Voting: Issues or Candidates?

@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
September 5, 2008 6:21pm CST
There is a wonderful air of "mom next door" to her, but there is also the fact that everything about any campaign is carefully orchestrated. Personally, I don't base my vote on the person or the campaign, I'm about issues alone. Yes, I will comment about a candidate or politicians decisions in life or character flaws, but I also know that most of the information about those things are equally orchestrated. I've studied up on the candidates from all the parties that will be on the ballot in Wisconsin, none of them really impress me much when it comes to issues... not even the candidates from the third parties. What I am left with is looking forward to 2012. Since the biggest role of the VP has become "hier apparent" for 4-8 years later, I'm looking at who that heir apparent would be... Right now, on issues alone, Palin has my vote... but I did say "right now".
2 people like this
4 responses
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
5 Sep 08
One also has to counterbalance issues with electability. No point on voting for someone who cannot get elected. If I am understand what you are getting, we should not be voting for Sarah because she is a women nor should someone vote for Obama because his African American. True I understand and we should vote based on their issues. Though if their gender or race helps them get elected then why not. Let me ask you a question, and I do not mean nothing by this question, if their was a candidate that you agreed with on every issue, but had issues with their personal life would you vote for them?
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Sep 08
This is what I call "American Idle Voting" (I used to call it "Horse Race Voting", but I updated it to fit the times). People who vote like this seem to be picking a winner instead of voting for a candidate. If we all voted in one great big national election, it might make more sense, however, we don't. We vote in 50 state elections. If you live in a state like Utah, a vote for a Democrat is no more or less a wasted vote than voting 3rd party... and vice versa in (say) Vermont. In fact, in the 1992 election, the Democrats were the 3rd party since Perot got more votes than did Clinton. The only states where it even comes close to being true are the (so called) sing states. Here in Wisconsin the margin between the two major candidates is usually less than the population of some counties. But then again, in Milwaukee there are often more votes cast than population, so...
1 person likes this
@4magoo (396)
6 Sep 08
Adding to what ParaTed said, I am an American living overseas. We are Florida residents and voted by absentee ballot in the last presidential election. It was the closest presidential election in recent history and it all swung on FLORIDA. They didn't even count the absentee votes. Talk about your vote not counting.
• United States
6 Sep 08
I found it very interesting on the news this morning that oprah won't allow Palin to be on her show. She claims she doesn't want to use her show as a political platform. Did I mention she has had Obama on her show at least 2x that I saw..Doesn't she generally promote women and independence and excellence? I don't get it??? Stacia Pursehollywood.com
@missybal (4490)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Both! For me it's both and the addition of Palin and her experience and all she did for her state put me over the top. I believe that Obama's Tax Plan and opposition to Drilling is bad for this country. I believe we need an all of the above attack on our energy problem and in turn it will produce more jobs to bring the economy back to life. I believe in the American Dream, work hard and you will be rewarded, not a free lunch. McCain took a big risk in bringing in Palin, it could have gone either way. It is the person Palin is that is what attracts Americans, not the fact she is a woman.
• United States
5 Sep 08
You are so right Ted. Palin has a few wishy washy moments behind her from what I have read and heard, I haven't had time to actually check for myself yet, but I will. Like you I am looking to 2012. I will be watching palin very closely regardless of if the Republicans gain the white house or not, because I know if they don't win, we have not seen the last of this lady, she will be a major player one way or another. I am eager to see what this gal can do, I think she may just give the "Old Boys, including McCain) a run for their money. I think that kind of "Change" is much needed, and McCain said it best himself, when he said "No one can tell Sarah Palin to sit down and shut up," I think that observation is going to include McCain and the party, so look out boy's, Here comes Sarah! Blessings Marilyn