What’s for Dinner? The Pollster Wants to Know

April 18, 2008 8:10 AM

What’s for Dinner? The Pollster Wants to Know
"If there’s butter and white wine in your refrigerator and Fig Newtons in the cookie jar, you’re likely to vote for Hillary Clinton. Prefer olive oil, Bear Naked granola and a latte to go? You probably like Barack Obama, too. And if you’re leaning toward John McCain, it’s all about kicking back with a bourbon and a stuffed crust pizza while you watch the Democrats fight it out next week in Pennsylvania."

Studying the Intersection of Politics and Pantry.

You Might Be a Clinton Supporter if …

You Might Be a McCain Supporter if …

You Might Be an Obama Supporter if …

posted by ericb (74 comments total)

Your country is doomed.
posted by anthill at 8:15 AM on April 18, 2008 [7 favorites]

And if you’re leaning toward John McCain, it’s all about kicking back with a bourbon and a stuffed crust pizza


them's fightin' words, gray lady. you leave bourbon out of this.
posted by wreckingball at 8:17 AM on April 18, 2008 [3 favorites]

If loving DiGiorno's Stuffed Crust Pizza is wrong, I don't want to be right.
posted by Prospero at 8:17 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Also: Falafel in the pantry?
posted by anthill at 8:19 AM on April 18, 2008

Bread and circus
posted by psmealey at 8:21 AM on April 18, 2008

I must be an anarchist. Not one of the foods or drinks mentioned is on my shopping list.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:22 AM on April 18, 2008

What do Ron Paul supporters eat? snark removed
posted by dawson at 8:27 AM on April 18, 2008

Where does 2 day old Chinese and locally bought seafood fit in?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:28 AM on April 18, 2008

How long before we can expect to see targeted piggy back ad campaigns and promotions.

Vote for John McCain and get a free box of 20 gauge buckshot at WalMart!
Please try our Turning Leaf Obama Chardonnay this weekend!
posted by psmealey at 8:29 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Bourbon and a pizza? What?
posted by boo_radley at 8:33 AM on April 18, 2008

I must be an anarchist. Not one of the foods or drinks mentioned is on my shopping list.

I view it as myself having enough sense not to support politicians or frozen pizzas, two bad things.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 8:34 AM on April 18, 2008

Your country is doomed.

Oh, we know.
posted by god hates math at 8:34 AM on April 18, 2008 [8 favorites]

For example, Dr Pepper is a Republican soda. Pepsi-Cola and Sprite are Democratic. So are most clear liquors, like gin and vodka, along with white wine and Evian water. Republicans skew toward brown liquors like bourbon or scotch, red wine and Fiji water.

When it comes to fried chicken, he said, Democrats prefer Popeyes and Republicans Chick-fil-A.

“Anything organic or more Whole Foods-y skews more Democratic,” Mr. Dowd said.

Democrats like clear booze and Republicans like brown? And a bunch of the usual crappy generalizations about socioeconomic status and lifestyle. It's not even May yet. If this is what's passing for election coverage already, what will this cycle's low be? I shudder to think.

Has NYT even mentioned Bush 's admission that he approved of the high-level meetings on torture, yet? Admittedly, I have not been watching them closely this week. But goddamn, NYT. My lingering shreds of respect for you are failing fast, lately.

For the record, I split my shopping between a co-op and a supermarket. I made stroganoff with soy crumbles, organic mushrooms, and cream of mushroom soup yesterday. I like beer and white wine. This means I am a SPACE MUTANT.
posted by Tehanu at 8:36 AM on April 18, 2008 [4 favorites]

Oh sweet christ.

YOU ARE HURTING AMERICA
posted by DU at 8:37 AM on April 18, 2008 [3 favorites]

This is how we talk about social class in America without admitting that we have social classes.
posted by ook at 8:37 AM on April 18, 2008 [27 favorites]

I drink beer and eat a lot of rice and beans.
I think I'll pencil myself in on that ballot.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 8:38 AM on April 18, 2008

This is how we talk about social class in America without admitting that we have social classes.

Oh, we have them, they're just temporary designation. For example, in Britain, a landed aristocrat might lose his house, his land and his possessions, but people will still call him Lord Whatshisbutt, even when he's destitute. In America, a hedge fund manager can go from 9 figures and living on Fifth Avenue, lose it all, and be addressed as "Waiter!".
posted by psmealey at 8:42 AM on April 18, 2008 [5 favorites]

This is how we talk about social class in America without admitting that we have social classes.

Stated like a latte-swigging, Whole Foods shopping liberal! I bet you drink Evian and can't bowl.
posted by Tehanu at 8:43 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'm still waiting for the Culver's candidate.
posted by drezdn at 8:43 AM on April 18, 2008 [3 favorites]

Pity they didn't do this four years ago:

You know you're a Kerry supporter if....
You have a bottle of whiskey and a loaded handgun on your night stand.
posted by psmealey at 8:45 AM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

What if I trail run, like honey, shop at Whole Foods from time to time, but Safeway most of the time and would eat any DiGiorno's pizza you put in front of me?

Some writer has WAY too much time on their hands...
posted by Pantengliopoli at 8:45 AM on April 18, 2008

I love being reduced to my consumer choices.
Diminishment=Change!
posted by Dizzy at 8:46 AM on April 18, 2008

Yeah, I was in Whole Foods the other day, but it is Obama for me, not Hillary. I was at the checkout line with an absolutely full cart. The older guy behind me looked at my cart laughed, and said "Heh, you shop like a girl!" I have no proof but I suspect he was a McCain man.
posted by R. Mutt at 8:48 AM on April 18, 2008

And here I was thinking all these years that MR. PIBB was the Republican soda.
posted by The Straightener at 8:53 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'm so serving bourbon and stuffed-crust pizza at my Obama victory party.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:54 AM on April 18, 2008 [4 favorites]

JoAnn Clevenger, the owner of the Upperline restaurant in New Orleans, doesn’t need a data set to identify how customers might vote. She just watches what they order.

And reads their party affiliation badges, which all patrons of the restaurant are required to wear at all times.

(WTF, NY Times? This article should've been posted 17 days ago)
posted by ook at 8:57 AM on April 18, 2008

When it comes to fried chicken, he said, Democrats prefer Popeyes and Republicans Chick-fil-A.

I truly love both. Now I'm all confused.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:58 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Hypothetical pitch meeting.

"Okay, Bob...what does our research show?"

"Well, sir, it appears that McCain supporters like bran cereal, hard candies, and stool softeners."

"Good, good. And Clinton?"

"Says here that Clinton supporters like white wine, organic foods, and vegetarian options."

"No surprises there. What do you have for Obama?"

"Well, here's the problem...Our polls show us that Obama supporters like fried chicken and watermelon."

"Good god, man! We can't print that! What kind of demographics were targeted?"

"That's the thing, sir. It's just random chance. Randomly, Obama supporters of all races really just like fired chicken and watermelon. The boys in research are just scratching their heads."

"Look...um...just make up a bunch of crap about what specific candidates prefer and run with that."

"That's what we were going to suggest, sir."
posted by ColdChef at 8:58 AM on April 18, 2008 [16 favorites]

I'm kind of curious whether the market data is from a certain region, or nationwide.

Also, I wish it was over-the-top specific

Like... If you voted for Fred Thompson:

You go to bed around 10:15 P.M.
You used to watch Leno, but now find him boring
You preferred Brisco and Logan era L&O
You have two children, one of them hates you and the other is too hopped up on drugs to care
You don't get Chuck Norris jokes, but forward them to your friends
You stopped liking South Park after it got "preachy"
You lost your thumb in shop class in 11th grade on the Band Saw.
When you go to McDonalds, you always order a #4.
You own a gun, but don't actually know how to use it.
You wet the bed once at the age of 9.
You like Old Spice, but just because it smells like old money.
posted by drezdn at 8:58 AM on April 18, 2008

I truly love both. Now I'm all confused.

I think Chick-fil-a's owner is known for being a religious conservative? (Or is that the Steak Escape? I get my mall food court restaurants confused sometimes).
posted by drezdn at 9:00 AM on April 18, 2008

The love of stuffed crust pizza really crosses party lines, it's something America can agree on.
posted by drezdn at 9:01 AM on April 18, 2008

How would a hedge fund manager "lose it all"? He'd just have his accountant fill out Form 13-5A, Request For Handout From Cronies In Government.
posted by DU at 9:01 AM on April 18, 2008

I suspect Wilford Brimley's endorsement had a disproportionate effect on what McCain supporters like.
posted by Bromius at 9:06 AM on April 18, 2008

And furthermore, they will call you during dinner to assure the most accurate results.
posted by louche mustachio at 9:07 AM on April 18, 2008

Why not cut out the middle man, and appoint, say, a cruciferous vegetable president? Wait...
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:12 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

See, MetaFilter teaches me so much about American culture! I would never have known about the "black people all eat watermelon" stereotype otherwise.

However, fried chicken - if it's still something regarded as only popular with Southern black people - is now very popular across different racial groups in the UK, and is often halal: "In London's Tower Hamlets, the Bangladeshi community like [fried chicken] spicy with more and more chilli." Which is great, because I far prefer fried chicken to your American hamburger chains (though I had a delicious burger in a Denny's in Los Angeles recently - why can't we have them, not Burger King?)

I also managed to try grape soda in California last month, having read about its cultural significance in the US. Alas, probably because of the demographics here, aside from Twinkies and Hostess Fruit Pies, I haven't managed to find out what you generally middle-class American Mefites eat (because you're the Norm, not the Other, I suppose, so you wouldn't think of discussing it). Now, since y'all seem to be mostly Obama voters, I can go read up now. Thanks ericb!
posted by alasdair at 9:15 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Do we really need another example of why market "research" is complete and utter bullshit?
posted by Pollomacho at 9:17 AM on April 18, 2008

Cool. Next time in the US, I need to have breakfast at "Panera Bread" (bread roll with cream cheese flavored with honey? and this is a posh, "healthy" eatery? I'm astonished you're not ALL 300 pounds!) and eat some Granola (which looks suspiciously like muesli to me.)

We also have kettle chips here, not very interesting. Though they are called "chips" rather than "crisps", I suddenly realise.
posted by alasdair at 9:23 AM on April 18, 2008

If this is what's passing for election coverage already, what will this cycle's low be? I shudder to think.

I guess you missed the "debates" the other night.
posted by SteveInMaine at 9:28 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Didn't the media just get taken to the woodshed for trivial, shallow, insipid, pointless coverage of the campaign?
posted by never used baby shoes at 9:32 AM on April 18, 2008

I only eat toroidal foods: donuts, Cheerios, Life Savers, and the like. Who can I vote for?
posted by everichon at 9:37 AM on April 18, 2008

I only eat toroidal foods: donuts, Cheerios, Life Savers, and the like. Who can I vote for?
Alan Keyes ?
posted by R. Mutt at 9:44 AM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

I guess you missed the "debates" the other night.

Having already voted in the primaries... I did miss the debates, what happened?
posted by drezdn at 9:47 AM on April 18, 2008

Lee Iaccoca?
posted by Dizzy at 9:47 AM on April 18, 2008

You know what this will lead to:

Other customers who have made the same purchases as you also liked product X, Y, and Z. They also voted for Candidate Kang. Would you like to add these items and your vote to your transaction now?
posted by never used baby shoes at 9:48 AM on April 18, 2008

Also: Falafel in the pantry?

Bill O'Reilly perks up, but then notices the "R" and goes back to skinning puppies.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:14 AM on April 18, 2008 [5 favorites]

So, wait, I'm voting for white wine and we're eating Hilary Clinton?
posted by Gucky at 10:18 AM on April 18, 2008

"You preferred Brisco era L&O"

Who doesn't, really?
posted by madajb at 10:20 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

You know, more and more and more every day, the world is becoming like Warren Ellis' Transmetropolitan.
posted by WCityMike at 10:22 AM on April 18, 2008

Who can afford to eat like that? Packages of cookies? Lattes? Dinner at Panera? PowerOne bars? Odwalla? Am I just a freak for buying ingredients, rather than all of these packaged foods? It's gotta cost a freaking fortune to fill up your cart with that stuff. I'd be in the poorhouse if I shopped like that.

Christ...this mean I'm a Kucinich supporter, doesn't it?
posted by waldo at 11:26 AM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Having already voted in the primaries... I did miss the debates, what happened?

Too much to type. Summary here.
posted by SteveInMaine at 11:51 AM on April 18, 2008

I guess you missed the "debates" the other night.

No, good point. I've given up entirely on tv coverage of current events, though. I have no hope left for tv news. Sometimes I listen to the debates on the radio, but l missed this one. I'll read a transcript this weekend. From short pieces I've seen here and there today, it looks like they may have outdone themselves, though.
posted by Tehanu at 12:01 PM on April 18, 2008

I eat all that stuff. I like running, eliptical AND fishing. Does this mean I get to vote three times?
posted by nax at 12:06 PM on April 18, 2008

This plays into my personal theory that polling has completely destroyed the electoral process and all political systems that stem from it.
posted by wabbittwax at 12:07 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

it's not about what you want to eat - it's about what the candidate wants to eat
posted by pyramid termite at 12:09 PM on April 18, 2008

Mainstream media paints Democrats as elitists, Republicans as down-home good old boys, MeFites inexplicably shocked.
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:27 PM on April 18, 2008

What's for dinner? Hmmm... How about the liver of a pollster, along with some fava beans and a nice Chianti?
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:36 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

When James Carville is the voice of reason, something's gone wrong:

Although [Carville] believes the cost of food is a fast-rising issue among voters, knowing what they eat doesn’t win elections.

“Suppose I found out people who drink cappuccinos are Democrats and black coffee drinkers are likely to vote Republican?” he asked. “So what? All kinds of other things are more predictive and less expensive to find out.”

[emphasis added]
posted by Elsa at 12:45 PM on April 18, 2008

All kinds of other things are more predictive and less expensive to find out.

But that totally defeats the purpose (of boosting revenue for pollsters).!
posted by psmealey at 12:52 PM on April 18, 2008

Apparently, I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter. How depressing.
posted by streetdreams at 1:48 PM on April 18, 2008

Did that really say that McCain supporter eat at Hardee's? Hardee's? Good god. I didn't know those still existed - or at least I didn't realize people who eat there still existed.
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:54 PM on April 18, 2008

Did that really say that McCain supporter eat at Hardee's? Hardee's? Good god. I didn't know those still existed - or at least I didn't realize people who eat there still existed.

One does.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 2:10 PM on April 18, 2008

"Did that really say that McCain supporter eat at Hardee's? Hardee's? Good god. I didn't know those still existed - or at least I didn't realize people who eat there still existed."
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:54 PM on April 18 [+] [!]

There's still a Hardee's every once in a while, although fewer and fewer as time passes. Seeing one makes me kind of sad. The chain is old and decrepit -- about to die.

Which is why the pollster possibly associated it with McCain, to wit: Perhaps the pollster had a left-leaning bias and wanted to associate Senator McCain with senescence.

It's just a theory, and, in case you think I'm just defending McCain, I support Senator Obama for president. (And no, I'm not a Camelot DemocRat, but I am an ass.)

The more important point here, as has been stated before by many others (but I think it bears repeating), is that the dumbing down of the "Main Stream Media" serves the political purposes of a certain clique the American Right, who serve at the benefit of a certain group of plutocrats.

Before anyone in the "Main Stream Media" backs down before the demands of the ruling Right wing clique, someone who might profess a desire for the truth and who might think of themselves as a patriot, say, George Stephanopolos, should think about that truth before lazily repeating the manufactured common wisdom.
posted by JKevinKing at 2:27 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

that should be "for the benefit"
posted by JKevinKing at 2:28 PM on April 18, 2008

I think people in small towns cling to places like Arby's and Hardee's because they are embittered by how confusing the menu's are at McDonald's a Burger King. They are also quite likely alienated by the freakish and inexplicable Burger King mascot (or whatever he is).
posted by psmealey at 2:30 PM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

Hardees = Carl's Jr for you west coast folks.
posted by pernoctalian at 2:35 PM on April 18, 2008

I eat all that stuff. I like running, eliptical AND fishing. Does this mean I get to vote three times?

no, I think the joke isn't for us folks
posted by perianwyr at 3:16 PM on April 18, 2008

I suspect Wilford Brimley's endorsement had a disproportionate effect on what McCain supporters like.

John McCain is cozying up to the OneTouch lobby as we speak.
posted by oaf at 3:35 PM on April 18, 2008

Hardee's =/ Harvey's for you Canadian folks.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 3:47 PM on April 18, 2008

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
posted by stenseng at 4:14 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

McCain supporter.

Perhaps the cognitive dissonance of Bob Dole in her Pepsi commercial is what drove Britney mad.
posted by dragonsi55 at 4:32 PM on April 18, 2008

The love of stuffed crust pizza really crosses party lines, it's something America can agree on.

I hate stuffed crust pizza, as well as pizza of any sort. Am I a Communist, a terrorist, or both? Please advise.
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 4:44 PM on April 18, 2008

I hate stuffed crust pizza, as well as pizza of any sort.

Why do you hate America?
posted by drezdn at 5:09 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Fiber one to move all that bullshit.
posted by telstar at 8:47 PM on April 19, 2008