Showing posts with label vote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vote. Show all posts
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Get Out the Military Vote
U.S. Senator John Cornyn has developed a new website to help our military to be able to vote in the upcoming Presidential election. It is a portal to important information and critical dates to ensure that their vote will count. Please get the word out to any military personnel that may have questions about their voting rights. It can be accessed at www.texasmilitaryvote.com.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Texas Polls and the Senate Race
The Texas Senate race this year is a match up between the Republican incumbent, John Cornyn, and State Representative Rick Noriega, a Democrat. In many ways, it is easy for the people of the state to dismiss the race as a foregone conclusion. Such an attitude could be very dangerous for Senator Cornyn. That is why he is spending a lot of time campaigning this election season.
The latest poll, produced by the University of Texas, shows Cornyn with a lead of 13% with a split of 44% to 31%. That seems to be a strong lead until you consider that almost 25% of those surveyed expressed no preference. That large number could significantly sway the election either direction.
The large number of "no preference" voters may be a reflection of the general dissatisfaction with Congress and with government in general. In the same poll, respondents were asked to express whether they thought the country was heading in the right direction, or the wrong direction. Those who thought we were heading in the right direction accounted for 20% of the responses while those who thought we were heading in the wrong direction accounted for 67% of the responses.
Economic perceptions were also assessed in the polling questions. Respondents indicated they thought the country was in worse economic shape by 81% as compared to 2% believing the country was better off. I believe this response is largely shaped by media constantly barraging print and air with stories of how poorly the economy is doing. However, when asked about their personal economic situation, 51% thought their personal situation was the same or better.
The Presidential race is likely to have a strong impact on the Senate race vote. Many down ballot votes will follow the party of the voter's Presidential candidate choice. In the Presidential race, the votes track fairly closely with the Senate race with a 42% to 33% split -- slightly narrower, but strongly in favor of McCain. That leaves 25% who are either undecided are who prefer a minor party candidate.
The number that really stands out to me is the almost 25% who expressed no preference in the Senate and Presidential races. I believe that it is because they see Congress -- and government in general -- as not acting in their best interests. It reflects the growing segment of the population who feel powerless to affect the legislative process.
The latest poll, produced by the University of Texas, shows Cornyn with a lead of 13% with a split of 44% to 31%. That seems to be a strong lead until you consider that almost 25% of those surveyed expressed no preference. That large number could significantly sway the election either direction.
The large number of "no preference" voters may be a reflection of the general dissatisfaction with Congress and with government in general. In the same poll, respondents were asked to express whether they thought the country was heading in the right direction, or the wrong direction. Those who thought we were heading in the right direction accounted for 20% of the responses while those who thought we were heading in the wrong direction accounted for 67% of the responses.
Economic perceptions were also assessed in the polling questions. Respondents indicated they thought the country was in worse economic shape by 81% as compared to 2% believing the country was better off. I believe this response is largely shaped by media constantly barraging print and air with stories of how poorly the economy is doing. However, when asked about their personal economic situation, 51% thought their personal situation was the same or better.
The Presidential race is likely to have a strong impact on the Senate race vote. Many down ballot votes will follow the party of the voter's Presidential candidate choice. In the Presidential race, the votes track fairly closely with the Senate race with a 42% to 33% split -- slightly narrower, but strongly in favor of McCain. That leaves 25% who are either undecided are who prefer a minor party candidate.
The number that really stands out to me is the almost 25% who expressed no preference in the Senate and Presidential races. I believe that it is because they see Congress -- and government in general -- as not acting in their best interests. It reflects the growing segment of the population who feel powerless to affect the legislative process.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Voter Apathy
Why are voters so apathetic? I think that they have given up. They see that no matter who is running for office, no matter who is elected, no matter how much or how little they are involved, it makes no difference. They feel like victims of the system.
Are they? ARE WE? Or, are we the cause?
How we respond to what life hands us is a product of our character and our attitude. If we have the character to say, "I will move forward in spite of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles," then we will succeed. If instead we become "beaten down" by the blows that come our way then we truly will be defeated.
How do you maintain a positive attitude in the face of obstacles? Focus on the good.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." __ Phillipians 4:8
Are they? ARE WE? Or, are we the cause?
How we respond to what life hands us is a product of our character and our attitude. If we have the character to say, "I will move forward in spite of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles," then we will succeed. If instead we become "beaten down" by the blows that come our way then we truly will be defeated.
How do you maintain a positive attitude in the face of obstacles? Focus on the good.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." __ Phillipians 4:8
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Political Capital
Political capital can best be described as good will. It is earned, traded-for, bought and occasionally extorted. It is the currency of the political world.
Political capital is occasionally in the form of money -- especially during the campaign season. But that money is for creation of good will -- either from the donor, or for the candidate through his expenditure on the campaign. It is designed to create influence in one's favor.
It is often the result of providing someone or group with something they want. This occurs through votes on legislation. It occurs when organizations seek to influence their members.
It is traded-for when I vote for your pet project if you'll vote for mine. It is extorted when I withold my vote if you don't perform according to my wishes.
Political capital, just like economic capital in business, is what makes the machine work. It is earned and it is spent. It is power and influence. Do we as bloggers create and use political capital? Some do and some don't. I think there is plenty of opportunity to do more.
Political capital is occasionally in the form of money -- especially during the campaign season. But that money is for creation of good will -- either from the donor, or for the candidate through his expenditure on the campaign. It is designed to create influence in one's favor.
It is often the result of providing someone or group with something they want. This occurs through votes on legislation. It occurs when organizations seek to influence their members.
It is traded-for when I vote for your pet project if you'll vote for mine. It is extorted when I withold my vote if you don't perform according to my wishes.
Political capital, just like economic capital in business, is what makes the machine work. It is earned and it is spent. It is power and influence. Do we as bloggers create and use political capital? Some do and some don't. I think there is plenty of opportunity to do more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)