[Girlie]

I always hate the election because what we hear is dictated by the media and peeps with a whole lotta money!!!!

I do really want to learn about the candidates. I feel we have some issues i.e war, healthcare and the economy that are quite serious, and I want to vote.

What do you guys think is the best way to learn about these peeps. I think the last caucus is still to come (not completely sure) so it has not been completely narrowed down.

 

[Amelia]

Check this site out, it gives you all kinds of information on all different types of political candidates

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm?PHPSES...5fd9703134694a6

 

[RED HOT ONE]

I hate election year because of all the negetive stuff they say about each other.....
Just beacause this says something about that one.......Do I really want to vote for a mudslinger......Almost makes me want to not vote at all......

 

[Girlie]

QUOTE(Amelia @ Jan 7 2004, 11:39 AM)Check this site out, it gives you all kinds of information on all different types of political candidates

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm?PHPSES...5fd9703134694a6
Great site THANKS!!! Howard Dean has the same B-day as me!!! (Just wanted to share that fun fact with y'all!)

It has soooo much info.!!!

 

[rerun]

Are you a registered Dem and will be voting in the primary? If not it really doesn't matter you might as well wait till there is only one Den cand. vs GW. What's the point in wasting your time learning all the cand. if your not going to vote in the primary.

 

[Girlie]

QUOTE(rerun @ Jan 7 2004, 11:45 AM)Are you a registered Dem and will be voting in the primary? If not it really doesn't matter you might as well wait till there is only one Den cand. vs GW. What's the point in wasting your time learning all the cand. if your not going to vote in the primary.
When is the primary? Good point!!! I think I would like to vote in that too.

 

[rerun]

Correct me if I'm worng someone but this is my take.

Primary is open only to registered DEM so they can pick there parties canidate for president. Not sure if MI has a vote or not but the first primary is in Iowa & New Hamp. By the end of those two the field of 9 will be narrowed done to one. Than that person will face off with REP canidate which in this case in GW

 

[Goose]

Michigan - FEBRUARY 7, 2004
Closed caucus
The GOP-controlled state legislature passed a bill canceling the 2004 primary, saving Michigan $7 million. As an alternative, registered Democrats will be able to vote in a closed caucus at 400 or more sites statewide, by mail or via the Internet. At this time, there are no plans for a GOP presidential caucus.
For More Info Contact: [email protected]

Typically you have to be a register democrat, registered within 30 days of the election to be eligible. I'm not exactly sure what the closed caucus voting means.

 

[PWood]

Michigan Democrats don't have a presidential primary, they vote in a Caucus. Here's some info from Associated Press.

(AP) - Information on how Michigan Democrats will choose their presidential favorites in 2004:

_Voters will have a choice of casting a ballot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at one of more than 550 caucus sites statewide; OR voting by mail; OR voting through the Internet.

_Caucus sites are available on the Michigan Democratic Party's Web site, http://www.mi-democrats.com

_To participate, voters must sign a public declaration that they are Democrats. Their declaration remains with the Michigan Democratic Party and is not an official government election record.

_Voters who cast ballots by mail or through the Internet already must be registered to vote; voters who vote at caucuses must certify they are registered voters or will be registered to vote before the November election.

_Voters can apply from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31 to vote by mail or through the Internet, and can vote as soon as they are mailed a ballot by the Michigan Democratic Party.

_Voters can cast a ballot only once. The party will have safeguards in place to prevent someone from voting more than once.

_Michigan's 128 pledged delegates will be divided among the Democratic presidential candidates once the votes are tallied sometime during the evening of Feb. 7. The people who will fill those delegate slots will be elected at party conventions in April and May.

Source: Michigan Democratic Party

 

[PWood]

Two ways to find out where the candidates stand on the issues are:

1) Check their voting record. See how they've voted on bills pertaining to the issues.

2) Watch the debates, not one, but as many as possible. PBS hosted a 2 hour debate with all but 2 (Sharpton and Clark) of the Democratic hopefulls this past weekend. It was great. Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, most of the candidates went after Howard Dean (since he is the front runner at this time). Still got lots of good info on where they all stand.

Exercise your right to vote, or the ones that do vote will decide the future for you.

 

[raind]

Very good responses so far, I think it's important that everyone participates and I hope they do. Kudos to the topic starter for caring.

Personally (at the risk of starting a flame war) I'll vote for anyone other than Bush.

 

[Goose]

QUOTE(raind @ Jan 7 2004, 01:02 PM)Personally (at the risk of starting a flame war) I'll vote for anyone other than Bush.
Reasoning?

ANYONE, how about Hillary Clinton? or Jesse Jackson?

 

[CBJ]

I didnt read through the hole thread, but heres my 2 cents.

I like GW cuz all of the leaders of the middle east are scared of him. Their all like holy shnikies that cowboy is a nut!!!! Their all more likly to do what we want them to do, how ever the economy has really sucked lately.

Still undecided.

 

[Just One More]

QUOTEWhat do you guys think is the best way to learn about these peeps. I think the last caucus is still to come (not completely sure) so it has not been completely narrowed down.

Although not always unbiased and honest, I still find the newspaper to be the best source of info for learning about candidates. As stated in an earlier post, debates are also good. It is hard though to capture within recent months of an election everything a candidate has done in the past 4 years. It is best to always pay attention (although that is tough). Remember, everybody is on their best behavior right now. But I would read the paper, watch debates, that website provided earlier is good, and I am sure you can track down previous issues on the Internet and see what candidates have done. I can tell you the worst source of information: F**ing tv ads. Ignore them. Most people vote by name recognition and not the best candidate. That is worse than not voting. So be informed and make a decision based on who you think is best. Good luck & Hope this helps

 

[samson]

George W. Bush will get my vote again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When the presidential elections come up of course.

 

[dno]

I like Wesley Clark. I think he has the right mix of compasion and leadership ability. He will bring the all the parties to the table and fix this mess in the middle east that were up to our eyeballs in. He also has a real good tax reform plan and health care policy. His campaign is really starting to take off right now. He kicks a$$ in every interview I've seen so far. Here's a link to video files of his interviews.

http://www.us4clark.com/mediaclips.html

 

[MONEYSHOT]

For everyone to remember is that both of the Detroit Newpapers are known to be liberal papers. Most of the tv news stations in the area are also. FOX, BBC America, and sometimes CNN are more even on the liberal / conservative thing.

I am not sure who I will vote for. If a good independent businessperson runs, chances are that is where by vote will be. Sick and tired of the 2 parties and their BS... I am always striving to make a difference and a change. I am a member of the Republicans for Choice, it is the party I prefer, but they are swinging way too right on many issues, if they would move a little left, more of a moderate right, I'm all for it. Voted for McCain in the primary in 2000. If Christine Todd Whitman ran for President, I would quit my job to work for her campaign without blinking an eye! Love politics....

 

[raind]

QUOTE(Goose @ Jan 7 2004, 01:23 PM)QUOTE(raind @ Jan 7 2004, 01:02 PM)

Personally (at the risk of starting a flame war) I'll vote for anyone other than Bush.
Reasoning?

ANYONE, how about Hillary Clinton? or Jesse Jackson?
Well for one thing Hillary is not running; as for JJ - he doesn't have a chance in H....not that I would vote for him anyway.

As for Dubya.... well he's a liar(Iraq among others), (and a big business puppet) - do a google search on rumsfield and saddam

He's a draft dodger, doesn't care about the environment, and he doesn't care about the majority of us working stiffs and low income or under employed.

Anyone see todays' news conference on illegal immigrants ?(oh joy they can have our low wage jobs!)

Am I bitter and cynical? you bet

 

[Goose]

QUOTE(raind @ Jan 7 2004, 03:49 PM)QUOTE(Goose @ Jan 7 2004, 01:23 PM) QUOTE(raind @ Jan 7 2004, 01:02 PM)

Personally (at the risk of starting a flame war) I'll vote for anyone other than Bush.
Reasoning?

ANYONE, how about Hillary Clinton? or Jesse Jackson?
Well for one thing Hillary is not running; as for JJ - he doesn't have a chance in H....not that I would vote for him anyway.

As for Dubya.... well he's a liar(Iraq among others), (and a big business puppet) - do a google search on rumsfield and saddam

He's a draft dodger, doesn't care about the environment, and he doesn't care about the majority of us working stiffs and low income or under employed.

Anyone see todays' news conference on illegal immigrants ?(oh joy they can have our low wage jobs!)

Am I bitter and cynical? you bet
well, I just hope you didn't vote for Bill Clinton, every one of the issues you have with GW, you can say about BC!!!

 

[raind]

typo on last post - meant I wouldn't vote for JJ
and since I'm posting (again) let's all try to get our news from not just tv/newspapers atc. One poster commented how the newspapers are liberal or left wing....( I don't think so) since most are OWNED by the major existing media empires eg: Murdock/Fox News/CNN/MSN
similar to how there only 5 big music companies.