What will you base your vote on?
 

After reading some of the other threads about this election year, I am curious as to what people generally base their vote on.
Do you have core items that you always vote on, or do they vary from election to election?

What are the top three issues on which you will be basing your vote in the 2008 Presidential Election?

For me, they are:
1. Education
2. Economy / Domestic Agenda
3. Social Issues (ie - equal rights, abortion, stem cells, etc.)

My objectives change from election to election, and thus, my choice of candidates changes. Back in 2000, I was on the McCain bandwagon. I love his no nonsense approach to the government, and even though I don't agree with him on a few issues, I deeply respect him. When Bush won the Republican nomination, I chose Gore. I didn't really like Gore in the beginning, but I figured he was better than Bush, and he did mirror a great number of my beliefs. In 2004, I supported Clark initially, but then moved to support Kerry when it was clear he would be the Democratic nominee. I HATE Bush policies.

This year, my big issues are 1) the Iraq war. It's personal for me. My husband has had to leave 3 times already and I hate it. I've also lost a really good friend. 2) the economy and domestic policies-- AMEND NAFTA. 3) social issues (abortion, gay marriage, etc), but not nearly to the degree of the other two.

Personality of the candidate plays a part in my preference, only to the degree that I can read that someone is trustworthy, genuine, and has leadership qualities that I admire.

Economy

Immigration

the Iraq War


and yes, they vary from year to year depending on how things look but this year is key.....

1. Education...I am not pleased with NCLB or my pay!
2. The economy...WTF?
3. The war in Iraq...We are a military family and 3 family members have already been!

Marriage equality and DC statehood

1. Sensible economic policies
2. Recognizing individual rights and liberties
3. Willingness to avoid a nanny state
4. Equality for ALL, not just white Christians

Unfortunately, this probably means going with whichever weak candidate the Republicans nominate.

Only if you promise to sew in an extra star in everybody's flag. :p

LOL..... hey, I'd waive the privilege of having a star if we could get statehood!

1. Social Issues (equal health care, women's right to choose, stem cell research, same-sex marriage, domestic partner rights)
2. Iraqi War
3. Economy
4. Affordable Higher Education and better schools
5. Repeal all conceale weapon legislation



ETA....added number 5 because I hate guns

Height

Education
War in Iraq
Taxes
Economy

I like the way you put this. This would be my list too.

I prefer shoe size. I think it's a more accurate measure.

1. Their Interpretation of The Second Amendment...

I'm a 2nd Amendment activist. I see that as part of my #2....Recognizing individual rights and liberties

^^^ To take a tangent on that note...

I moderate a facebook group called "Bring Peace to Your Neighborhood" -- long story short, I am not the founder of the group, but I wanted to continue his vision while he is...well...missing....

Anyway, so in my eyes, the intent of the group was to be an online think tank to discuss best practices among schools, governments, and non-profit organizations -- basically, to talk about what we're doing in our communities to end violence and spread peace.

So I asked a simple question like "What can we do to spread peace in our communities?"

Well this one guy -- a real douchebag -- was like GUN CONTROL! If we ban guns, then we'll have nothing but peace." Or some lunacy like that.

So me and Attractive1925 from GC (we're real life friends) were like....wtf??? We were thinking a wee bit more locally, like standing on your porch from 3 - 3:30 while kids are walking home from school....

It was at that moment I realized that I could probably never support a ban on personal weapons and such. No matter how much I love peace, I still want the right to have my own firearm if I choose.

Exactly! What about those of us who live in rural America? It only makes sense.

On a side note, I was watching the news this morning and some guy was attacked yesterday in his front yard by a coyote not even 10 minutes away from my house!!!

:eek:

I take back my smooch.

:(

Marriage equality and health care.

Yeah, baby! Washington DC has about the strictest gun laws in the country, yet one of the highest violent crime rates. When that statistic changes, I may reconsider my stance. Maybe.




ETA: Illegal immigration/retroactive claims, and Iraq are also issues with me.

Smooch me. Confiscate all firearms, melt them down and sell the metal to pay for health care.

:)
*SMOOCH*
:D

The good one is, the bad one is a stupid British SUV

Speak English

Benzgirl...save your eyes and braincells...put the fool on ignore.

Like Chris Rock said...cheap guns......expensive bullets...heh

Given party politics, I vote Democratic. As for the primaries, if I were to vote, I'd vote for who actually has a chance to win the general election - which I generally believe to be Obama - even though I think Hilliary would probably make a better president. Too much hate for her to win...people would be coming out of the woodwork to vote against her.

There are a lot of criteria, but for me it will probably come down to:

The candidate that I trust most on election day.

The biggest issue is finding someone with bipartisan ears. I think great work and ideas come from both sides of the aisle and when they work together. We need a president who will encourage that, one who is not a veto whore. I think finding a president based on issues is important, but even more important is finding a president who will manage washington so that the senate, the house, and the supreme court can do their job productively and progressively.

Excellent point. One of the things I have done this year is go to thomas.gov and look at current and past senators and congressmen. Look at their introduced legislation (that gives an idea of their prime issues) and how many cosponsors they have. That tells how persuasive they are - though it's less telling on high-profile issues.

Then look to see how many cosponsors from the other party!