Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Bush can't count on military vote Date: Mon, 2 Nov 92 15:45:13 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \SS (WS) \HD Bush can't count on military vote \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT NORFOLK NORFOLK (AP) - For many of the 2.1 million Americans in the military, the decision on whom to vote for in the presidential election isn't an easy one this year. Recent interviews with several dozen sailors stationed at bases in Hampton Roads and Marines at Quantico Marine Base in Northern Virginia suggested there is a growing concern about job security among those who wish to stay in the service and an urgency about improving the economy among those who expect to get out soon. "Vote Republican and vote yourself a pay raise" was the rule of thumb on U.S. ships and bases across the country and the world. But today, President Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton and independent Ross Perot all are pledging deep cuts in military spending to free up money for domestic programs. "People are pretty well dissatisfied with the status quo," said Navy Lt. Jerry Logan of Bellefourche, S.D. "Most of the guys will still vote for Bush. But whereas in past years it would've been close to 100 percent, this year it will be maybe 60 percent." Lt. Logan, 30, is backing Mr. Clinton after supporting Republicans in the last three presidential elections. "I think domestic issues are important in this election. . . . The military issues are not as much as you might think. Cuts will be made whoever's in office." Mr. Clinton would cut defense spending by 5 percent more than Mr. Bush. And Mr. Clinton would allow avowed homosexuals to serve in the armed services, while Mr. Bush supports the current ban. Mr. Perot, while generally endorsing military spending reductions, has not announced a specific plan. Among the Marines interviewed - most of whom asked not to be identified because they could get in trouble with base commanders - there was a strong consensus that Mr. Clinton would let the nation's guard down. "Russia still has missiles," a first lieutenant from New York said. "Anyone in a uniform will tell you we've got to remain strong." Many personnel said they disagree with Mr. Clinton's belief that homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the military. "There are a lot of my friends who don't support Clinton right now because he wants to put gays in the military," a Marine private from Florida said. "It creates a privacy invasion because we all live in rooms together and have just one big shower." But a Clinton presidency will improve job prospects in the private sector, according to several who plan to leave the service. Because most cast absentee ballots and political polling is banned on military bases, there is little reliable data on how the armed services vote. Military experts think the vote has been overwhelmingly Republican since 1972. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM