Political Poll

[NaughtyGeek]

I think the poll is pretty straight forward. I ask the question based on a number of responses I've seen lately stating that people won't vote for someone simply because of their party affiliation regardless of their voting record or accomplishments. I personally feel that's silly and will be casting my vote based on the character of the candidate as is evidenced by their voting record and ability to answer questions during the debates rather than deflect them to some canned party response or message on an unrelated subject.

 

[Craig234]

I don't see my choice; I vote for the world and the country, and I see the democrats as far better for both.

I guess I'll vote "Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because recent Republicans have not performed well.", but it doesn't really say that. Where's the 'vote for country' choice the title refers to?

 

[NaughtyGeek]

Originally posted by: Craig234
I don't see my choice; I vote for the world and the country, and I see the democrats as far better for both.

I guess I'll vote "Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because recent Republicans have not performed well.", but it doesn't really say that. Where's the 'vote for country' choice the title refers to?

IMO, if you're voting simply based on party affiliation, you are doing a disservice to the country and yourself. You're voting based on a word and it's perceived meaning rather than whether or not a candidate actually follows the doctrine implied by their party affiliation. From what I've seen in recent history, I don't believe either side of the aisle represents the ideals their part represents.

 

[MrPickins]

I have always been, and will most likely continue to be, an independent.

 

[nageov3t]

I vote for the candidate that I think would do the best job.

of course, there's a lot of factors into deciding what "the best job" is, and of course, party does factor into that, simply because each party runs on different platforms.

I'm a pro-war socialist who believes that government-sponsored abortions should be performed on every street corner and that there should be a condom dispenser in every pre-school, so naturally, I typically vote Democratic.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

I'm a pro-war socialist who believes that government-sponsored abortions should be performed on every street corner and that there should be a condom dispenser in every pre-school, so naturally, I typically vote Democratic.

Nice

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
I have always been, and will most likely continue to be, an independent.

Won't you need to change to a party (at least for a little while) to caucus/vote in a primary?

 

[Fern]

I vote more on issues that I think are important to the country. My issues, fiscal restraint, Iraq and border control. (I think income taxes are OK now and should basically be left alone).

I might like to see a "Big Idea" or two being promoted, but this might not be the time to implement anything "Big" because our plate is full enough already (Iraq & lack of border control for example). But maybe we can at least get some meaningful dialogue going. I like Kucinch's universal payer idea for health care, and the Dem's idea for eliminating the cap of wages for SS tax (with the gap for upper middle income people).


Fern

 

[Moonbeam]

Yes, I will vote Republican simply because I'm a Republican.

No. I will vote for a Republican who runs against a Democrat who voted for the war as I did in the last congressional election, provided the Republican won't win. If the Republican could win I will have to read up more on them to decide which is the lesser of two evils.
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Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because I'm a Democrat.

Nope, as I said, I vote against Democrats who supported the war.
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Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because recent Republicans have not performed well.

How could a Republican perform well. Republicans have a mind set that is authoritarian and absurd.
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Yes, I will vote Republican simply because the Democratic congress has not performed.

Yup, if the Democrat voted for the war. I would rather have a real psycho than a phony because you can't trust a phony whereas you know what you will get with a Republican.
----------------
No, voting based on political affiliation is silly. A vote should be cast based on the individuals political voting record as well as his ideals.

Nope, voting on political affiliation may be silly but because you always vote, not for anybody who is worth much, but always the lesser of two evils, you wind up voting mostly Democratic.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: NaughtyGeek

Originally posted by: Craig234
I don't see my choice; I vote for the world and the country, and I see the democrats as far better for both.

I guess I'll vote "Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because recent Republicans have not performed well.", but it doesn't really say that. Where's the 'vote for country' choice the title refers to?

IMO, if you're voting simply based on party affiliation, you are doing a disservice to the country and yourself. You're voting based on a word and it's perceived meaning rather than whether or not a candidate actually follows the doctrine implied by their party affiliation. From what I've seen in recent history, I don't believe either side of the aisle represents the ideals their part represents.

That's the thing, I'm not, but it would look that way to you.

I want things like peace and prosperity, and look at what I think we need to do to get them, and then I look at who is running, and I see the democrats far closer to what I think is right.

If they change their platform, if the republicans change theirs, if individual candidates don't fit the profile, I'll look at voting differently - but one caveat, I'm aware that majority power means a lot, and voting for even a bad democrat helps the democratic part overall have the majority in congress, and as long as I think the democratic party in general is doing much better, that's a good reason to vote for even a bad democrat.

That's not a "partisan" position; partisan would be more about choosing to vote democratic and then seeing what I voted for, or ignoring the facts about the parties to pick one.

It's the same basic process as those who vote a mixed ticket, but just with different opinions on the issues, which is no more 'partisan'. There are 'partisan moderates' too...

 

[piasabird]

Is there a none of the above?

I may just write in my own name.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: NaughtyGeek

Originally posted by: Craig234
I don't see my choice; I vote for the world and the country, and I see the democrats as far better for both.

I guess I'll vote "Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because recent Republicans have not performed well.", but it doesn't really say that. Where's the 'vote for country' choice the title refers to?

IMO, if you're voting simply based on party affiliation, you are doing a disservice to the country and yourself. You're voting based on a word and it's perceived meaning rather than whether or not a candidate actually follows the doctrine implied by their party affiliation. From what I've seen in recent history, I don't believe either side of the aisle represents the ideals their part represents.

That's the thing, I'm not, but it would look that way to you.

I want things like peace and prosperity, and look at what I think we need to do to get them, and then I look at who is running, and I see the democrats far closer to what I think is right.

If they change their platform, if the republicans change theirs, if individual candidates don't fit the profile, I'll look at voting differently - but one caveat, I'm aware that majority power means a lot, and voting for even a bad democrat helps the democratic part overall have the majority in congress, and as long as I think the democratic party in general is doing much better, that's a good reason to vote for even a bad democrat.

That's not a "partisan" position; partisan would be more about choosing to vote democratic and then seeing what I voted for, or ignoring the facts about the parties to pick one.

It's the same basic process as those who vote a mixed ticket, but just with different opinions on the issues, which is no more 'partisan'. There are 'partisan moderates' too...

And therefore, you're not. I understand your logic and can at least respect your vote based on it even if I personally feel the logic is flawed. I will have to admit however that your logic is something that I would never have considered and helps me understand a little more why people would merely vote for the party of their choice. Thank you for helping me learn something today.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: MrPickins
I have always been, and will most likely continue to be, an independent.

Won't you need to change to a party (at least for a little while) to caucus/vote in a primary?

Texas has a "semi-closed" primary.

Semi-closed. Like in closed primaries, registered Republicans and Democrats can vote only in their own party's primary. However, semi-closed systems allow unaffiliated voters to participate as well. Depending on the state, independents either make their choice of party primary privately, inside the voting booth, or publicly, by registering with either the Republican or Democratic Party on Election Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_election

Technically whichever primary ballot I pick up determines my party affiliation, but it's a meaningless label as far as I'm concerned.

 

[electronicmaji]

im voting libertarian

 

[Jaskalas]

It?s a set of weighted values.

Foreign policy,
Immigration,
Government Reform.

Republicans are horrible on all 3 key issues, Democrats are worse than them on all 3. Lose/Lose, vote for the lesser of two evils.

Originally posted by: electronicmaji
im voting libertarian

Who is the candidate?

 

[blackllotus]

Originally posted by: NaughtyGeek

Originally posted by: Craig234
I don't see my choice; I vote for the world and the country, and I see the democrats as far better for both.

I guess I'll vote "Yes, I will vote Democrat simply because recent Republicans have not performed well.", but it doesn't really say that. Where's the 'vote for country' choice the title refers to?

IMO, if you're voting simply based on party affiliation, you are doing a disservice to the country and yourself. You're voting based on a word and it's perceived meaning rather than whether or not a candidate actually follows the doctrine implied by their party affiliation. From what I've seen in recent history, I don't believe either side of the aisle represents the ideals their part represents.

I agree with your point in general, however political party affiliation is generally a good indicator of a candidate's views (Ron Paul being a notable exception). I am anti-war, pro-choice, hardcore pro-stem cell research, and pro-allowing gay marriage. For all intensive purposes that means I vote democrat for the time being. Now, I do pay attention to politics so if something weird came up I could conceivably vote republican or third party (like Romney running as a democrat and Obama as a republican without changing their views). However if you asked me if I would vote for a democrat or a republican for president without telling me the candidate, I would tell you democrat without feeling uncomfortable. That could very well change in 5 or 10 years.