Just curious...

[battgyrll]

WARNING: I do not want this to turn into a political debate where we argue about parties and issues and values that each party holds. That is not my intent so please try not to make it into that.

Anyway, this goes for all everyone of voting age in every country:world here in the :bowl.

Have you ever voted for a candidate? Let me clarify what I mean. I was having a conversation with my mom the other day, and she mentioned that she had only once, in her entire voting age life, voted for a candidate, rather than against the other one. And it was in a primary. And he didn't win.

I thought about my own voting history. I've only been able to vote in one major election so far, and I think I would say I voted for him, not against the other guy. Smaller elections I can definetly say I voted for someone and I wonder what the defference is.

Maybe it's pessimistic, but I think some people are looking for the perfect candidate, one that fits every single one of their ideas. And I don't think that's out there. So I think most of the time people do end up voting against a condidate instead of for one.

So anyone? Ever voted for a candidate?

:bat battgyrll :bat
Sara

[Millificent]

Wow, that's an interesting question!

This year I'm definitely voting against a Presidential candidate, rather than for one. In the previous elections, I'd say I was voting for a party rather than a specific person.

The last Congressional election, I did vote for Connie Morella. I really liked her and wanted her to stay in office. Unfortunately, she lost :sad

:dragon Millie

[savagesoprano]

that is an excelent point you're making, but I don't believe it's black and white. Thsi election, I want a candidate to win, but i also don't want the other to win.

[bellydancer]

I think the first presidential election I voted in, I voted *for* a candidate. Other than that, I'm not sure.

I have met politicians that I've wished I could vote for, but been unable to because they were either retired or I didn't live in their district.

Last February, I did cast my vote on an issue that I believed in because I truly believed in it after I considered the arguments. The interesting thing was, it was the opposite of the way I thought I would vote when the issue came up.

[battgyrll]

savagesoprano,

I totally agree with you, that usually if you feel strongly enough to vote for a condidate you are definitely voting against the other(s). But I guess, to put it more simply, in the last election (I know you aren't of legal voting age yet) did you vote for Bush or against Gore? And in this election, will you vote for Bush or against Kerry (I hope you don't mind me using you as an example, you have made it pretty clear in other posts as to who you're voting for:winky).

The end result is the same, but the means is what I'm asking about. Does that make sense?

:bat battgyrll :bat
Sara

[ribbon]

I voted for Gore in the last election.
I am voting against Bush in this election.
Kerry is an ok candidate and he will be much better than the present administration. He was my third choice for democratic candidate because he's too conservative for me on some social issues. Overall I agree with most of his policies, but in all honesty, I can't say that I'm voting for him as much as against Bush.

[the_dragonfly]

Interesting point, one I've discussed with friends in RL previously.

I always vote Green, with preferences to Labour.
I try to vote against parties such as One Nation.

This year, I'm not so sure.
Generally speaking, I'm against Liberal's American Ass Kissing (no offense, US fishies, but it's hard enough being part of another country (being part of the Monarchy) without surrending our identity to the US as well, which is what Howard seems hell bent on doing).

Howard's also lied about so many important issues, I cannot see how, with a conscience, I could vote for such a party.

However, I'm a bit concerned about Mark Latham's lack of explanation re where the money's gonna come from.
He seems a little.. unsure of himself as a leader, which, but, to be honest, I'll still probably vote for Labour, because, as yet, Labour have yet lied to me in my life time the way the Liberal party has done in the last few years. (Let's forget Latham's dubious history of beating up a taxi driver and calling the PM an Ass Licker over his stance with the US :winky - I'm sure he'll come good!)

Typically, in Australia, we'll always be a labour or a liberal governed country - usually Labour seems to be the lesser of the two evils here, so Voting Green with preference to Labour is both a conscience vote, and a realistic one.

In answer, I guess I do both - vote for the party I want, but know I'll never get, and vote against the party I don't want.

[Rosey]

Recently in the UK, the racist 'British National Party' has been gaining popularity. This has spurred many people on, including myself, to vote against them at every opportunity. Recently, we also voted for a european member of pariliment, and, again, I voted against a party I feel to be racist.

I think you're right, Sara - I've almost always voted against a candidate or party, and only once did I vote for labour.

[gudinne]

This is really interesting.

Just the other day I was talking w/friends about how much this election is characterized more by people moving away from things than toward things. Personally I hate election years when my best choice seems like the lesser of two evils instead of the right person.

Here's an interesting social experiment to ponder:

What if our voting ballots allowed us to still cast one vote, but we had the option of voting AGAINST a candidate if we didn't feel compelled to vote FOR either one? I wonder what we would decide about how someone would win an election.

I bet the percentage of folks showing up for the polls would skyrocket.

[savagesoprano]

It's funny, because I've always liked Bush, and although Kerry isn't my favorite person in the whole world, I don't feel that I would vote against him as much as for Bush. Is Bush perfect? No, of course not. But in many important issues I think he is doing the right thing, and the truth is that I would feel safer with him in office.

[urbanfaerie]

My highschool civics teacher said to "Vote for the lesser of two evils, but above all vote."

I wholeheartedly voted for our last two term president, and even STILL knowing what we know now, I'd vote for him again.

Usually I'm voting for the candidate that claims to have the views I hold on a few key issues. This election, I'm not too thrilled with my choices, well, on one end I'm ready to emmigrate to Canada, (I have a willing groom lined up! :winky) and on the other, I'm voting to I HOPE keep some positives in place that haven't been gotten rid of yet.

On Inauguration Day I AM HOPING that:
The Global Gag Order is LIFTED(like it was under Clinton on HIS inauguration day) and that the ban on stem cell research with federal funds is lifted. I'll be a happy camper that day.

Heather

[Anakalia]

That is a very interesting question ... I know I have definitely voted for a candidate. Being the Republican that I am ...

I voted for Bush in two thousand
I voted for Arnold for the Governor of California
I will vote for Bush in November
I will vote for my current Congressman, Rohrabacher, this November also.

The only time I can remember voting for the "lesser of two evils" was when it was Davis vs. Simon for California Governor.

[gone]

yes, i always vote for a candidate. i read up on them ahead of time and make a decision before i go to the polls.

i've never voted against a candidate. i just don't think that hate for a particular candidate is enough motivation to get people out to the polls. it defintely didn't happen in the NY senate campaign with Hillary and Lazio. Lazio ran as the "I'm not Hillary candidate" and altho he got a good chunk of the votes, he lost. I can see that happening in this presidential election as well. Just my two cents :winky