Why people vote for a particular candidate
 

So...there's been a lot of stuff in the news about Clinton and Obama. People are saying that Oprah "betrayed womenkind" because she endorsed Obama; feminists say that voting for Obama means continuing sexism. Do you think it's acceptable to vote for Clinton BECAUSE she's a woman, or for Obama BECAUSE he's black?

Oprah betrayed womankind.....that has me CTFU!! So.....I guess all of the men in America should vote for Obama.

It's just weird, because if a woman says she's voting for Hillary because she's a woman, a lot of people think that's showing solidarity for womankind. If someone votes for Obama because he's black, then it's showing loyalty to the community. If someone votes for McCain because he's a white male, then the voter is a racist, sexist pig.

So crazy.

Personally, I've gotten caught up in the Obamania.

Naw, he is just fugly and I couldn't vote for a fugly candidate... ;) :D http://www.pledgepark.com/images/smilies/lol.gif http://www.pledgepark.com/images/smilies/laughing.gif

I think it depends.

Plenty of people, I'm sure, will vote for Obama SOLELY because he's black, or for Clinton because she's a woman, or for Romney because he's a Mormon.

However, I think others will vote for Obama because he's black and they're black and thus there is a likelihood that they have similar concerns. I think this is more likely in a religious context, especially one that is as close knit as LDS. However, I think it can reasonably apply in gender/race contexts as well, albeit, IMO, less likely.

I'm a white male voting for McCain, but I'd happily vote for Obama or Clinton if I thought they'd be successful leaders who would represent my values and protect the things I care about. I don't, so I'll vote for the old white dude.

While this is true, you'd think instead of saying "I'm voting for him because he's black", people would say, "I'm voting for him because I support his views on health care / the war / personal freedoms."

Are you fugly like McCain is? JUST KIDDING!!!!

I am rather bothered by these "superdelgates"... The term has become popular during this "Election Season"... I am wondering if it will be another "long hot summer" with outside agitators... Like Chicago, 1972...

Oh sure, if you're putting it out there, then I believe they're probably voting for him simply because they're of the same race. I'm referring to the overwhelming support among black folks for Obama and Mormons for Romney; the unexplained results and polling numbers. I think it has to be bifurcated somewhat, because those are pretty natural candidates for those respective demographics.

Also, I think another factor is ignorance/apathy, because those who don't know what Barack Obama stands for (paging Susan Sarandon--sorry, had to) probably can't legitimately say "oh, well we're both black and he cares about these black issues that are important to me." Of course, then you get into whether or not they're simply shielding a simple and true response "because he's mormon like me" with alternate support which wouldn't be sufficient for other candidates.

C'mon, if I was THAT ugly I'd vote for Hillary Clinton...

http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics..._070813_ms.jpg

Michelle needs to get her "edges" done...

http://www.bilerico.com/2007/07/HillaryClinton.jpg

It's like, "I'd shave it's butt and teach it to walk backwards..."

Hill needs more botox...

some people are voting for Obama because, he's refreshing, he's clean cut and because...... he speaks so well.....

One can always go suicide voting because they want to see the same ol' BS coming out of Washington

Yeah, like he's bright, very articulate and appears safe... Not like the rest of that riff raff... ;)

so...if you were to vote for him...why would you, Monet?

To Barack the Vote!!! :D

I'd love to see a woman president - to show that it's not only other countries, with much more immediate (if not more far-reaching) problems, that can do it. I'd love to see one. But NOT this one. This one does NOT stand for a single thing I believe in.

Nor does Mr. Obama.

Both are closer on some issues, but not the issues that I believe will be a priority over the next few years.

Voting for someone because of the genitalia s/he was born with, or the color of his/her skin, is asinine.

Of course, this years' primary caused me to vote for the person I thought would make the least bad Supreme Court nominations. That was all I had to believe in.

Sure would like to vote FOR someone again.

I despise Hillary Clinton. I think she's a horrible human being. That is clouding my vision of her, though I do realize that she and Obama have similar positions.

I prefer all of Obama's positions to hers and I strongly prefer his plans for our foreign policy. However, I am not satisfied with any of the candidates' positions on gay marriage because gay marriage is marriage and should be treated as such.

I'm not a democrat or a republican, but I strongly support Obama. I wouldn't vote for him for his race and I wouldn't vote for Clinton for her gender. I realize that having a democrat in office will cause people in my income bracket to suffer, but I'd rather suffer to provide for less fortunate Americans.

I'm voting for Stephen Colbert because I dislike McCain, Obama, and Clinton.

I like capitalism too much to vote for a Democrat.:D

I realize people have issues with Hillary Clinton, but wow, this is a strong statement. How has she, as just a human being, been "horrible"?

1) At the top of my list is the way she has talked about her marriage. She put up with Bill Clinton's nonsense (not just what we heard about) because they have an arrangement. She would support him politically notwithstanding his disrespectful actions because he agreed to support her when it was her turn to grow politically.

2) Her campaign tactics are despicable.

3) She’s a bad role model for women, using her gender for her own political purposes.

4) She’s insincere and has a nasty personality.

5) She’s absolutely power-hungry and doesn’t care about the people (back to the insincerity).

I can't support people I don't respect.

I pretty much agree with everything in here, especially the bolded.

Also, none of them have come out strongly in favor of DC Statehood. That and marriage equality are my primary issues.

LOL. Capitalism won't go away. That "universal health care/education" jargon is just jargon.

Or did you mean that you like exploitation and inequality under capitalism too much to vote for a Democrat?

I do not advocate moving too far away from capitalism toward socialism because purely socialist societies haven't worked out that well. I do, however, advocate measures to address the exploitation and inquality under capitalism. We can still have a haves/have nots without this wealthy nation having soooo many people who are struggling to make ends meet.

****

I don't know who I'm voting for yet. Might be a Dem, though. I see nothing wrong with race or gender being the icing on the cake for your vote. As long as you have a cake to put icing on--be able to explain your decision (to yourself) with more than "change and race or gender" rhetoric. Afterall, we are only discrediting race and gender-based decisions now that there aren't only white males to choose from. But that won't stop many whites/white males from voting for a white or white male candidate because it's a safe bet this time around, either.

Unless social mobility is impossible (which it is not) then I see no reason for the government to interfere with people's personal finances. I just can't stand the Democrats continually targeting the "wealthiest 1%" with all of their pointless tax proposals. They make the wealthiest 1% out to be evil or something just because they have been successful in life, my generation would call them "playa haters.":D
I am in favor of the fair tax and cutting government spending for just about everything. Just putting a simplified tax structure in place would save the government from the cost of running the IRS. The fair tax is the best solution to poverty since hard work.
To each their own though.

Wouldn't that need to be an amendment to the constitution?

I'm standing behind Clinton because I feel like she is more capable of the current Dem. candidates. Yes, fancy words can inspire, but words are just words when there is no action behind them. And a promise is a comfort to a fool. Even though she is not the most popular person, I still feel like she is more about business. I find her having a very difficult time expressing that effectively due to trying to stay in the game at all. I will admit am also a very big feminist and I am so excited to have a woman!:D I also don't just her relationship with her husband because I'm not it it and it's not my business.

I wouldn't vote for Barack Obama and I am missing Edwards' angle in the debates. (And if he pops up as so-and-so's VP cand. I will not be very happy).

As far as the black angle for me...no one's really addressing it, so if someone only votes based on color they are just being a not very smart voter. No one's seems to be really addressing the black voters outside of church speeches, salons, or fried chicken parlors :rolleyes: I don't feel like it's going to be dealt with much at all unfortunately...:(

Ultimately, yes.

because of the city's special designation as a Federal District?

otherwise it would just be voted in like all the others were, right?


anyway, I'm a single issue voter now. I don't think there will be another candidate I agree with on more than 50% of the issues. I would vote for Obama over McCain, but would vote for Ron Paul over Obama.

So actually that's voting in favor of people by default. The last person i voted for was Gen. Wesley Clark.

Sorta.... it would also require the repeal of the 23rd amendment (which gives DC electors).

Dealt with in what way specifically?

And have you been paying attention to Tavis Smiley lately?

Obviously whether you're taxed sufficiently or not has nothing to do with helping other people. You're free to distribute your own money how you choose to do so.

I'll vote for McCain because he is closer to my views on foreign policy, the war, taxation, and abortion/gay marriage. The overarching emphasis for me is the candidate that will best promote a culture of personal responsibility, and that is McCain, in my opinion (among the major candidates).

My attitude toward "personal responsibility" has changed over time. I used to be opposed to social/human service programs (welfare, job skills upgrade, transportation vouchers, child care subsidies, etc.) because I believed everyone should be responsible for taking the necessary steps to get what they need.

This attitude changed when I began working face to face with the people who are in need of these programs. Every single one of them is in need of some direction and education as to how to set goals for themselves and access the assistance they need to become self-sufficient. It's not an issue of laziness for the vast majority of people. It's an issue of ignorance. Those of us who have the knowledge to give have a responsibility to give it.

Taxes play a huge part in our country's ability to sustain programs necessary to bring people to self-sufficiency. Of course we are personally able to distribute our money as we choose, but how is my little pittance of a donation (I donate regularly to charities) going to make an impact without the donations of millions of other people? It's not.

Unfortunately, our government has the most resources and the greatest ability to collect mass amounts of money to distribute it. I wish it were not so, but because it is, I'd rather the government receive and distribute a small portion of my income across different programs.

So you support that we may be in Iraq for God only knows how long and will be sending them more money that takes from programs here in the US needed to help people here....is that correct?


You are also for banning abortions and banning gay marriages also?


just asking...

I've asked people to explain where they're getting this idea from. Personally, I think it's strictly coming from the media and from Clinton. What type of action are you looking for exactly? Do you want action as a national official? He's got that as a senator. You only have to do some digging to learn more about what he's done for you. Do you want action in the private sector? Again, there is information out there for your perusal.

While there are downsides to Obama as a president, this is simply not one of them.

The government is highly ineffective at many things, social welfare programs being among those. They also have standards for such programs that don't satisfy those of the citizens who are forced to contribute.

I'm opposed to governmental redistribution of wealth. I'm for individual redistribution of wealth. I feel individuals are better equipped to discern the needs of the less fortunate.

I support us accomplishing our mission in Iraq. Whether it is possible, I'm not sure. All I know is that pulling out now would simply engender even more hatred towards the US, and provide an unregulated breeding ground for terrorism. So yes, I support our mission out of concern for future foreign relations and national security.

I'm conflicted about abortion, to a degree. I'm fundamentally opposed to abortion, but I'm not totally sure what I would do if I was the deciding vote. I prefer the "hearts and minds first" method, but I suspect I would vote to ban abortion procedures where the life of the mother was not at stake. I don't have an opinion on rape/incest exceptions, I wouldn't be fundamentally opposed to them.

I'm against gay marriage. I believe two men or two women don't fulfill the requirement for marriage. I'm not against civil unions, but I'm certainly not an advocate for them. I have no problem with gay couples receiving benefits that often accompany traditional marriage. I'm not a single issue voter, but if I were, this certainly wouldn't be it.

Amendments dont involve the president, you would need it to pass through congree and then be ratified at a special convention by the states.

As a DC resident, I am well aware of this.

The active support of a sitting president would be invaluable in this process.