On the referendum campaign trail March 13, 2018
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Uncategorized.trackback
Any reports from people who’re out there knocking on doors? This piece in the IT by Kitty Holland struck me as interesting detailing how PBP canvassers found a very mixed response in upper middle class areas whereas:
In the nearby, and less wealthy, Irishtown and Ringsend the reaction is predominantly pro-repeal.
Talking to people close who are canvassing and campaigning there’s a mixed set of responses. Some are getting very positive feedback, others not so much.
And this thought that was communicated to me really struck me as telling – that being that on Saturday last thousands were happy to march through Dublin supporting an anti-abortion stance, and the distinction between that and the marriage equality referendum was stark, that this was not a context where that could simply roll into this, that to be against marriage equality was something very few would admit to, let alone march openly about.
The Cedar Lounge Revolution 
Reports I am receiving on the anti abortion side are very positive from our side, from all around the Country
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Thanks Malachy,useful to know.
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I wonder if the organised anti-choice operation is as popular as some people are making out, or if it is just a small but very dedicated and well-financed grouping with a disproportionate presence? The 50/50 representation on TV and radio may be giving the impression of a larger lobby than exists.
Plus all that online and PR fibbing by the anti-choice side is muddying the waters. The 100,000 marchers in Dublin being the most recent example of its false claims.
I certainly notice a lot more animosity in this referendum than the equal marriage one. The conservatives and evangelicals obviously believe that this is a plebiscite they must win, a seminal line in the sand event the way the marriage rights’ one wasn’t. If they can throw enough dirt and muck at their opponents they think they can gain the advantage.
They might be right.
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I think they see the steamroller comong on from marriage equality. And if you can restrict women’s bodily autonomy in one thing, then it’s easier to roll back the rest (and contraception will be on their list).
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I don’t remember the same, for the want of a better word, enthusiasm in the opposition campaign on the marriage referendum that there is in this one. The save the 8th lobby is pretty riled up. The last plebiscite they seemed resigned to losing from fairly early on.
Conversely, I don’t see the same fire in the pro-choice campaign. At least yet. It is more staid. Timid even?
I’m not sure, but outside my immediate pro-choice family people’s intentions come voting day seem pretty mixed. Or it’s a conversation avoided.
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It is a very dedicated set up. Indeed I often wondered how many people actually make their livelihood from The Pro Life Campaign, Iona, Life institute and so on.
This is certainly a line in the sand for them, hence all the volunteers from the US and so on.
I also wonder how many people are actually undecided on the issue. Most people I know have their mind made up already (for both sides).
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Yeah, I noticed in town the other day that the two anti-choice girls who tried to leaflet me were stereotypical mid-west girls. As in the American mid-west. I hope the weather gets better for them soon! 😉
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I wonder if that area had already been canvassed by anti-abortion campaigners.
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That’s an interesting question DS. It would be useful to know some context.
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“I also wonder how many people are actually undecided on the issue. Most people I know have their mind made up already (for both sides).”
If the anti-choice side run a successful scare campaign, many people might change sides. Also, they could create a cimate of uncertainty where many people decided to retain the status quo, or even win if enough voters don’t bother to cast their vote.
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It’s a huge problem, and I think you’re correct, the status quo is the default position and per definition ‘easier’ for some. But just to underscore what you said the other day, the anti-choice side seems to have considerable momentum at the moment.
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I agree and because I reckon there must be a lot of money sloshing around on the anti-choice side, emotional manipulation and contrived confusion may make people stay away. I think door to door canvassing by the Left is a must.
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Meant as a reply to comments 4.
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Spot on Alibaba.
And outing the sources and role of the misogynist international’s funding would be a decent tactic.
Will the DUP be prepared to funnel dark money again, as they did for the Brexiteers?
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At least one person on the English left gets the Irish dimension to Brexit.
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Sorry – wrong thread.
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