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The following is a letter from my mother on how to choose a candidate. Dear Dennis,
In the midst of the 2008 election, with much information and spinning, it may become difficult to discern what information accurately depicts the positions of the candidates. A few suggestions may help us decipher truth and reality from fiction and spin. Your vote is important. Cast an informed ballot.
1. The League of Women Voters, www.lwv.org, is a nonpartisan organization, which provides nonpartisan voter education materials and information resources. Consider trying the above link as well as various state or local league websites for additional information. Primary information is posted, which you can also use as a reference for present candidate statements and positions.
2. Follow this link to the United States Senate site, which gives the voting record as well as other information regarding the senators.
3. FOCUS on ISSUES: Look at proposals for addressing issues. Stands on current problems and how to resolve them. Differentiate words, rhetoric and personality from actual plans and actions for addressing and resolving issues and problems. Realistic plans for the future. Past voting record. Understanding the history and the present situation, then moving forward with a specific strategic plan.
4. Watch the debates. Consider recording the debates so you can replay them and compare responses made during the different debates. Viewing a debate 2 or more times usually provides added insight. Observe the candidate's body language, subtle gestures and speech intonation to get added information about the candidate's response and feelings. Additionally observe a candidate's facial and body response to the opponent's answers. Do not just rely on news commentators' interpretations and opinions.
5. Listen to different news channels, radio stations and commentators. Frequently a newspaper, channel, radio station or news commentator favors a particular party and/or candidate. Keep this in mind when considering and evaluating information.
6. Include more objective information from sources such as The League of Women Voters, C-Span, public service stations, census data, voting records, the US Senate site, and first hand information.
7. How do you know whose statistics are correct? Even though each candidate offers different statistics on the same issue, in some cases maybe both candidates are correct, however in other cases this may not be true. Some questions for interpreting the candidates' statistics: How can the candidates give different statistics on the same issue? When was the data collected, what years or intervals were used? Who collected the data (was it a group or corporation with a vested interest)? What was the sample or who responded to the questions?
8. Very Important: Be aware of your own biases. If you already have a favorite, it will probably affect how you evaluate the information about your candidate as well as the other candidate(s). Try to keep an open mind, consider all information and use objectivity. |
