Rating the Candidates on the Really Important Criteria

Why is it that we blog about the candidates views on the issues and rate them according to their answers to the pressing problems of the day. We premise our vote for a particular candidate on their stated political stands. But what really is important in the big picture of politics and candidates?
Shouldn’t we be asking some questions about the candidates themselves?

Let us inquire if the candidates:

Remember their personal background history as it was, not as they wish it was?
Tell the truth no matter the consequences?
Have actually run a business successfully or worked at a job successfully?
Have actually accomplished something in elective office?
Have actually done something promised when campaigning for office?
Have not flipped and flopped on the issues?

Whether Democrat, Republican or Independent we somehow we tend to overlook the really important criteria for our potential government officials and just assume our favorite candidate has none of the personal faults or defects of the other candidates. There are some good people running for public office, just make sure you seek out truthful answers to the really important criteria and don’t get flummoxed by debate and blather about qualifications and issues when legitimacy and character are not to be found.

Comments

[amac]

As long as the candidate isn't obviously disqualified for the office he/she is seeking, most voters base their vote either on partisanship or on which candidate presents as most likeable. I agree it would be nice if we, the voters, did the research necessary to answer the questions you raise but in the real world most people rely on the media to do it for them. That said, it remains true that the informed voter is the best voter.

[amac]

As long as the candidate isn't obviously disqualified for the office he/she is seeking, most voters base their vote either on partisanship or on which candidate presents as most likeable. I agree it would be nice if we, the voters, did the research necessary to answer the questions you raise but in the real world most people rely on the media to do it for them. That said, it remains true that the informed voter is the best voter.

[Dave Woods]

You can say that again, Amac.

[Jerry Scarborough]

Victor, I absolutely agree. And, to that end Katie Couric and the CBS news has been asking those really hard questions this year. Questions about infidelity ( a tough one for Hillary), and good/bad advice. Things that really matter when we elect the next leader of the free world. Praise be to the mass media!

But, I feel a little guilty here. I've watched some of the answers to those stupid questions. And, I think I've actually learned something about the candidates from them. It really didn't have much to do with the questions. But, I thought Obama, and McCain were the most thoughtful, and introspective in their answers. Edwards, and Romney were the most shallow. And the others were somewhere in between.

These things still mean less to me than the big issues. But, character does matter. And, in a tie breaker, maybe the little silly stuff can still serve a purpose.