In the homeschooling “movement” their has been a great push for one Mike Huckabee. I won’t bother going into detail as to why Huckabee isn’t a wise choice, you can read SpunkyHomeschool’s blog about that.
I won’t bother going into the whole HSLDA-PAC i.e. Michael Farris’ endorsement of Mike Huckabee. If you really want the DL on that fiasco read Ned Ryun’s blog (former HSLDA-PAC director) especially this post on the HSLDA and Huckabee. I just recently discovered Ned’s blog and I have to admit his Political blogging is top notch. If you are interested he also has a great post on McCain.
Foremost in the “movement” are the Harris twins, writers of the rebelution, who have also helped found HucksArmy. Oh and they emailed Chuck Norris and helped persaude him to endorse Huckabee. If you wan the full scoop on this check out David All’s post at TechRepublican.
So why all the buzz about a mere 2+ million homeschoolers? Here are a few thoughts on the matter. Voter turnout and campaign involvement. Let’s face it, a significant percentage of homeschoolers will brave the cold wet weather today in South Carolina to get out and vote. If you just taught you kids about civics and doing your duty as an American citizen how can you face your kids and say “it was too cold to vote today jimmy.” I remember going into the voting booth every election with my dad so “I could learn how to vote.”
Also homeschoolers are great at organizing and spreading the word. As marketing director for Math-U-See (a homeschool math curriculum) I see this every day. I read several hundred homeschooling mom’s blogs every day and there are quite a few vocal Huckabee supporters along with a bunch of vocal Ron Paul supporters. I have yet to see any really vocal support for any other candidates. Yes their are a few Obama, Edwards, Hillary, and Thompson supporters but the majority of the “vocal” support lies in the Huckabee and Paul camps. Homeschoolers like Ron Paul because he, like them, is anti establishment and advocates people (read parents) making their own decisions. Homeschoolers like Huckabee because he has gotten a lot of “Free homeschool press” i.e. HSLDA.
But am seeing a trend among younger homeschoolers, aged 18-29, to make up their own mind. (I’ll start adding “we” to the equation since I am in that age group) We next generation homeschoolers are making our own decisions about this election and often disagree with the “party line (read HSLDA).” And this is a good thing. For years our parents, debate teachers, worldview leaders have been teaching critical thinking, how to analyze arguments etc. When you’ve been teaching a generation to think critically don’t be surprised when they disagree with you. In fact such disagreement is the fruit that teachers/parents should strive for.
In summary, homeschoolers are much more active politically than their neighbors but the next generation is looking much different, politically, than their parents. I know quite a few fellow homeschool alumni who will be voting for Barack Obama and not for Mike Huckabee this coming election.
Thus endeth my ramblings about homeschoolers and politics, please leave feedback in the comments section.
Full Disclosure: I am a homeschool Alumnus as well as a political blogger at TechRepublican and MyMcCainBlog.com
p.s. what’s a political post with out a prediction. My prediction for South Carolina, Huckabee will win with McCain coming in close second. Oh and Romney will take Nevada
Comments?
Interesting commentary and thanks for the link. My own daughter voted differently than we did. And I wasn’t surprised in the least, but we both agreed that McCain is a terrible campaigner. I also know homeschoolers who are for just about everyone. I’m thankful the blogs exist becuse otherwise the conventional wisdom would be that all homeschoolers “heart” Huckabee and as you know, that’s just not the case.
Thanks for this post Ethan. I was hoping you’d dig in and offer some perspective.
David