Do you think people will vote for Clinton, only because she is a woman, or Obama only because he is an .......

Question

African-American? I know most of you will vote for the candidate you think is best because that person holds the same ideals as you; which is the right thing to do, but this is America, the place where people vote for Democrats because they aren't Republicans. So, do you think people will vote for either candidate based solely on their gender or race, and what should we do to make sure these same people can never vote again?

Answer 1

Sadly, you are correct. There will be people who vote for someone based on their looks, gender, skin color, etc. And not on whether he or she is qualified to be president.

Answer 2

Some people will indeed vote for Hillary Clinton because she is a woman, and some will vote for Obama because he is African-American. Likewise, some will refuse to vote for either for the very same reason. However, I believe most people who take the time to vote also take the time to at least try and vote for the person who they think will do the best job.

What should we do about those people who vote based on gender or race? Nothing. At least they vote, which is more than can be said about half of the eligible population. Did you know that the United States -- the self-proclaimed greatest democracy in the world -- has one of the lowest rates of voter registration in the world, as well as an exceptionally low rate of votes cast in relation to registered voters? While I would love to see every single voter take the time to learn about the candidates before they vote, I'd settle for every eligible voter actually registering and then voting.

Answer 3

____?____ ... In your explanation, you've answered your own question, I think. I believe you're more interested in hearing other people's opinions, but I believe you already know the answer.

Yes, MANY ... perhaps TOO many people will vote for Obama merely because he's black and the same regarding Senator Clinton, merely because she's a woman.

Should these voters have their voting rights withdrawn? Perhaps, but such a change is not going to happen any time soon. However, I do get your point/suggestion. I presume you're trying to say that voters should have to pass a test, perhaps, before earning the right (or privilege) of voting. And you know, that's not a bad idea.

I once received a joke-type e-mail from a friend and it listed many outrageously stupid things that were done by some people and reported in the news. As a kind of punch line for each one, the joke added, "And she (or he) votes."

Take this example ... The girl got cold feet just a week before she was supposed to get married, so instead of doing the right thing and calling it off, she ran away and faked her own kidnapping and was later fined for making a false report to the police ... And this woman votes!

Anyway, sorry to have written so much. You asked a good question, though. Thanks.

Answer 4

Believe this or not, but a majority of women, according to recent polls, would not support Hillary Clinton. She alienated many when she made comments that she wasn't a "stay at home mom who bakes cookies all day". So I don't think in her case that just because she's a woman that that would matter. As for Obama, I think he could have more of a broad based appeal from all Americans, well, with the exception of conservative Republicans. I don't know if he has the experience to win, but he is very intelligent and has all the tools to become president some day. If not in 2008, very probable in 2012. He's only 45. What concerns me more about people voting for race or gender when looking at candidates, is that there is a trend that people look more at image instead of substance. I believe that happened in the last two elections since Bush put forth a friendlier and more folksy, down to earth front than Gore or Kerry. And Bush had problems in debates and other Q&A forums. In some cases, more than not, he has had huge problems using proper syntax while speaking. Basically his use of the English language is horrible.

Answer 5

There are some people who will. But every woman I know cannot stand Hillary Clinton and refuse to vote for her. At the same time there are many white people who I know that would vote for Obama. The fact of the matter is that most Americans are intelligent enough to vote for who they believe is the best candidate, regardless of their gender or race.

Answer 6

of course they will. one one of the reasons this country is called FREE is because there is NOTHING anyone can do to restrict their right to vote as they please. There will be just as many voting against them for the very same reasons. I would not want anyone or any government saying i could not vote the way i choose.

Answer 7

I think people should RESEARCH (read, write, watch) to determine who understands the American people's needs and interests best.
I think the next President should have a real working understanding of global issues and that includes everything from international trade to a real plan to get U S out of Iraq. I think the next President should be a responsible adult with independent thought yet not too proud to include other responsible adults in the conversation.
Also, it would be most interesting to see the right to declare war 'readjusted' to include other decision makers. In my opinion, no one person should have that much power. One person decides if the ":most powerful" nation can go to war? Based on what? That in itself is frightening.
I think the next President should be inclusionary in vision, is that even a word? This nation, in my opinion, is ready for a President that can see the forest for the trees. Especially in the South, there are still some people who are mentally stuck in the 1940's (pre civil rights). Electing either an African American or a female as President would be very difficult for them. Unfortunately, they are passing this shoot-the-country-in-the-foot mentality down the familial tree. This is unfortunate because you end up with the mistakes of the past repeating themselves ad nauseum."My grandpappy voted this-way and I'm gonna vote this way," is a very bad method to choose a President.
To respond to your question,I think people should have to explain why they're voting the way they're voting before they vote and if they don't know why, then their voters cards should be voided!!! This is such an important matter to the well-being and prosperity of the country until fools should not be permitted to participate. Now, to clarify, that person should not be criticized for their choice, BUT they should have to explain their reasons for voting the way they're voting to a panel of at least two, one Dem and one Rep. Then a representative from each of the parties should talk to the person sanely for a minute to point out the pros and cons of their decision.
I recently had a conversation with a neighbor who is a staunch supporter of a party that will go unnamed. When I pointed out that the party she supported will be the party to put her in the proverbial poor house, I almost saw light in her eyes coming from her brain. Not quite. I think some folks would rather fight than quit. Unfortunately, they're fighting THEIR OWN BEST INTEREST AND HARMING THEMSELVES AND THE PEOPLE THEY CARE ABOUT. Oh, my!!!
The US needs to define its agenda(s) then adhere to it. I think the presidential candidates might want to talk to Cindy Sheehan and ask her what she might want to do in terms of Iraq.
I think the next President should look at the poorest of this nation's citizens and devise a plan to move them forward. To leave homeless people in harm's way is unconsciousable.
Harm in this case would be described as homeless, hungry and unemployable.
I think for starters that the next President should put a working computer in every home that does not have one. It should be mandated by law to do so. How fortunate we all are to be computer literate. Can you imagine your life without the web? I know I cannot.
I think two subjects that are on the table, politically, currently should not even be up for debate. They are minimum wage and uni health care. We, as a nation, need to be mobilized, publicly regarding these issues or does the idea of ill, poor people sit right with us?
I pray not.
I think this answer is too long...bye for now..

Answer 8

Yes, definitely. But I think most voters use some criteria like this, other than just the important issues when voting.

Answer 9

I don't think many people would vote for Hillary. But not over sexism or because she's not the best candidate. She simply comes across as way too headstrong and bullish in her own opinions.

Answer 10

sure some will vote for them only for these reasons but just as many will not for the same reasons. the ignorant on both ends cancel each other out.