what is the MAIN reason you pick a c...

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
what is the MAIN reason you pick a c...
4
Sun, 09-07-2008 - 6:23am

what is the MAIN reason you pick a candidate to support?



  • current style/how they relate to me
  • life long character
  • social/political issues
  • past experience
  • party affiliation
  • good looks


You will not be able to change your vote.


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Sun, 09-07-2008 - 6:32am

it's not an exhaustive list, but what is the main reason you pick one candidate over another?

- is it whether or not you feel you can relate to that person as you live your life today? if they appear to "get you" and you are comfortable with how they talk to you?

- is it how they have lived their lives? what has happened to them personally and what that represents? if their life is an example of choices that you would like to see others support?

- is it the issues they support? how they have supported those issues in the past and how they promise to support them in the future?

- is it what they have accomplished before this election in similar positions of leadership?

- is it the political party they belong to?

- is it their appearance? whether you think you can look at their pictures on the news for the next 4 years?

I'm just curious, after all the shouting, what is it that makes one candidate appeal to you over another?

Bea

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Sun, 09-07-2008 - 7:59am

To rank order how I see it:


1.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2006
Sun, 09-07-2008 - 1:33pm

Definitely the issues. The difference is that I have taken the time to find out where *I* stand on the issues. Then, I try to find a candidate that matches that as closely as possible (based on their platform, their prior actions/votes, etc...). It's never perfect.

I think the difference is that a lot of people think they're voting on the issues. *BUT* they're voting for the candidate who makes his view on the issues sound/look the best.

A lot of American voters haven't taken the time to really research the issues and find out where they stand. Then a very eloquent and stylish person comes along, and, all of a sudden, the voter thinks, "Yes!! That's what I believe, too!" When, really, if they looked closer at the issues and not how the issues were presented, they would find that it might not actually be what they believe.

And I promise I'm not pointing out Obama here. Yes, he's a very eloquent candidate. However, I'm thinking more of the great charismatic leaders of the past: Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton... I think all three of them were probably voted into office based more on their charisma than their policies. Thankfully, each of them had a few good policies in their pockets, as well as a handsome face and soothing voice. :)

Ever since the media became such a huge factor in political campaigns, the races have gotten progressively more focused on a candidate's personal appeal as opposed to their stance on issues.

Does that make sense? I think most voters would tell you that they're voting based on the issues. However, I'm not sure that all of those voters really understand the issues, aside from how the candidate has promoted the issue.







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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Sun, 09-07-2008 - 3:56pm

Yes and i understand and i agree. understanding the main reason is not simple. the issues and the political party can also be confounded, but i always ask myself: would i vote for this person if there was no party involved? have i really listened to their stance on the issues?

honestly, sometimes the answer is no to both questions. but makes me read and listen more - and ignore the pundits.

Bea