Do people vote more for the issues or for the person they most like?

[kentuck]

I heard someone mention this on Morning Joe this morning? I think it was Donnie Deutsch? But he said that people vote for the person they like, not where they necessarily stand on the issues? Do you agree with that statement?

[MADem]

1. They vote for the person they believe is MOST LIKE THEM.

It's not always true, but it's all down to belief. If you think someone thinks like you, has your values and priorities, then you like them better. That's who most people vote for.

Everything being equal, when it comes down to a choice of two people that a voter feels the same way about, looks will win it, every time. The one that appeals to the eye the most will get the nod.

[kentuck]

3. Democrats seem to always run on the issues...

and Republicans run for or against the person.

[tblue]

2. Yep. Person. Most vote for the person.

They usually vote for the hunkiest guy running for president.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. Issues

When I hand off this world to the next generation I have to be able say something better than, "Well, he seemed like a nice guy at the time."

[FiveGoodMen]

5. They vote for the person whose carefully constructed, stage-managed,

talking-point-vetted, outward persona best fits their personal biases.

Otherwise, a certain someone wouldn't get near as much approval on this site as he does.

[qb]

6. Many of the people in Michele Bachmann's district vote for her because she's a nice lady.

That's the report from Democratic doorknockers who reported that time after time they would talk to people who agreed more with the Democratic candidate's issues, but said they'd vote for Bachmann anyway because they like her.
:banghead:

[JoePhilly]

7. Which people?

I'd suggest that Stupid people vote for the person they "like" ... or the one they think is "most like me".

Then some vote on ONE issue.

Personally, I vote this way ...

There are many issues ... I place those on the X-axis of a bar chart. The Y-axis has 100% support at the top, and 100% against at the bottom. I then score the candidates against the items on the X-axis.

I sort the issues on the X-axis such that those I care more about are to the LEFT.

This allows me to compare candidates against the various issues that I care about more objectively.

Personally, I think the push for "who you like" is an attempt to push "I vote for people who look like me". It is an attempt to make the issues IRRELEVANT in the discussion.

So that a right wing idiot, who you'd like to have a beer with, can become President.

[ThomWV]

8. They vote for the image, not the voice.

[gateley]

9. My mother voted for Reagan because she just liked him so much!

For the record, my dad and I never stopped telling her she was crazy. :7

[HockeyMom]

10. When you are young, it is the person

and their charisma. When you get old, it is more issues. Been there, done that.