Candidates passing on political test

[niccolos_smile]

Project Vote Smart asks simple questions, which may be the problem

By CLAIRE CUMMINGS, Dallas Morning News, 07/08/06

It's definitely quicker than your average college exam. In fact, Project Vote Smart estimates it takes just 30 minutes for candidates to fill out its nonpartisan questionnaire. But as of Friday, the majority of Texas' political candidates failed to return the survey – and none of the state's five candidates for governor have done so.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/elections/2006/stories/070906dntexvotesmart.16d7160.html

[derby378]

1. Vote Smart isn't alone

I think it's happening to a lot of pollsters.

[TXDem24]

2. Some of this ...

can be attributed to cowardice. But, I think the lack of response can be attributed to certain partisan reasons:

1) The Republicans operate on an ideological level. They are supposed to reflect the platform and agenda of the Republican Party, so it is "unnecessary" for them to respond to the survey. Those that do run the risk of alienating their base, especially in Texas.

2) A lot of Democrats want to be able to "float" their positions on the hot-button issues of abortion, immigration, flag-burning and gay marriage that the Republicans are pushing as wedge issues. It seems that "tailoring" the message to specific audiences is the strategy of some of the Democratic candidates and they do not want to be "locked" into a generic position on a survey.

3) Third party candidates enter their surveys to "contrast" themselves to the two mainstream parties. Typically, they focus on enough issues to get published (VoteSmart has a standard response rate) and demonstrate their "differences" from the mainstream candidates.

That is the politically correct response to the topic.

My personal opinion is that those candidates who did not fill out the survey have something to hide. Whether it is a lack of understanding of the issues or a personal agenda doesn't mean squat to me. A candidate who truly wants to represent the people should be honest in their positions on PUBLIC issues. I filled it out. I stand by my opinions and remain open to alternative viewpoints and intelligent debate. Those candidates who did not complete the questionnaire may be trying to game the voters. And those people are sick and tired of being played.

Fight the "Right". They only think they are.