After Tuesday, Election Day--relief!

[BobHunt]

Please dont take this wrong, but I really wonder how many people are swayed by campaign speeches and tv commercials and handouts and mail inserts. It seems as if I have been bombarded this year with all of these and more. Do they change my opinions especially of those who are running for re election? No, not at all. I know most of them and what they have done or have not done and from that I form my opinion.
Now if I was a teenager on the streets of a big city like NYC for instance and was like one of those who was interviewed on Sean Hannity's Man on the Street program, it would be way different. He interviewed several teens the other night who didnt know the name of the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority leader. They had never heard of Condi Rice, and one teen actually thought that Bill Clinton was still our President. Whats up with teens? Have they no interest in government? Are they only interested in drugs, alcohol or sex? Its such a sad commentary when they know nothing about what happens in Washington DC.

[Joel Merrill]

Please dont take this wrong, but I really wonder how many people are swayed by campaign speeches and tv commercials and handouts and mail inserts. It seems as if I have been bombarded this year with all of these and more. Do they change my opinions especially of those who are running for re election? No, not at all. I know most of them and what they have done or have not done and from that I form my opinion.
Now if I was a teenager on the streets of a big city like NYC for instance and was like one of those who was interviewed on Sean Hannity's Man on the Street program, it would be way different. He interviewed several teens the other night who didnt know the name of the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority leader. They had never heard of Condi Rice, and one teen actually thought that Bill Clinton was still our President. Whats up with teens? Have they no interest in government? Are they only interested in drugs, alcohol or sex? Its such a sad commentary when they know nothing about what happens in Washington DC.

I'm with you. I know who I am going to vote for as soon as I know who is running. I think most people are like that. I really doubt that all that many Democrats are going to vote Republican because of Kerry's insult. There are a lot of people who just have no interest in politics and are confused by all of the terminology. I think all these adds often just confuse them more or turn them off to politics. Don't be down on teenagers just because they have no interest in politics. They are not all into drugs, alcohol and sex. There is also cars, sports and home work to name a few. If they aren't old enough to vote, why pay attention?

Joel

[David Cash]

We have an interesting race in my legislative district here in Wisconsin. Our veteran legislator is a pro-life Democrat. Her challenger is a Republican who refused to answer the right-to-life people's questions. In general I have a fairly positive view of the recumbent, but in the heat of the campaign it looked like she went too far in her accusations against the challenger with regard to another issue. (Or maybe she didn't, you just never know.) I was leaning toward the challenger after that particular ad, but I won't vote for anyone who isn't prolife unless it's for Register of the Deeds or something with no influence on the laws. It's hard to make a decision without all the facts.

I e-mailed the challenger and asked her position on abortion. I was totally surprised when she called me on the phone last night. I vote and write an occasional letter to a politician, but I'm hardly a political figure and I'm far from prominent. It was really neat to realize that in our country, someone running for office has to care enough about what an average citizen thinks to bother to call him on the phone. The candidate promised to always vote prolife; although, she sounded like she was still trying to figure out what to believe on the subject.

Anyway, I was charmed--not so much with the candidate but with our whole American idea that puts the views of an ordinary citizen as so important that candidates for public office will take time to talk to him. Our country has it's failings, but I'm still in love with the concept behind it.

David Cash

[Bob Evans]

Was the challanger ahead or behind in the polls? I think I think that might define the reason for the phone call more than anything else.

[Brad Mercer]

Our country has it's failings, but I'm still in love with the concept behind it.

David Cash

I feel exactly the same way. I showed up at a party caucus one evening back in the 80's, after the primary voting was over. There were probably only a dozen or so of us there, and the only person who knew me was a next-door neighbor. I wound up serving as a delegate to the state convention and getting to hear speeches by every major leader in the party at the time.

Another time, I wrote to my congressman about an issue on which I knew he disagreed with me. Instead of just ignoring me or sending me a weasel, waffling letter, he sent a letter that really tried to explain and defend his opposing position in a way that I could, if not embrace, at least respect.

Another time I was having trouble getting a passport because of a minor, technical problem that I couldn't seem to get resolved. I called my congressman and my passport arrived two days later.

And of course, every time a president loses re-election and shakes the winner's hand and wishes him well, I'm grateful to live in a stable democracy.

Brad

[Glenn Harris]

Another time, I wrote to my congressman about an issue on which I knew he disagreed with me. Instead of just ignoring me or sending me a weasel, waffling letter, he sent a letter that really tried to explain and defend his opposing position in a way that I could, if not embrace, at least respect.

Brad

I emailed my state legislature one time with a question about his vote on a particular issue. He sent me a canned political hack email in response that wasn't even regarding the issue I had asked him about. I sent him a followup reply and told him not to worry about it, it'd take it up with his replacement. He called and explained his vote to me. I think often times the candidates don't see the stuff and it is handled by a staffer. (-:

[David Cash]

Was the challanger ahead or behind in the polls? I think I think that might define the reason for the phone call more than anything else.

I'm not sure there are polls for representatives from northern Wisconsin in the state legislature. This race probably only covers a few mostly rural counties.

Realistically, however, the incumbent is popular and it's going to be a long shot for the challenger. I still appreciate the illustration of democracy at work, no matter who's ahead or behind.

David Cash

[Stan Hall]

Bob,

I agree it's sad that so many in our country know so little about our government. They vote on sound bites instead of understanding the issues. That's why so many campaigns get away with lies and misrepresentations.
I am amazed and and saddened that our politicians (and judges) have trod all over our Constitution and get away with it since most of the people have no clue what the Constitution actually says.
Stan

[Judy Hamilton]

.

And of course, every time a president loses re-election and shakes the winner's hand and wishes him well, I'm grateful to live in a stable democracy.

Brad

I was *lurking* and doing well with this ..until i read this one line from you Brad

and had to register to tell you that we here in North America need
to count and re-count our blessings daily. The political process does work and even if our canditate did not win when the polls closed and the votes
are tallied we need be grateful there will not be disorderly conduct with the shift of power or as with some governments, a bloody coup

Judy