<p>I’ve had this discussion with several people and after thinking about it, they pretty much agree with me. It seems more and more we are not voting for the candidate as much as we are the party he represents. </p>
<p>Candidates really aren’t free to express their true views and beliefs. Candidates pretty much have to uphold everyone of the party’s basic tenets in order to be successful and win the nomination. In the last 40 years has there been a Democratic candidate that was anti-abortion? Has there been a Republican candidate that was pro-life? Could a Republican come out and say that they want to add social programs and expand the welfare system? Would a Democrat get away with saying they didn’t believe in gay marriages?</p>
<p>I’m not sure I chose the best examples. This isn’t meant to be a partisan discussion. I really believe that with the way the candidates are forced into pigeonholes by their party’s that they can’t truly be themselves. Unless a candidate truly distinguishes himself from the party as a whole most folk that identify with a party will vote that party line. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Hanna, what I am saying is that the party so completely dictates the candidates policies. How many candidates are in direct conflict with their parties policies. I find it hard to believe that all of the very intelligent folks who run for public office all have the same basic beliefs, across the board. If that is the case maybe we need more free thinkers.</p>
<p>That’s what third parties are for…and look how successful that has been.</p>
<p>There are basic policy differences between the two major parties, so that’s going to provide a basic sorting of candidates.</p>
<p>Beyond that, I’m pretty sure a candidate has some wiggle room. But yeah, it wouldn’t make sense for an anti-abortion candidate to be a Dem.</p>
<p>Overall, I vote for the candidate who best represents my views, and has a shot at winning. I’ve given up on third party, even though I think that ultimately, that’s to the detriment of the country.</p>
<p>Many voters are truly Independents. Some may lean in a certain direction (conservative or liberal), but most of us have personal issues that are critical to us at any given time. We don’t vote for the party, we vote for what we believe is important, and for the candidate who best represents that belief.</p>
<p>For example, I have a son who will be an army officer for the next few years. A candidate’s policy that I personally think will insure his safety will probably get my vote. That particular policy may have no impact on the Independent voter down the street. I also have a daughter with a chronic illness. Clearly certain aspects of health care are near and dear to my heart based on personal experience. </p>
<p>That said, in addition to some personal issue considerations, I do think that many people also consider the personality and perceived ethical behavior of a particular candidate when they actually vote.</p>
<p>I think that maybe 20% (may be as few as 10%) of the voters are truly independent and base each election soley on the candidates. I think the other 40% align with one party or another (to varying degrees). Perhaps I put this the wrong way. My thinking is that the candidates wouldn’t get nominated if they didn’t say they believed in the basic core tenets of each party. McCain couldn’t come out and say he was in favor of a woman’s right to choose, even if he really was. He would be a candidate without a party so he is forced to uphold it.</p>
<p>McCain had a lot more views in opposition to his party until he became a candidate. I believe Giuliani is pro-choice. Schwarzenegger is pro-choice (sort of). I would be happy to vote for a Republican but I think any Republican who agrees with me would be a Democrat. Some of my family members would argue that they would be Communists.</p>
<p>That is exactly my point. To become the candidate you have to compromise your true beliefs. I’m not sure Guiliani or Ah-nold would have ever gotten the nomination (yes, I know the governator isn’t eligible) because of their pro-life stance. So we don’t really get to vote for the candidate in total.</p>