Stupid voting criteria
As the Presidential primaries heat up, it's really highlighted for me some of the really asinine reasons that people vote for their chosen candidate. Here's a few:
1) Race - Barack Obama got 80% of the black vote and only 25% of the white vote in South Carolina yesterday. What that tells me is that a lot of people on both sides are voting their race. That's just depressing. Is the racial divide really so deep in South Carolina? It's hard to think of a dumber reason to vote for or against someone.
2) Gender - In the New Hampshire primary and in many national polls, women in the Democratic party are skewing heavily for Hillary Clinton. That tells us that women are voting for her because she's a woman and also some men may be voting against her for that reason. Sigh. Forget actual qualifications! Is the candidate male or female? That's what counts! Stupid, stupid, stupid...
3) Home state - Candidates usually win their home states and as we saw in Michigan, Romney won in part because he grew up in Michigan. Which makes me wonder, why do people vote for President like they cheer for a sports team? It's not a freaking basketball game! You're not supposed to mindlessly support Home over Visitor!
4) Height and looks in general - In the television age (JFK and later), most Presidents have been of above average height and are not heavy set. Taft, who's weight pushed 300 pounds, wouldn't have had a chance of getting elected if he had run in a time of televisions. What does height, weight, or attractiveness in general have to do with making good decisions as President? Jack. shit.
5) I'd like to have a beer with him! - This ridiculous voting justification came to light during Bush Jr.'s campaigns. Some people supported him because he seemed like the kind of guy they'd want to join for a beer down at the neighborhood bar. Seriously? Yes. Why would your main criteria for a President be that he seems like a "regular guy"? You're electing the leader of the free world, not picking who would be the most fun on a night out with the guys. The mind boggles...
1) Race - Barack Obama got 80% of the black vote and only 25% of the white vote in South Carolina yesterday. What that tells me is that a lot of people on both sides are voting their race. That's just depressing. Is the racial divide really so deep in South Carolina? It's hard to think of a dumber reason to vote for or against someone.
2) Gender - In the New Hampshire primary and in many national polls, women in the Democratic party are skewing heavily for Hillary Clinton. That tells us that women are voting for her because she's a woman and also some men may be voting against her for that reason. Sigh. Forget actual qualifications! Is the candidate male or female? That's what counts! Stupid, stupid, stupid...
3) Home state - Candidates usually win their home states and as we saw in Michigan, Romney won in part because he grew up in Michigan. Which makes me wonder, why do people vote for President like they cheer for a sports team? It's not a freaking basketball game! You're not supposed to mindlessly support Home over Visitor!
4) Height and looks in general - In the television age (JFK and later), most Presidents have been of above average height and are not heavy set. Taft, who's weight pushed 300 pounds, wouldn't have had a chance of getting elected if he had run in a time of televisions. What does height, weight, or attractiveness in general have to do with making good decisions as President? Jack. shit.
5) I'd like to have a beer with him! - This ridiculous voting justification came to light during Bush Jr.'s campaigns. Some people supported him because he seemed like the kind of guy they'd want to join for a beer down at the neighborhood bar. Seriously? Yes. Why would your main criteria for a President be that he seems like a "regular guy"? You're electing the leader of the free world, not picking who would be the most fun on a night out with the guys. The mind boggles...
posted by Patrick at
12:29 PM
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