Issues vs Personality

[kentuck]

Do the majority of people vote for specific issues or on the personality of the candidate?

In my opinion, many people, especially the more informed, vote on specific issues, such as healthcare, environment, economy, jobs, etc.

However, when it comes down to making a final choice, the majority vote on whether or not they like one person more than the other. Pardon the pun, but personality trumps issues.

Democrats are running against a cult of personality. Republicans, even when they are discussing issues such as immigration, make it about personality. They attack the previous President about his immigration policies, or sanctuary cities, or murders by immigrants, etc. They don't really discuss solutions to the immigration problem. They blame the Democrats.

This is a problem for Democrats. They prefer to discuss government solutions to these problems. Republicans prefer personal attacks upon their opponents. It is unfortunate that the majority of voters are prone to support the attacks, rather than the solutions. Perhaps it is a part of human nature?

So, what is the best strategy for the Democrats? Should they continue to discuss the issues, even while they are being attacked unmercifully by their opponents? Will that win the next election for them?

Or do they need to get tougher? How would they do that? They are being bullied. How do you fight back against a "bully"?

In my opinion, this is where the campaign is at this moment. Following the rules of the past will not work. They must change their strategy.

Just my opinion.

[rampartc]

1. you can not "coach" personality

with any luck we can get together on the details of issues after the election.

I want a candidate who can recognize and address problems by calling in the subject matter experts. authoritarians, and their followers, might call that weakness but isn't it common sense?

[kentuck]

2. I think you are right that you cannot "coach" personality...

But you can offer a contrast even if you cannot stand toe to toe with a demagogic populist. The people can still like you more.

It is a mistake whenever you attempt to fight on uncomfortable terrain, in my opinion.

My advice to the candidates would be to "Be Yourself". Don't allow yourself to be programmed.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I would like to think that issues are more important, but then I think of all the people who

couldn't bring themselves to vote for Hillary because the didn't like her. Elections, especially Presidential elections, shouldn't be fought by rolling around in mud, but that seems to be what some voters hope to see.

[ismnotwasm]

4. Issues

And practicality. Hillary Clinton was the best candidate for president for me personally that I’m ever going to see.

My local Rep Pramila Jayapal is very good, mostly on her work with immigrants and immigration reform.

The Seattle city council I have serious issues with, but they seem to be coming up with decent plans lately.

My Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are tireless. Murray especially has garnered quite a bit of political influence and power as a Democrat.

And of course my Governor Jay Inslee, who is an incredible activist and is absolutely hated by the Right wing in Washington state.

Shout out to our AG, Bob Ferguson, who is doing one hell of a job.

These names I mentioned are not “personalities” as perceived by the media, they work hard for my city my county and my state.

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. Voters are focusing on the wrong qualities

Who has the quick come-back versus who has the experience, values, and ability to do the job.

[Beringia]

6. I think personality is important too

It is an indicator of leadership qualities. I especially see it in Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, but many people think Sanders has no real accomplishments, so I wonder about him.

[Hortensis]

7. We think it's issues, but turns out personality dominates first and last.

We're pretty much all born genetically wired liberal or conservative, and possibly a smaller number libertarian (the real "altruism is for fools" thing, not posturing). After that, environment kicks in and we become a goulash of ideas and influences, but average them out to see ourselves as politically liberal or conservative.

Psychologists say those who see themselves as neutral and/or call themselves independent aren't really, and there is no political personality of "moderate," no matter how many thousands of times a day political media and thought manipulators use the term. Liberals and conservatives come in various types and strengths, including moderate.

In any case, personality is the overriding reason I'd be more likely to stick a needle in my eye than become a cult follower of any person who seeks a cult following or a Republican.

As for issues: Although strength of this tendency varies, researchers say that people choose the group they identify with first, second choose the group's leader, and third -- GET READY FOR THIS: Adopt the views of the group's leader. That includes issues. Sanders said the ACA was bad and needed to be destroyed and instantly created a whole following who despised it. (An extreme example, but how about my own "okay!" when I learned Hillary planned to put half a billion solar panels on American roofs in her first term? Still sounds very good and needed, but I never bothered to question the priority, including other security, energy and climate needs, just accepted her judgement.)

RW authoritarians, the biggest reason it CAN happen here, would obviously be the largest group of very strong adopters, followed by smaller numbers prone to extremism and cultism on the left.

The rest of us would range from mild to moderate, to often rather cultish levels of support as some get carried away by partisanship. But in the end, to some degree we virtually all support our leaders' decisions because they are the leaders' decisions.

There are various factors at work, of course. I know I never appreciated my choice of "leader" so much as in the election when viable alternatives bizarrely shrank and left a far left populist cult figure as no alternative at all.

[kentuck]

8. As for issues:

In these times, the only issues that might work are those that are supported by 75-80% of the population. The power of personality can over-ride most other issues, in my opinion.

Of course, there are some issues that are supported by a huge percentage of the people, such as background checks for gun purchases. However, these types of issues are very few.

Otherwise, personality is the major issue.