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Forums - General - What makes a candidate electable?

Final-Fan on 22 November 2007
Eomund said:

This is my first thread, so please don't be too harsh. Here goes.

Ok, so I was just wondering what makes a person electable to public office?

I am looking for personal views and nothing too much more. Just curious is all... I'll start.

I want to see in the candidate:

1. Honesty.

2. Strong Principled Leadership.

3. Big Ideas.

4. Values that match my own.

 

I want to see these qualities in that that order as well.


You wish. Electability is determined by money, media exposure, and popularity, in that order.

But in Happy Dream Land, I would like:
1. Good Ideas
2. Dedication to the Good Ideas
3. Ability to turn the Good Ideas into policy and law

The reason I think the Republicans are so destructive is that they have the dedication and the ability, but very very bad ideas. Ron Paul has a lot more integrity than the GOP, but his ideas (though different) are just as bad.

Democrats have the good ideas (though far from 100%, of course), and some dedication, but show few signs of the ability to do anything with it. Still, I think they're a lot more likely to grow spines than the Republicans are to grow decent policy. [edit: And if they don't, do-nothings are better than enthusiastic screwups.]



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epsilon72 on 22 November 2007

Appearance.



super_etecoon on 22 November 2007

Appearance and God-Fearing.



Eomund on 22 November 2007
Final-Fan said:
Eomund said:

This is my first thread, so please don't be too harsh. Here goes.

Ok, so I was just wondering what makes a person electable to public office?

I am looking for personal views and nothing too much more. Just curious is all... I'll start.

I want to see in the candidate:

1. Honesty.

2. Strong Principled Leadership.

3. Big Ideas.

4. Values that match my own.

 

I want to see these qualities in that that order as well.


You wish. Electability is determined by money, media exposure, and popularity, in that order.

But in Happy Dream Land, I would like:
1. Good Ideas
2. Dedication to the Good Ideas
3. Ability to turn the Good Ideas into policy and law

The reason I think the Republicans are so destructive is that they have the dedication and the ability, but very very bad ideas. Ron Paul has a lot more integrity than the GOP, but his ideas (though different) are just as bad.

Democrats have the good ideas (though far from 100%, of course), and some dedication, but show few signs of the ability to do anything with it. Still, I think they're a lot more likely to grow spines than the Republicans are to grow decent policy. [edit: And if they don't, do-nothings are better than enthusiastic screwups.]


Actually you are right on this bolded issue. I say that because most people in America do not look at a person's record and principle foundation. There are a number of reasons why, but here a few: People are more interested in Pop Culture than in the future of the country. People, while not stupid, are mostly ignorant. People are not educated properly while in school. People are not taught to learn about things on their own.

I believe "Electability is determined by money, media exposure, and popularity, in that order" is true, for about half of America, and probably more than half of the world. Getting your name out there and recognition and appeal based solely on your name is very important. But my friends this shouldn't be the case!

/le sigh

 And did you really have to take a swipe at me and at the Republican Party? This wasn't about any particular party affiliation or group. sheesh... so partisan.



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http://www.fairtax.org/

Entroper on 22 November 2007

I actually agree with Final Fan's take on Democrats and Republicans. If Democrats could pull their heads out for five minutes and LEAD this country, I think it would go in a good direction.



http://entroper.no-ip.org

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Nintendownsmii on 22 November 2007
Entroper said:
If Democrats could pull their heads out for five minutes and LEAD this country, I think it would go in a good direction.

 That is kinda like saying if republicans could stop being so money-grubbing for five minutes and lead this country, it would go in a good direction.



Final-Fan on 22 November 2007

Eomund! I thought you were libertarian.

[edit: Anyway, I guess I came here fresh from other, more political threads. I wasn't the first one to name names in this thread but I apologize since that isn't where you wanted this one to go.]



Tag (courtesy of fkusumot): "Please feel free -- nay, I encourage you -- to offer rebuttal."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
My advice to fanboys: Brag about stuff that's true, not about stuff that's false. Predict stuff that's likely, not stuff that's unlikely. You will be happier, and we will be happier.

"Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." - Sen. Pat Moynihan
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The old smileys: ; - ) : - ) : - ( : - P : - D : - # ( c ) ( k ) ( y ) If anyone knows the shortcut for , let me know!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I have the most epic death scene ever in VGChartz Mafia.  Thanks WordsofWisdom! 

GameMusic on 22 November 2007

Electability is largely dictated by the media.  If the media believes somebody to be electable tons of voters will vote for them in the primaries as the candidate to beat the opposing party.  What makes the media believe?  Usually it's name recognition, momentum in polls, human interest, etc.

Bush and Hilary Clinton were declared frontrunners before anybody knew anything about them due to their names.  Gore and Bush Sr. were frontrunners because they were VPs.  Kerry got a bump and Dean screamed on TV, it's as simple as that to guess his nomination.  Obama had a huge senate win that got him in the media, and he didn't vote for the patriot act unlike the incumbents.