Voting

chweave1 · July 23, 2002 11:12AM

How many of you vote down the party line, no matter who the candidate is?

Are there some of you who just honestly don't care who you vote for, but just vote to say that you voted?

And for those who refuse to vote, why do you feel that way?

I've never voted in a presidential, gubernatorial, or congressional election, so I can't really say how I vote (I've only voted in local budget elections, and I have a varied history of being for and against the hikes).

I was just wondering how the fine people who frequent AO tend to vote from election to election.

groverat · July 23, 2002 11:23AM

I don't vote often, though I should.

I usually try to vote for a 3rd party if I can, because I loathe most Democrat and Republican politicians.

brussell · July 23, 2002 11:25AM

I vote straight democratic ticket in all the elections I can, and it ticks off people here on AI.

I used to split my ticket, and vote on personality. But I came to believe that the best predictor of politicians' behavior is party, not personality, and so the way to have the most impact is to vote a party.

fran441 · July 23, 2002 12:05PM

I generally vote 'liberal' but if there is an election where I don't know the candidates or there is just one person running, I usually blank it.

I try to keep up with politics on most levels but sometimes I just don't have enough information about a candidate to vote for them. I always know who I'm voting for in a 'big ticket election' a few weeks before I actually vote. By 'big ticket' I mean President, Senate, House, and Governor. At that point it would take a lot to make me change my mind.

[ 07-23-2002: Message edited by: Fran441 ]

outsider · July 23, 2002 12:13PM

[quote]Originally posted by BRussell:

I vote straight democratic ticket in all the elections I can, and it ticks off people here on AI.

I used to split my ticket, and vote on personality. But I came to believe that the best predictor of politicians' behavior is party, not personality, and so the way to have the most impact is to vote a party.<hr></blockquote>

That just tells me there is something seriously wrong with our system. You're telling me that even if you think the guy is a scumbag but he was a Dem you would instantly vote for him?

groverat · July 23, 2002 12:17PM

[quote]You're telling me that even if you think the guy is a scumbag but he was a Dem you would instantly vote for him?<hr></blockquote>

Sadly enough, I'm sure that's the case.

Traficant? Sure!

Condit? Absolutely!

Daschle? You bet!

ghost_user_name · July 23, 2002 12:30PM

[quote]Originally posted by groverat:



Traficant? Sure!

Condit? Absolutely!

Daschle? You bet!<hr></blockquote>

I know it's a joke but including Daschle in a list of people associated with criminal behavior is grossly unfair.

My version:

Cheney? Hell yeah!

Bush? You know it.

White? Yeah, baby.

colanderofdeath · July 23, 2002 1:18PM

I probably vote for Democrats 75% of the time. I'll vote for some Republicans or 3rd party folks on occasion, though more often for local elections. I can't recall ever voting for a Republican for a federal office, though I have voted for 3rd party candidates for the Senate before. As I've lived in some fairly liberal towns there have been some Republican candidates who swing farther left towards my politicial orientation that I find acceptable. I try to stay informed but obviously like almost everyone I have no clue about the schmucks running for water commission or community college board or what have you. Every presidential candidate that I have ever voted for has gotten more votes than his opponent.

br · July 23, 2002 1:24PM

I don't belong to a party and I will vote for the candidate that I feel best represents my interests. Most often my votes are "wasted" on third party candidates from the libertarian or green parties. Maybe 10% of the time I'll vote for either a conservative Demopublican or a liberal Republicrat.

bradbower · July 24, 2002 1:14PM

Doesn't this belong in FC?

powerdoc · July 24, 2002 3:32PM

[quote]Originally posted by bradbower:

Doesn't this belong in FC?<hr></blockquote>

No this thread is too quiet

chweave1 · July 24, 2002 4:39PM

I would have posted it in FC, but I didn't know about it until several hours afterwards... Sorry. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

madmacs · July 24, 2002 8:21PM

I now vote Republican 100%.

I use to vote for the politician, but since the Clintons, I will never ever vote for anything else besides Republican.

tigerwoods99 · July 24, 2002 8:29PM

Since I'm now voting age, I will probably become a registered Republican. However, I do like some of the 3rd party candidates in recent elections. I'm definitely not voting for a democrat though.

a10t2 · July 24, 2002 8:34PM

I'm a registered Libertarian and I vote a straight party ticket unless in a particular race there's someone who more closely reflects my opinions on the issues. Which almost never happens.

brussell · July 24, 2002 9:09PM

[quote]Originally posted by Outsider:

That just tells me there is something seriously wrong with our system. You're telling me that even if you think the guy is a scumbag but he was a Dem you would instantly vote for him?<hr></blockquote>No. But you're kind of assuming that the Republican is NOT a scumbag too.

I'm not sure what I'd do if Clinton ran again, or if I was in Traficant's district. They are both lawbreakers.

I mean, what if I voted on that basis, and so I voted for the Republican, but it turned out he or she was an even bigger scumbag than Clinton/Traficant?

The only thing you know for sure is party. And come to think of it, even that can change.

I just think the way to have the biggest impact is to vote party.

outsider · July 24, 2002 9:43PM

No. But you're kind of assuming that the Republican is NOT a scumbag too.

Well no. I know that republican have just as good a chance of being a scumbag as a democrat. Hell a third party guy might even be scumbagish. But I was asking YOU a question and since I know you vote Dem down the line, it made sense to phrase the question that way.

I'm not sure what I'd do if Clinton ran again, or if I was in Traficant's district. They are both lawbreakers.

I mean, what if I voted on that basis, and so I voted for the Republican, but it turned out he or she was an even bigger scumbag than Clinton/Traficant?

One option is to just not vote.

The only thing you know for sure is party. And come to think of it, even that can change.

I just think the way to have the biggest impact is to vote party.

Well I don't agree but we can just leave it at that. You have the right to cast your vote anyway you want and I vote the way I feel is right.

matsu · July 24, 2002 9:49PM

I either write my name on the ballot and vote for myself or I write in Coco the Gorilla and vote for her.

brussell · July 24, 2002 11:06PM

[quote]Originally posted by Outsider:

One option is to just not vote.<hr></blockquote>Yes, and that's just not an option IMO.

At least shake things up and vote for <a href="http://multimedia.natural-law.org/video/lynch/02_nlp.ram"; target="_blank">the Natural Law party</a>. (Real video)

:eek:

I always think about the song "California Uber Alles" when I see that guy speak.

paul · July 25, 2002 10:10PM

[quote]Originally posted by BRussell:

Yes, and that's just not an option IMO.

At least shake things up and vote for <a href="http://multimedia.natural-law.org/video/lynch/02_nlp.ram"; target="_blank">the Natural Law party</a>. (Real video)

:eek:

I always think about the song "California Uber Alles" when I see that guy speak.<hr></blockquote>

gotta love The <a href="http://www.deadkennedys.com/"; target="_blank">Dead Kennedys</a>

shawnpatrickjoyce · July 26, 2002 2:12PM

:eek:

MODERATORS: Please move this thread to "Fireside Chat." Thanks.

Voting

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