How much do you know about the candidates you support?

Question

I'm appalled. I just asked three consecutive questions about votes that Fred Thompson cast while a Senator, and most of the responses I got were, "Where's your proof?"

First of all, look up his voting record, and there's your proof.

Secondly, the fact that you would consider casting a vote for a former Senator as a candidate for President without knowing how the candidate voted on the issues (whether or not you actually agree with that vote) is really disturbing.

So that poses the question, "How much do you know about your Presidential candidates?"

Do you research their stand on particular issues, or do you simply cast a vote based on what column their name is in on the ballot?

And how much of your own ideals must be reflected in theirs in order for them to earn your vote?

Just as an aside: I never said anyone SHOULDN'T support Thompson; I simply question how much those who do support him know about his voting record. This is supported by the number of people who responded to my previous three questions with some form of "you're a lying, biased liberal" when all I did was ask why he voted the way he voted.

Support him, don't support him, I don't care. I DO, however, care that people will blindly support a candidate without educating themselves first.

Answer 1

I like how people throw it back at you. Who asked the question here anyway? Want him to answer you? Ask your own gd question!

There are 4 people I keep close tabs on and have researched: Hillary, Obama, Gen. Wesley Clark, and Guiliani.

There are certain issues that mean more to me than others. Stance on the war, abortion, education, illegal immigration, and health care.

I'm obviously hoping for a Democratic President, but after doing my homework on Rudi, I wouldn't mind too much if he's the next President.

Clark or Obama would definitely be my first choice(s) though.

Doing research is a no-brainer. Everyone should know where their candidate stands on issues most important to them.

Answer 2

The reason I am not supporting anyone in particular right now is the fact that it's too early. There is too much to find out. Voting records are helpful but don't always tell the whole story. There is so much garbage put into some bills that they may vote against a bill for other reasons than the main focus of the bill.

What takes time is watching how each person handles a crisis within their campaign. With the amount of time we have before the primaries we should be able to witness some meltdowns.

Let's all wait until at least the fall to start weeding out the contenders and the pretenders.

Answer 3

We've had quite a number former presidents who were not senators or congressman. In my opinion, voting patterns in the senate or congress have little or nothing to do with being a good president. Right now, I support Obama because I feel he will bring a fresh start in Washington, his outlook on many issues is quite broad and he's got a focused understanding of the world. I also think he is not a liar like most politicians. At least he's not been in Washington political theater long enough to be contaminated.

Answer 4

These elections are going to be a disgrace. I definitely agree with you, people blindly vote for the most popular candidate.

But, I 'll say it
DON'T SUPPORT FRED THOMPSON!
The man is quoted as "lazy" -his high school coach

Just wanted to vote quickly in the Senate so he could dine at the Capital Grille- anonymous Senator.

"I’ve never craved the job of president, but I want to do some things that only a president can do.” - Fred Thompson

Check out his voting record on the Washington Post
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/t000457/votes/

Answer 5

Right now, I don't know enough about any of them to make me feel safe to vote for them. I also believe they change their answers to tough questions when it suits them. Look at Romney when he changed his stance on abortion and being pro-life or pro-choice.
As for Fred Thompson, he isn't in the race yet and I am not interested enough to look at his voting record. I think the candidacy for president started way too soon. We still have about 18 months of the chimp's term before the next election. I just hope he doesn't ruin the country anymore than he already has!

Answer 6

I starred you on this particularly because of your aside.

Right now, I support Bill Richardson. I say right now because there is still a long time between now and the election. I support him because he has done a great job with New Mexico as far as alternative energy, our drunk driving laws, he has the interests of the people in mind and not big business. He has brought many companies into the state providing jobs and revenue. He has signed a medical marijuana bill into law. He has made sure that all children have access to pre K education. Our schools have improved since he has been in office. He has implemented access to health insurance for small business owners to be able to provide health insurance to their employees.

Then there are his 4 nobel peace prize nominations. His experience with diplomacy in foreign countries. It is very important to me that the person I vote for is on good terms with foreign leaders so as to bring about progress and not resorting to force and bullying tactics that we have seen recent years. He has experience in the energy department. Need I go on. I do not support Hillary or Obama because I just don't see the leadership ability that I see in Richardson. I can not in good conscious vote for someone because of their name or because that is who everyone else is voting for.

Answer 7

There is the rub. I would wager that almost everyone who votes
gets their information from the boob tube.

i.e. guess who can really get someone elected. The media
which is controlled by a few major corporations. The boob
tube is the perfect propaganda weapon. How much have you
really seen about Ron Paul even after the debates he was not even mentioned in anything that I was reading. I don't own a boob tube so I can't attest to fox news or cnn or any of the other news outlets.

Remember when all people cared about was that Clinton played the sax.

Its called the dumbing down of the masses. Not everyone but
enough to be able to get their agenda in place.

Answer 8

I research the candidates and vote for whichever is closest to my ideals. I dont vote a party line and never have. I vote for the individual based on his views.

Answer 9

ontheissues is a great site.
I research each candidate by their voting record and their historical stance on key issues. This goes for candidates from both parties. Party affiliation is NOT a key identifier to me. I have candidates from both sides I am keeping an eye on.

Answer 10

I support Huckabee, I know where he stands on the issues and I know he is not afraid to take on the Democrats, I think that is all I need to know.

Do not forget, there is still almost a year until the primary, everyone still has plenty of time to learn about the candidates.