Would you ever vote for a candidate based on something other than their party alliance?

Question

I usually don't venture into this area of YA, but I was just curious.. Do your party lines keep you from voting for the person instead of the party? Personally, I find myself looking to the opposite party, even though I was always very supportive of the other...Just based on the person... (I don't want to mention who because then my answers might be limited, or turn into everyone attacking eachother)

Does anyone else think we should vote based on the candidate, and not the party affiliation?

So many people say yes, but based on all the hate and bashing on this board, I am surprised... Why all the bashing if you would base it on the person? (Maybe the bashers are just too busy bashing to answer...) I can't say I am innocent though, before this year I would have been bashing the other side as well, but I guess I have matured beyond that....

Answer 1

You want to know something funny? A recent study by Paul Goren at Arizona State found that voters typically formed their party affiliations before developing specific political values. They become Democrats first and then decide that they, say, oppose capital punishment and support trade unions, or they become Republicans first and then decide to oppose abortion and gun control. Throw that in with the results of another study, where only 31% of study subjects scored above the transitional stage of reasoning (equal to that of an adolescent). This low score indicates an inability to reason abstractly and would hinder ability to critically reason important social and political issues. So what do we have in the end? We have people who pick a party, go with what they're told, and do not have the mental ability to logically decide why they believe what they believe. Everyone always says that they don't care about party, they hold up the candidates and make an informed, rational choice. Well, in that case most people are lying to you. MOST people will vote based on party affiliation. It's as simple as that. Of course I myself don't do that. In the last election I voted for Libertarians, democrats, republicans, and even a Green. But I'm an exception to the rule, just like everyone else on here.

Answer 2

If you are voting based solely on party affiliation, then you should not vote at all. Do your homework and research where the candidates stand on issues that concern you the most and vote for the one that you agree with the most, REGARDLESS of PARTY AFFILIATION. There is no greater dis-service to our democracy than the straight line party vote. Your vote only counts if you know what you are voting for, other than that, you are in ignorant bliss that your Party wouldn't put someone up for an office that didn't share your concerns and views. I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents depending on their stance on the issues and I could care less what their Party Affiliation is.

Answer 3

Absolutely. I hope that other people agree, but I am thinking they don't, which is unfortunate. This is why our political system is so screwed up. Everything is left or right. There are very few people in congress with the guts to go against party lines. Lieberman and McCain are about the only ones I can think of. We should vote based on who can make positive changes for our country. There is so much hate between the left and right that our congress will never be productive.

Answer 4

I'm a Democrat who turned 18 just in time to vote for Reagan. He was the right man at that time.
I worry about Republicans and Democrats that seem to be too indoctrinated by the Elite and lobbying groups.
Both Bush and Jimmy Carter were the wrong men for the job at the time. Timing has much to do with it. FDR was perfect for pulling us out of the Depression, but his way of thinking might not be best right now. Reagan was good for his day, combating the spread of communism and giving the American people a pay raise, though it was via a tax cut. Taxes can't be cut too much to be tangible right now, and communism isn't really a threat today. He'd be the wrong man now.
I'm looking for a centrist to end this war, protect our borders, investigate Mideasterners trying to come here, even on business or vacationing, and restore the world's faith in our country.

Answer 5

I do look at certain candidates over party especially when it is at the state and local level. Usually at the national level the far wings of the party control the nominating process. But being a Republican there are Democrats like Joe Lieberman I can vote for.

Answer 6

Yeah when the choice is republican and democrat, All i can do is look at the parties because those are the only choices. My independent vote goes to waste. And the republican and democratic candidates are so politically influenced, all they are representing they parties ideals, therefore the person just doesnt matter. It really is a sad when you think about the state of politics today. It really is about bureaucracy of politics, instead of being about a great leader with great ideas.

Answer 7

I am a conservative. I have been voting for over 40 years. I always vote for the candidate, based on his qualifications, interests and political philosophy. I have never voted for the party.

Answer 8

I voted for Clinton and Bush, twice because I liked them as a person better than Dole, Gore, and Kerry. (I was too young to vote in 1992)

I think you will find in these answers here that your assumptions that most people vote down the party is wrong. Most people vote who they like better.

Answer 9

Good question! I vote the person not the party for the most part. For example, I voted for Clinton because GHWB really pissed me off, but I voted against Clinton in the next election because he screwed me over with my military benefits.

Answer 10

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