To Vote or Not to Vote

On negative campaigning:

“No negative campaigning, ever. I don’t mind a healthy debate, but when it comes to mudslinging - there’s no easier way for you to earn my non-vote. You’re trying to prove that you’re more trustworthy than your competitor by illustrating how your competitor is less trustworthy. Are you REALLY THAT STUPID (or is the population of my country RELALY THAT STUPID to reinforce this kind of behavior)?!”

I think your response to the notion of negative campaigning explains the problem, and your complete lack of understanding of it. Let me paraphrase what you asserted above:

“If I call BS on you, that’s constructive criticism. If someone else does it (especially someone I disagree with), then it’s negative campaigning - and just bad”

Do you see the problem yet? Heck, how would you describe your posts on Microsft Office? Are they an example of “going negative”, or an example of “constructive criticism”? It’s a serious question. Until you get the difference, I’d suggest you don’t make any negative comments, about anything, ever.

On this:

“Avoid hardline affiliation. So, you’re running on the Democratic ticket? You don’t have to remind me of that every time you open your mouth. Ultimately, it’s what you do in office and with your peers that matters. For whatever it’s worth, today’s conservatives make Barry Goldwater look like a liberal - and even Goldwater (himself) predicted that would eventually happen.”

Get over it. We have a party based system here, and that’s not going to change. It has some bad effects, but also some good ones. In particular, it tends to drive all politics toward the political center. Comparing to past versions of party labels isn’t worthwhile; back in the 19th century, Democrats (especially in the south) were free traders, while republicans wanted high tarriffs. Things change over time.

Your other points make sense - the first two: not so much.

Never, never… NEVER give up the rght and resposibility to vote. We deserve the government we elect. Yes, one can say they just do not want to vote but stop and think. It should go without saying that many have died to give you that right and resposibility to vote! Remember the red in our flag.

When you do not vote you are actually giving your vote to the person you want least to represent you. By all means let the politicians know you dislike the negative campaigning. Yes, we sometimes have to swallow hard, but swallow and VOTE. We owe it to so many.

Geek POP
Joe

I have several friends who don’t understand why I didn’t vote in the last election. In my opinion, it is not a matter of voting for Republicans/Democrats, conservatives/liberals, it’s about voting for people… and if I didn’t like the choices I had, then I don’t feel the need to just choose one.

They also don’t understand that it is a RIGHT to vote. I have a right to bear arms, but that doesn’t mean I have to have a gun (I don’t). They have no problem with that. When I say I’m not voting, the response is the exact opposite, “you HAVE to vote”. It is a RIGHT, like any other, and I can choose to exercise that right or not. It’s not up to you to tell me I HAVE to vote.

It’s interesting to note that at the same time people consistently *say* in polls that they dislike negative campaign ads, they (the ads) are effective. So, what we *say* we want isn’t always what we actually look for or respond to. Not saying it’s the case with you, Chris.

Bravo! Words of true American…Human Being. A nation built on the “spirit” of what you just said, has been flushed into a sea of political sludge. Common sense has been replaced by a competitive sense that not only masks true intentions, but also keeps us from making informed decisions about our own lives. Good job. Not many can nail thier ideals as well as this posting.

the campaigning in the state of Missouri, (I live in southern IL) is getting nasty. Not only is there the Michael J Fox issue that has hit the national news, But these two politicians are getting nasty. Then there is our governors race here in Illinois..nasty also.

It makes you wonder who is worth voting for.!!!

[...] I’ve been mulling over a post about overcoming cynicism  as the voting season comes to an end. Chris Pirillo post today about what he dislikes about campaigns, inspires me to stop mulling and write. [...]

Actually calling him Liberal would be inaccurate, but something the modern media likes to push. He does resemble if you read his writing a Libertarian.

So I was going to say, “How can anyone disagree with you Chris?” Then I read the replies. I see no similarity between what I believe you were referring to as “negative campaigns” and constructive criticism. Many negative campaigns are full of lies, innuendo, deception and trickery. A few can be said to consist of honest criticism (there’s nothing “constructive” about it — they’re not trying to “improve” their opponent, they’re trying to eliminate them). In either case the choice to go negative says something about that candidate or their supporters.

I have seen two ads, out of hundreds, that consisted entirely of stating the candidate’s views and record, plus endorsements by others. Now THAT was refreshing.

As for negative campaigns working, I’m not sure how (or if) that has been verified. Do we know that people have changed their vote based on such campaigns? Or that it gets out more votes? Or do such ads simply stick in the minds of people who would have voted exactly the same anyway? I think PR people, among others, simply pat themselves on their collective backs, claim it was “their” ads that got the candidate their position (while ignoring the ones who, using the same negative campaigning, lost), and continue to push their supposedly successful agenda during the next election.

Negativity is in the eye of the beholder: is it “compare & contrast” or is it mudslinging? Negative ads are here to stay because, unfortunately, they work. Another purpose of negative ads is to engender enough disgust so that people will stay at home rather than vote for anybody, which dilutes the voting pool. Candidates emphasize their party affiliations when they think they have a good chance to win and de-emphasize them when they are in trouble. Look at the Republican candidates who are “running away” from the President and the Democratic candidates who are emphasizing how “moderate” and “conservative” they are.However bad it may be, we have a 2-party system which is rigged to stay that way. And because of the influence of big money from big corporations and big unions we don’t always have the best choices. Papa Geek is absolutely right: We should never give up our right and duty to vote. Think of all the Americans who have died in wartime to protect our right to vote . Think of all the black and white Americans who have died here in the USA during the civil rights struggle. Being independent means that you find out as much as you can about candidates on their websites, on TV, their hard copy info, attending campaign events (very good for local candidates) and discussing the issues with your friends and loved ones before voting. I have permanent absentee ballot status& I vote at home in my pajamas a week before the election & mail the ballot on my way to work. When you don’t vote, you abrogate part of your responsibility as a citizen and you allow those who do not represent you to prevail.

Chris, for most of my life, I would have applauded your outlook on this. It’s humane, sensible, and respectful.

But something has gone horribly wrong in the country that has culminated in the doctrines of the Bush regime with no opposition and oversight by Congress. It’s the war in Iraq, the war on science, the concentration of power in the executive, the willingness to abandon Habeas Corpus, the embrace of torture, corruption, and on and on.

Compared to the negative impact of Bush rule on our nation and our planet, the annoyance of negative campaigning is a flea bite. Brush it off, please.

We have been under a concerted, and largely successful program to engineer a permanent Republican majority–through gerrymandering, voter suppression, control of lobbyists, and no-bid contracts.

Given where we are and where Bush intends to take us, the only responsible vote this year is straight Democratic. The Republicans must lose. It’s that simple.

[...] I am not usually at all into the following of any political campaigning or anything (other than to decide which of the available choices meets my beliefs) but while reading the blogs today I stumbled across this post by Chris Pirillo and thought it was quote fitting of many of the candidates that I get to choose from. [...]

To be contemplated, in the next few days…

To Vote or Not to Vote ~ Chris Pirillo
If I have the right to vote, then I also have the right to tell politicians how they can earn my vote. I’m politically independent, and will remain that way until the day I die. What do I ask for? Nothing unreas…

[...] Nick Bradbury mentioned it. Chris Pirillo blogged about it last week. Today’s the day: Who you going to vote against? [...]