Do you tend to vote for the candidate or for the party?

Question

This isn't a new question, but it's still timely with US elections just a few days away.

So, how about it? Do you actually consider the candidates or do you vote straight party lines?

Hey Francis, thanks for the basically-unrelated dissertation for your answer. I read about 1% of it.

Answer 1

Candidate

Answer 2

I tend to vote for the candidate. I try to do as much research I can on what each candidates policies are and vote with the one that most closely I agree with.
More often than not, it tends to be a Democrat, primarily because of the issues that are important to me. But there has been occasion where the Republican was a better candidate in my opinion.
There has been occasion where on a ballot, I did not vote for either, because I didn't know about the candidates, or their policies.
I try to make an educated choice whenever possible.

Answer 3

I absolutely consider the candidate, and so should all people. An individual's beliefs will not always be in perfect harmony with a political parties platforms.

Simply look at how diverse both parties can be. For example, Lieberman (CT Senator) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY Senator) are occasionally attacked from the left wing of the Democratic party for being too conservative, just as Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA Governor) or Lincoln Chafee (RI Senator) is occasionally denounced by the right wing of the Republican party for being too conservative.

Answer 4

No I do not. I research the views of those I vote for and try to ignore 30 second political advertisements. . I'm voting for an independent Governor this year (the major partiy candidates are both too polar), a republican Senator, and a democrat for Congress. My choices for local and state representatives are mixed party as well.

Answer 5

Definitely for the candidate. I think voting party-line often ignorant (I say often, because if you've researched all the candidates, and all the Dems/GOPs have voted in the past and will continue to represent your agenda beliefs, then you may as well save the time and check only one box).

Answer 6

Both for most things. But you should always look at the candidate before you vote for the party.

Answer 7

Usually vote for the candidate, but this Tuesday, I will be voting straight Democrat.
Unless I find out that one of the Democratic candidates I am voting for is found to have sent pornographic e-mails to teenagers, or is indicted because he took money from Abramhoff, or was really good friends with Ken Lay, or had to resign his state seat because he got drunk and called a political opponent on the phone and yelled a bunch of racial slurs, or had to resign for accepting gobs of money, gifts and trips from lobbyists as graft.

Answer 8

I vote against D's and R's, unless one of either can make me feel like they really will make a difference. It's time for a new voice to be heard. We are a growing people, and are not being made a fool of by professional politicians who say anything for a vote, then allow themselves personal excesses with our hard earned tax money. The day is coming when the IRS will be history, and taxation will be a dead topic for milking votes. The day is coming when we outlaw lobbyists and PAC's, who actively seek to corrupt our legislative and executive branches. But, until we hand a pink slip to the donkies and elephants, it ain't happening.

Answer 9

Candidate. Generally it is not the party that interests me at all. But, now you have to declare yourself of one or just vote the issues. Don't like that at all.

Answer 10

I'm a one-issue voter so I vote with the candidate that agrees with my view on that issue. That view is almost always a particular party so I usually end up voting a straight party ticket. But not blindly.