Lack of experience
• He is a socialist
• He was too inexperienced
• Don’t agree with views on a lot of things
• Things that I believe in goes along the lines of Republican
• Felt social issues were off
• Because of his religious views
• Don’t believe in him
• Less experience
• Disagree with many of his points of view
• Too many unanswered questions
• Thought McCain would make a better president and I like Sarah Palin
• Too liberal
• His inexperience
• I didn’t agree with his stand on abortion.
• Didn’t believe he was ready to lead
• I just don’t like him
• Don’t agree with policies
• Because I disagree W/him on a lot of issues
• Did not trust him
• Because I am conservative.
• Did not think he was right person for the job
• I feel he’s not knowledgeable enough to be president
• He sucks
• Did not like him
• Not satisfied with the way he wants to do things
• Felt he has socialist views
• Because I didn’t agree with some of the things he said
• Danger to country
• Didn’t agree with his views
• Too liberal
• Don’t trust him
• Disagree with issue of abortion
• Because I believe he is a socialist
• Questions about not being born in the U.S.A.
• No experience
• Didn’t like his views
• Inexperience
• I don’t agree with him
• Don’t like Obama
• Ultra liberal
• Abortion issue
• Because I felt stronger about the issues McCain viewed
• Thought McCain do better job
• Voted straight Republican
• Thought McCain would be a good man… It was a toss up
• Totally against abortion
• Not enough experience and didn’t know his background
• Too liberal in social issues
• Voted straight Republican
• Too liberal
• Abortion issue
• Don’t believe in his judgment
• Didn’t like his policies
• A lot of questions about certain situations and how he would treat some other people who weren’t black
• He is for abortion
• He’s Democrat
• No experience
• I’m a Republican
• Don’t agree with some things he has to say
• I don’t like him
• Because McCain has experience with war issues.
• McCain has more experience
• Don’t agree with policy
• Liked McCain a lot
• Wasn’t sure about the people he ran around with
• Wanted to vote Republican
• Too liberal
• Doesn’t have enough experience
• Don’t like stand on abortion
• Not enough experience.
• He’s a little bit young
• Talked out of both side of his mouth
• Because he’s not a conservative
• Lack of experience
• Not conservative enough
• He’s a left wing socialist
• His background
• Too much Democratic control
• Believe he is terrorist
• Just doesn’t have experience
• No experience
• Didn’t like his policies
• He had too many foreign influences
• I believe he’s not what he portrays himself to be, and overall I believe his prophesy is being fulfilled through his Islamic beliefs
• Didn’t like him
• Lack of experience
• Because of immoral views on same sex marriage and for abortions
• Didn’t like him
• Stands for everything I’m against
• Didn’t figure he had the experience
• Did not think he had enough experience
• Voted straight Republican
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