Do you feel our Democratic Representatives and Senators are informed?

[ecstatic]

I watch C-Span almost every day, and I've noticed that oftentimes, the Dems who go on there have never heard of the PNAC, for example. Sometimes they don't hear of major stories until days later (if at all). How informed do you think our representatives are? Could it be that their ignorance is part of the problem?

[sabra]

1. Other

I think they choose what they want to be informed about.

[Just Me]

5. I think they focus on being informed on their "causes".

Some focus on children's interests, some on minorities, some on security, some on the judicial system, some on foreign policy, etc.

That's not a "bad" thing. However, they all really should have a framework about what is happening outside their boxes.

I'm not at all surprised that so many have no clue about PNAC (although, that could be a reflection of my failure to get that information to them --- or maybe, my efforts were simply ignored).

[fooj]

12. I'm with you! Selective info...

[Democrats_win]

2. Since 1994 Gop congressmen isolated themselves from Dems

Yet almost every district contains a substantial population of the other party. Anyone surprised about the malaise of a dollar on the verge of collapse and an endless military mess?

[htuttle]

3. When I write them, they always respond that they don't know anything

I'd assume the majority of them are either incredibly ignorant, or just lying to me about what they are and aren't aware of.

I'm betting on the lying, personally.

I can understand the political expedience of feigning non-awareness of an issue, especially a controversal one, but getting that response back got old years ago.

[KissMeKate]

4. well funded right wing think tanks

keep republican talking points fresh for the GOP.

We need our own network of think tanks- a support system, if you will, for leftists.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. That's it exactly --

They've been conditioned to respond to what their Republican opponants say. And when was the last time you heard any Republican say anything at all about PNAC?

They are letting the other side frame the debate. They need to pick up our issues (PNAC, verified vote, Diebold & ES&S management, Dominionist erosion of church/state separation -- all the things the other side never mentions) and throw them at the Repubs, and get them on the defensive. They need to frame the debate themselves.

[cestpaspossible]

7. Most are relying on corporate media for their information.

In such a case, it is impossible to be truly informed.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Yes! Unfortunately, they are "informed" by polls and lobbyists.

And, they respond to that information by voting to protect their seats.

[AntiCoup2K4]

9. If they don't know what's going on, they shouldn't be there.

And if they DO, and still vote to enable it, they should be charged with treason.

[Poppyseedman]

10. You don't understand why

all representatives are ill informed?

It's not that they are ignorant. Well some really are morons, it's they live in a echo chamber.

They think they make the news, they decide what's important, they know what's good and bad, they know what's moral and just

They rely on their staffs to do all their work, to develop all their positions, to gather and flesh out all the facts. For the most part they don't have they own opinions, just what the finger in the wind says for that day.

I firmly believe the majority of politicians after being in DC for a while, doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

Most privately think to themselves "Let them eat cake"

[merbex]

11. While volunteering for Kerry, I was in contact with a number of

politicians. They are not well- informed except on their pet issues.

Almost universally, they are internet challenged. Start a conversation with "Did you see on DU or Did you see on Kos" and they look at you like you're speaking Greek

[fooj]

13. What a sad state of affairs!