Why do people keep asking what other candidates think? Go to their sites!

[madfloridian]

This is such an obvious tactic, and it is just so easy to look up the views of a candidate yourself. There are searches at the sites, you put in a search term and search.

It would save a lot of posts about their different stances, don't you think?

[JohnKleeb]

1. People are l-a-z-y and sometimes the website doesnt clarify it all

[xultar]

2. If I had a nickel every time people asked Clarkies to explain

why Clark said this, did that, talks nice about bush, I'd have at least 20.00 by now.

So if we can be asked, then we can also ask...right?

[JohnKleeb]

4. only 20.00$

If we had a dollar everytime we got a "I like Kucinich" but hes unelectable we would have a shit load of money :D oh an that includes like wise comments. Sigh if I could donate legally, things would be a slight bit better, *groans* sucks being 16 and having a great candiate everyone says cant win.

[LuminousX]

14. And perpetuate the problem

The best thing you can do when asked to explain something a candidate has said or done is to in no uncertain terms state you are not an official spokesperson of the campaign and therefore cannot speculate about the meaning or put words in the candidate's mouth. You can offer your interpretation, but I would even avoid doing that.

At the very most, direct the asker to the website or to a transcript that talks about that issue. Those truly seeking answers as they try to figure out who to support will be able to work through the material and make up their own minds. It is only those who wish to torpedo a candidate over cherry-picked quotes and vague data interpretation who want a supporter, not an agent of the campaign, to defend the candidate's remarks. You won't ever be able to convince them of anything as they have already made up their mind about the candidate. If you are really interested in furthering the cause of your candidate, it is better to hijack the conversation to get the asker to outline what he/she supports and do a compare and contrast with the candidate. Also be aware that your candidate may not be a good fit for everyone.

[redqueen]

18. Does Clark's site have a search feature yet?

Last time I checked, it didn't.

[wtmusic]

3. It's easier to harrass other candidates' supporters

:-)

j/k, j/k

[spychoactive]

5. well personally speaking...

i have not been able to discern or extract any information that makes one or another of the democratic candidates jump out at me...if i had enough posts to start a thread i'd ask the kids here in the underground to pitch their candidates, because the websites have not captured me as of yet and i seriously am having a hard time deciding...so while not laziness i would ask out of uncertainty...like for example: which of the candidates is in favor of legalizing marijuana? i have not seen that on any website...

i'd like to be more involved in the process beyond: anybody but dubya

i for one look forward to being swayed into loving a democratic candidate...another example: who is the most electable?

sorry if i'm mucking up your thread it's just i have so much on my mind and this is now one more thing...

i love the democratic underground though and i feel i have come to the right place...

so convince me, who's should be our person?

one love
spike

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. Electability is just a guess.

What issues are most important to you? Maybe that would be a good way to start narrowing it down.

[spychoactive]

12. my main issue...

seeing how my mother begns massive chemotherapy today the issue of medical marijuana is so up front in my mind...actually i's like to see the complete legalization/decriminalization of marijuana, abortion is across the board something i think i need not worrying about, i have heard of pro-choice reps, but i have never heard of a pro-life democrat, i have issues with affirmative action because twice now i have been denied positions because of it...(does saying that get me kicked out of here?) ok ya caught me off guard with the question...i have a bad habit of backing into my candidate, meaning that rather than having my own set of firm "what-i'm-looking-fors", i just get a feel for who will get elected, i tend to pick the issues and small stuff apart heavily on a local level with the belief that it effects my life on a more direct level...i am frighteningly close to "whoever will win"...i also tend to eliminate candidates i disagree with on issues, rather than find ones i agree with...again with the issues issue...

well i must thank you for making me rethink just what i am looking for...

and on a lighter note my confusion lends absolutely NO credibility to the legalization of marijuana arguemant, but trust me it's a mother with cancer, not pot that is the source of my confusion...

clamming up now...

[diamondsoul]

13. Medical marijuana is a deal breaker issue

for me. My own mother died after chemo because she couldn't keep food down and wouldn't break the law.

I suppose my sig makes it pretty obvious who has the strongest position on medical marijuana?

[spychoactive]

17. you have voiced my biggest fear

she cannot eat and refuses to break the law...pennsylvania is so far away from medical marijuana, i think it has a better chance going national than it does in the "commonwealth" (now there's a bigger oxymoron than rush limbaugh)

sorry 'bout your mother

one love
spike

[Feanorcurufinwe]

6. Well, we come here to discuss right?

I like to start discussions with a news story or something like that, others like to ask a question...

[Melsky]

8. It spurs discussion

instead of going to the site and reading by yourself, you can talk to others about it. The same goes for people who ask for stuff that can be googled. I have found a lot of good sites through people asking about them on this board. Though some people who ask multiple questions every night get kind of annoying.

[LuminousX]

15. Far better to yank an explanation from a website and ask for clarification

or discussion regarding it. That demonstrates that the poster has at least attempted self-education and is now looking for input from a wider audience.

[FrenchieCat]

9. The tactics were evidenced right

in this thread here.....
Wesley Clark for Secretary of Defense!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=758511

I asked a straight out question about your candidate's stance on the flag amemdent...and my candidate gets insulted, misquoted....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=108&topic_id=90891&mesg_id=90891

then I barely get an answer, but what I do get is a whole new thread asking why people ask questions about other candidates.

There is something wrong here...and it ain't me.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FrenchieCat]

11. But when you get a chance

Do find out about Howard Dean Flag stance and post it in either one of these threads....so that I will have gotten my question answered...

It's possible that after tonight, you will have assisted me in making another convert.... from Dean to Clark

It was all about finding out about a flag stance...too bad it was too much....and sorry that I "kept going on".....maybe cause I never got the answer.....but got my question answered with questions (which were not so subtle attacks on my candidate).

Maybe saying you didn't know would have done it.
That can happen you know.
Maybe staying out of a thread, if you have no clue,
will help alleviate the stress your are feeling my friend.

It's not anger....it's hunger to know.

[burr]

16. I check them frequently for updates...

the main problem, I usually leave these webpages with far more questions or doubts than answers!

[redqueen]

19. Yeah, go to where the canned info is.

Please. IMO, the sites are okay, but supporters (and critics, or other candidates' supporters) are a better source. Not only do you get the supportive view of a candidates' position, but you also get the 'other side', which is critical.

For one thing, some of those sites are not easy to navigate. Also, I know of at least one candidate whose site doesn't have a search feature. That makes it really difficult to find what you're looking for.

[drfemoe]

20. You can use google to search any site

go to http://www.google.com

type the term you are searching for (example) flag

then the following: site:
and the site url: www.deanforamerica.com

flag site:www.deanforamerica.com

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=flag+site%3Awww.deanforamerica.com&btnG=Google+Search

It works for any site.

[redqueen]

21. Damn!

This has to be the most useful tip I've seen on DU, and that's saying a LOT!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[drfemoe]

23. that means a lot coming from you

redqueen .. :toast:

[redqueen]

24. hahahahaha

I'm so defensive right now! All these posts insinuating that Kucinich supporters are crazy or deluded have really gotten to me!

I saw the title of your post and thought you were being sarcastic.

Oh dopey me!

Thanks again for that tip!

:hug:

[drfemoe]

25. I know what you mean

I HATE kool aid...
At least for today I have decided not to fight any battles here on DU. I'm sick to death of it. My heart is very much in kin with someone like DK .. I'm a peace maker, not a warrior. Unfortunately in the 'modern' world that makes one a 'freak'. :hippie:

[dfitzsim]

22. And it forces you to rationally defend your candidate ...

... and their positions -- which will come in very handy when we go up against Bush Co.

If you're tired of defending them here on DU, stop. Someone else will gladly pick up your candidates standard and run with it. :-)

Just don't stop spreading the word about them when you log off!

:toast:

[TopesJunkie]

26. Yup.

Do your own homework. Check their sites. Check the sweep of the media spectrum. It's great to discuss the differences here, however.