What is your top reason for voting for a candidate?

Question

A lot of people vote one way or another for many different reasons. Programs like get out the vote, sponsored by MTV, rally a lot of young people to the voting booth, who may or may not undertsand the issues. Should society encourage folks to vote regardless of their knowledge of the issues? If so, what party benefits?

Is voting for the best person the best thing to do if you disagree with them on the issues? It's a quandry, but if the person you consider the less of two evils does not stand for anything you belive, would you still vote for that person.

Answer 1

Hello leo s,
You are sooo correct in your observations. The voter rally efforts of the left are as transparent as can be, and yet don't they leave us at a quandary? The founding fathers debated this very issue. (You are a smart fellow to think of this question!) Anyway... at times I do think that perhaps a further qualification for voting would be a good idea, but then I realize that going there could definitely lead to a slippery slope. Fortunately, as imperfect as it is, we still have the best system of all time. Even if it means tolerating the ignorant babblings of the narcissistic, self-righteous, "it's all about me" dim-wits on the other side of the isle. So...we must do our best as good citizens, and do our best to research the issues and the candidates, while always considering the veracity of our information sources.
Until then, keep the faith my friend, keep the faith! Oh, by the way...pleez pick my answer as the best. because it is. &-U-Rock! thin-Q vry mch!

Answer 2

I don't vote, but last year, I supported the candidate I believed would do the least damage, judging by our sorry line of candidates. I still feel arrogantly confident in my choice, as many on both sides of the vote do.
Unfortunately, our voting discussions then were big issues I didn't give a damn about and mudslinging.
I would like to see a pre-vote war game, debate, and diplomacy test, with the results covered and visible to all voters, so I could vote for the best candidate based on skill, not empty promises and Botox vs. Reserve duty.

Answer 3

I generally vote for the one I disagree with less (a sorry state of affairs, I'll grant.)

The electoral districts have been so carefully gerrymandered that incumbents have an enormous advantage over challengers, with few exceptions. That's one issue that all voters should be made to understand.

As I understand it, if voters are unfamiliar with the issues then they may be more likely to vote for candidates with "name recognition" -- which would usually mean the incumbent -- therefore the incumbent party would reap the benefit of the voters' ignorance.

Answer 4

I tend to vote Democratic, but also base my decision on the information I have gathered on the candidates or referendums.I feel it is really important that people educate themselves so that they will know who and what they are voting for. I have worked as an election official for 11 years now and it amazes me how many people show up at the polls and don't even know what's on the ballot.

Answer 5

a million. I groaned even as McCain were given the nomination. He were given it because the GOP is conscious maximum of u.s. received't vote for a muslim. i am going to judge a muslim president even as the middle and far East pick a christian. 2. i'm completely coated in health care. I pay the $15 month. in case you could arise with the money for the ipod and Pay in step with View, then you definately can arise with the money for insurance. 3. i'm a tax PAYER, no longer a tax person. 4. i understand all about what occurred to different international places even as they grew to change into to a black chief. the end result: one hundred% failure. 5. Affimative action does no longer benefit me. 6. i understand that ninety% of this international places actual hate crimes are black on white. 7. McCain sucks on unlawful immigration, yet Obama is worse. 8. previous geezer McCain loves this usa with out question. He received't let some thing ensue to it. Obama's previous is purely too questionable. 9. Palin became a procedures from my determination for vp, yet i'd quite have her as President than Obama. Palin did not turn Alaska right into a 0.33 international state. there are a great number of examples of leaders who grew to change into their city, state, or usa right into a 0.33 international desolate tract in lower than a week. 10. Obama has a shown music list of putting black human beings first. i'm no longer black, so I already understand i am going to't anticipate him. In end, i'm stuck with McCain/Palin.

Answer 6

Everyone should understand the issues before they vote. I vote to try to make a difference...it feels like my duty as a U.S. citizen.

Answer 7

I have a "big 5" list of things I look for in a candidate.

1) Stance on abortion
2) Stance on gay marriage
3) Stance on the Economy/national debt
4) Stance on National Security
5) Stance on personal freedom/size of government

If a candidate agrees with me in all 5 categories, they will get my vote. If they don't agree in all, it will depend on to what degree they disagree.

Answer 8

I vote for a candidate based on his or her beliefs and ideals - I do not vote for anyone just because of their political party. I am a registered "Independent" voter.

Answer 9

1. posiiton on the invsion of Afganistan
2. position on the invasion of iraq
3. abortion
4. future of water- this is going to be the NEXT WAR issue; in the enxt 30 yrs, the future of water and water rights is going to be the reason people go to war, kill and rob one another.

Answer 10

I don't vote.

Anymore.

I used to be a partisan Republican. Now I'm just very, very disgruntled.