Democratic Convention 2008

Our Friends over Daily KO’s conjured up a nice little light hearted piece - Why not it’s a nice Tuesday in September!

Select Your Ideal 2008 Presidential Candidate
by: JekyllnHyde
Sat Aug 25, 2007 at 19:46:06 PM EDT

Have you ever wondered how you can compare your positions on various public policy issues — the Iraq War, school choice, social security, stem cell research, and the like — with that of the 2008 presidential candidates? You can now go to a web site which allows you to answer over two dozen questions while assigning a low or high priority to most of these policy questions. The results will rank the candidates (both Democratic and Republicans) who agree with you in descending order. The ‘Theoretical Ideal Candidate’ will, obviously, top the charts with an 100% ranking, followed by your choice based on your answers, e.g., Dennis Kucinich with 85%, Barack Obama with 82%, Al Gore with 80%, and so on.
The list includes several candidates who either aren’t running (as yet) as well as others who have dropped out of the race.

How does it work? The answer below the fold.

JekyllnHyde :: Select Your Ideal 2008 Presidential Candidate
Go to this web site and click any candidate’s name and a profile pops up which gives a summary of the candidate’s policy positions.

Next, click the 2008 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector and you’ll see the following guidelines

This selector features over two dozen names of announced candidates and politicians considered by pundits to be possible White House contenders. You may select a position for every issue, or just select those issues important to you. The candidates’ positions are based upon their voting records, special interest group ratings and the candidates’ statements in the public record. In cases where a would-be president has no known public record or statement on an issue, they are not given a score, which tends to reward candidates who take stands on more issues. Also candidates for president who take consistent and stronger stands tend to get higher scores. All the candidates and/or their staffs were written to and given an opportunity to clarify or correct their views as characterized here.

The questions listed are, in most cases, followed by a low or high priority that you place on the particular issue. Remember to choose one or the other

1. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on the IRAQ WAR at the beginning of the war?
* Would have opposed Bush?s original request to use military force against Iraq.
* Would have supported Bush?s original request to use military force against Iraq.
* Neither

2. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on LEAVING IRAQ?
* Would support President Bush’s policy of no time line for withdrawal in Iraq.
* Would support a deadline for withdrawal in Iraq.
* Neither

3. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on BALANCING CIVIL LIBERTIES & SECURITY?
* Would lean toward protecting civil liberties even though it might risk our security.
* Would lean toward decreasing civil liberties as way to increase security.
* Neither

4. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on SOCIAL SECURITY?
* Would work to make it solvent, possibly raising the earnings ceiling and/or the retirement age, etc.
* Would consider other options, including privatization.
* Neither

5. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH?
* Would support federal expansion of embryonic stem cell research.
* Would oppose federal expansion of embryonic stem cell research.
* Neither

6. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on SCHOOL CHOICE?
* Would oppose publicly funded “voucher” programs that allows students to choose to attend any of various participating private and public schools.
* Would support publicly funded “voucher” program that allows students to choose to attend any of various participating private and public schools.
* Neither

7. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES?
* Would oppose both marriage and civil unions for same sex couples.
* Would support both marriage and civil unions for same sex couples.
* Would support civil unions (but not marriages) for same sex couples.
* Neither

8. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on TRADE ISSUES?
* Would support free trade policies.
(”In international trade, free trade is an idealized market model, often stated as a political objective, in which trade of goods and services between countries flows unhindered by government-imposed tariff and non-tariff barriers. Nearly all modern non-Marxist economists support the statement that free trade is a net gain to both trading partners and that the gains from free trade outweigh the losses.” –Wikipedia)
* Would support fair trade policies.
(”Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.”–Wikipedia)
* Neither

9. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on TAXES & GOVERMENT SERVICES? (There are two basic schools of thought on this topic. One side says, “a society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable members”. The other side says, “reduce taxes so people can keep their money to solve their own problems”.)
* My ideal candidate would favor the “government should help people” positions of groups such as the Children’s Defense Fund and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
* My ideal candidate would favor the anti-tax positions of the National Taxpayers Union.
* Neither

10. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on THE DEFICIT?
* Would raise taxes and/or reduce spending if necessary to reduce the deficit and balance the budget in keeping with the philosophy of the Concord Coalition.
* Would not be concerned with the deficit, in keeping with the philosophy of supply-side economics.
* Neither

11. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on BUSINESS & LABOR?
* Would favor the pro-business positions of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and similar groups.
* Would favor the pro-labor positions of the AFL-CIO and similar groups.
* Neither

12. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on ABORTION?
* Would support the pro-choice positions of organizations like NARAL.
* Would support the pro-life positions of organizations like National Right to Life Committee.
* Neither

13. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?
* Would support the death penalty.
* Would oppose the death penalty.
* Neither

14. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on MARIJUANA laws?
* Would not advocate any sort of legalization of marijuana.
* Would support legalization for doctor prescribed medical use of marijuana.
* Would support a general decriminalization of marijuana.

15. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on GUN CONTROL?
* Would support gun control legislation recommended by groups such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
* Would oppose gun control legislation. Supports positions of groups such as the NRA and the Gun Owners of America.
* Neither

16. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on the MINIMUM WAGE?
* Would have a history of supporting increases in the minimum wage.
* Would have a history of opposing increases in the minimum wage.
* Neither

17. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on HEALTH CARE?
* Would oppose a government-provided, universal health care program for Americans.
* Would favor a government-provided, universal health care program for Americans.
* Neither

18. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?
* Would favor allowing citizens to purchase drugs from Canada and elsewhere abroad.
* Would favor the federal government negotiating with drug manufacturers to get the best possible price.
* Both the above.
* None of the above.

19. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES?
* Would favor positions of environmental groups like the League of Conservation Voters.
* Would oppose positions of environmental groups like the League of Conservation Voters.
* Neither

20. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on LEGAL IMMIGRATION?
* Would support the interests of groups such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform which seeks to reduce legal immigration levels.
* Would favor a more open immigration policy, holding the opinion that foreign workers are a valuable and necessary addition to our labor pool.
* Neither

21. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?
* Would support both amnesty/permanent legalization AND temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens
* Would oppose both amnesty/permanent legalization AND temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens
* Would support temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens, but oppose permanent amnesty
* Would support permanent amnesty for illegal aliens, but oppose temporary legalization (guest worker programs)
* None of the above

22. What would be your ideal candidate’s position on SLAVERY REPARATIONS? (The specific actions regarding reparations for slavery include the government apologizing to slave descendants for their hardships, and awarding them financial and/or other compensation.)
* Would advocate reparations for slavery.
* Would not advocate reparations for slavery.
* Neither

23. What would be your ideal candidate’s political or PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS? (Select none, any or all)
* A national level elected representative, i.e. a member of Congress
* An elected executive, i.e. a governor or mayor
* Military leader
* Business owner or executive
* Lawyer
* Journalist, broadcast commentator or author (authorship of campaign books which are frequently ghostwritten have been ignored).
* Professor, teacher or lecturer
* Doctor

24. What would be your ideal candidate’s presidential CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE?
* My ideal candidate will be a “fresh face” who has not campaigned for the presidency before.
* My ideal candidate will have the experience of campaigning for president.
* Not important
25. What is the PREFERABLE AGE for your ideal candidate upon assuming office? (Select none, any or all)
* 35-44 years old
* 45-54 years old
* 55-64 years old
* 65-74 years old
* 75 and older

26. Which of these are PREFERABLE MARITAL STATUSES for your ideal candidate? (Select none, any or all)
* Single, never married
* Single, divorced
* Currently married to first spouse
* Currently married to second spouse
* Currently married to third spouse
* Widowed, remarried
* Widowed, unmarried

Once you have answered the questions, click on the SHOW MY RESULTS button (or Reset button if you wanted to change your answers) at the bottom of the page. Important: When you get the first ad, go directly to the top of the page and click Go to my results and you will see your choices as I indicated above. Otherwise, you will get a series of annoying ads for various products. Do not answer any of them.

It isn’t perfect but it is a fun exercise and you might even learn a few things about yourself.

(crossposted from Daily Kos)

As a frequent viewer of the Daily Show I was prety much floored with Obama’s comments last nigtht - WTF? In a nutshell he admitted to being a part of the machine that feeds us lies and mistruths day after day on the campaign trail. I am at best sickened by this admission. Is he trying to lead us to beleive that he is a better choice becuase he has admitted beigna dishonest politicion wrapped up in the as per usual entrapments of policy and voter machinations? Is he trying to sway us to beleive he is the lesser of all evils with such an admission? Hey how about the sidestepping of the “experience” question - yep you are correct Cheney and company had quite a resume …waht the fuck does that mean - experience is a bad thing? People 60 and 70 years old make bad decisions? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

I was a fervent demo and Obama supporter - Blinded BY the Light! Thanks so much Mr Obama - you have brought me back to the place you met me - no confidence in anyone to run this country…this is absurd - how can any of you continue to just support him because he is the lesser of evils - Hey you, up there in ManchVegas - Wake up! Obama as with the others you support so blindly out of fear are really not whom they present themsleves as.

Mrs Obama -Please get a grip - I’m glad you are doen talkign about the idiotic hosuhold refrences about Barry’s socks etc… ” If you can’t run your own house you cant run the white house” missle you aimed at Hilary is really a low blow. Is this where the Obama’s are heading- guttoral utterings on the campaign trail filled with slinging?

I want my campaign donation money BACK!

What a fraud…What is this fear she is speaking of? Is there soimething new? We all know it’s a race card being drawn- right people? She is in fear of her husband? Her daughters ? Yes, yes we are all aware of the hate breed and that hate runs rampant in the USA - race, religion, whatever, it is present we all know it

I thought this campaign was centered around change - a sea change sweeping the entire country - the freshness - the new ideas - the reshaping of the USA - You know, you are right Barry - you are as full of shit as the next candidate. My question is when does this stop? How does this stop? Let’s all take a look back to 1776 and we may get a glimpse of what it takes to overrun a governing body that continues to keep our best interests isolated and agendaless.

No wonder I took so long between posts I’m so fed up - How about the rest of you lemmings?

Anyone ready to move to Canada, Tazmania?