Do the Amish care about politics?

With the races for the presidential nominations heating up, seems you can't turn around without hearing what so-and-so said about you-know-who, who's waffling, flip-flopping or what-not.  Just 12 more months of it to go.


So what do the Amish think about the political process?

Well I can't speak for all of them, but it seems to me that there are some closet political junkies among the Amish out there.  I've been listening to interviews with Amish business owners I did in September for an upcoming book, and on more than one occasion our conversational digressions led into the political sphere.

If the Amish were more politically active, it's probably fair to say that most would lean Republican, despite the current administration's stance on war.  Bush famously went after 'the Amish vote' in 2004 in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, with a number of Amish responding enthusiastically.  Generally, Amish do not vote, and if they do, it's usually for local office.  It would be extremely rare for them to hold any sort of political office themselves.

Social issues such as abortion and religion factor into the conservative lean.   

Some Amish get their fix of politics through right-wing radio.  One of my acquaintances listens to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck when he's on the road, though he says he finds Sean Hannity a bit too liberal for his tastes.

One thing's for certain, there won't be many Clinton votes among the few that may be cast by the Amish in '08.  In the words of one Ohio Amishman, currently pulling for Romney:  'Old HIllary...I just can't find myself clapping for anything Hillary does.'

Comments

[easy]

It's extremely unseemly for the Amish to ingage in partisan politics. I wonder if your motivation for sharing that quote about Hillary, wasn't more about your vanity, than it reflects what the Amish want. The current political climate seems to align the Amish with the Republicans, but if the Amish hitch their wagons to politics, they betray their core values. Is that what you want?

[Mike]

Oh my yes. Both of my Amish grandfathers have voted Republican for years even though voting is a bit controversial. Bill and Hillary jokes were quite popular at family gatherings during the Clinton years. And yes I agree with the previous commenter that in so doing the Amish betray what are supposed to be their core values.

[Amish America]

I agree with both of you on the core values issue. But I guess the Amish are human too and some find interest in politics.

Easy, lighten up, my friend.

[michelle]

Well, indeed they are human and politics can be interesting if not down right amusing! But I can see where their values and beliefs would limit them there.