Comments on: Why Candidates Refuse to Discuss Real Issues http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/ An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:17:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: CStanley http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140899 CStanley Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:38 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140899 Yep, I was agreeing with you on that. Generally I tend to apply the same standard to all, and to some extent they should all be open to that same criticism- but his membership on their board and then not filling it out sends a message that he thinks it's a good idea as long as it's not politically inconvenient for him. Personally I'd think he'd gain more by just doing it- and then scoring points by showing that the others weren't willing to do so. As I mentioned, his answers to the '04 questionnaire are right there anyway, so it's not like he'd be forced to be more specific on issues than he already has revealed with past answers. Yep, I was agreeing with you on that. Generally I tend to apply the same standard to all, and to some extent they should all be open to that same criticism- but his membership on their board and then not filling it out sends a message that he thinks it's a good idea as long as it's not politically inconvenient for him. Personally I'd think he'd gain more by just doing it- and then scoring points by showing that the others weren't willing to do so. As I mentioned, his answers to the '04 questionnaire are right there anyway, so it's not like he'd be forced to be more specific on issues than he already has revealed with past answers.

]]> By: Rudi http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140898 Rudi Mon, 19 May 2008 21:08:27 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140898 CS - I really do like McCain, but he's been on the groups board as a replacement for Barry Goldwater. While all three candidates ignored the questionnaire, McCain's being a board member sets a higher standard for him in comparison to the Demonocrats. I'm bothered by Obama's ignoring of PVS. CS – I really do like McCain, but he's been on the groups board as a replacement for Barry Goldwater. While all three candidates ignored the questionnaire, McCain's being a board member sets a higher standard for him in comparison to the Demonocrats. I'm bothered by Obama's ignoring of PVS.

]]> By: CStanley http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140897 CStanley Mon, 19 May 2008 19:55:56 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140897 Rudi, I guess I can see holding him to a higher standard in that regard, but in fairness I'd assume he didn't want to unilaterally commit to filling out the presidential questionnaire when his opponents didn't do so. At least we have McCain's responses to the '04 version for his last Senate race- and I don't think either of the Dems responded to that. Rudi, I guess I can see holding him to a higher standard in that regard, but in fairness I'd assume he didn't want to unilaterally commit to filling out the presidential questionnaire when his opponents didn't do so. At least we have McCain's responses to the '04 version for his last Senate race- and I don't think either of the Dems responded to that.

]]> By: Rudi http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140896 Rudi Mon, 19 May 2008 17:44:40 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140896 So much for the "Straight Talk Express":<br><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/04/7929_mccain_gets_the_1.html">McCain Gets the Boot From Project Vote Smart</a><br><blockquote>Project Vote Smart, the nonpartisan voter-education nonprofit, confirms today that it has kicked John McCain off its board. Mother Jones reported on Monday that PVS was prepared to make the move due to McCain's nine-month refusal to fill out its Political Courage Test. According to PVS President Richard Kimball, the nonprofit has a rule that bars nonrespondents from serving on its board.</blockquote> So much for the “Straight Talk Express”:
McCain Gets the Boot From Project Vote Smart
Project Vote Smart, the nonpartisan voter-education nonprofit, confirms today that it has kicked John McCain off its board. Mother Jones reported on Monday that PVS was prepared to make the move due to McCain's nine-month refusal to fill out its Political Courage Test. According to PVS President Richard Kimball, the nonprofit has a rule that bars nonrespondents from serving on its board.

]]> By: CStanley http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140895 CStanley Mon, 19 May 2008 17:36:23 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140895 Why would candidates discuss real issues in any more depth and clarity than they need to? One only has to look at political blogs to see that even those who consider themselves well informed are spending much, much more time talking about the horserace aspect of the campaign than they are to actual discussions of issues. Why not start asking specific questions in the blog posts- let supporters of each candidate explain where they think their candidate stands on the issues? It would be interested to see if people even understand the positions that they think they're supporting. Why would candidates discuss real issues in any more depth and clarity than they need to? One only has to look at political blogs to see that even those who consider themselves well informed are spending much, much more time talking about the horserace aspect of the campaign than they are to actual discussions of issues. Why not start asking specific questions in the blog posts- let supporters of each candidate explain where they think their candidate stands on the issues? It would be interested to see if people even understand the positions that they think they're supporting.

]]> By: runasim http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140891 runasim Mon, 19 May 2008 04:07:14 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140891 Ouch!!! Ouch!!!

]]> By: Tully http://themoderatevoice.com/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-140890 Tully Sun, 18 May 2008 23:53:39 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/19725/why-candidates-refuse-to-discuss-real-issues/#comment-140890 Excellent points on RealPolitik, the Game as She is Really Played. Excellent points on RealPolitik, the Game as She is Really Played.

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