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Amish Could Give McCain Crucial Swing-State Support

Many members of sect, concentrated in Ohio, Pa., voted Bush in '04

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2008 3:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – With John McCain now focused on winning Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, he could get help from a group that has traditionally avoided politics: the Amish. When they do vote, Amish are thought to be 100% Republican because of their views on abortion, Benjamin Sarlin writes in the Daily Beast; George W. Bush was able to mobilize the reclusive Amish vote in 2004.

There are an estimated 231,000 Amish across the three states. But Democrats say Bush’s 2004 success was a fluke, especially because the continuing Iraq war has soured many of the pacifist Amish on politics. They also note that McCain has had problems connecting with religious voters, and that registration deadlines have already passed in all three states.

There are about 231 Amish spread among Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio%u2014swing states where even the slimmest of margins could decide the election.
There are about 231 Amish spread among Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio%u2014swing states where even the slimmest of margins could decide the election.   (AP Photo)
A horse and carriage pass the sign at Village at Paradise, a new housing development in Paradise, Pa.,  Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.
A horse and carriage pass the sign at "Village at Paradise", a new housing development in Paradise, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Vinny Tennis)
A horse and carriage travel south out of New Holland, Pa., past construction on a industrial complex, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.
A horse and carriage travel south out of New Holland, Pa., past construction on a industrial complex, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Vinny Tennis)
McCain's best bet might be to woo the Amish.
McCain's best bet might be to woo the Amish.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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I never even heard the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem until after I left. The Amish are completely cut off from the outside world.
- Ruth Irene Garrett, former member of an Amish township

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Nov 16, 2008 10:00 PM CST
I'm guessing they stayed home in all three states since they all went Obama.
Guest
Nov 1, 2008 7:40 AM CDT
Yell McCain/Palin will take us back to the horse and buggy days. It will be nice when we can send the trotting.
 

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