2008-08-29, 05:16 AM
Quote:legislative experience != executive experience
Executive experience > legislative experience > other experience
Quote:For the second point, of course you need to understand the issues and all that as well (note that I said *one* of the most important qualities), but I think it's hard to be an effective president without a good degree of charisma.
McCain isn't as good as working large crowds as Obama is, I have to admit. While an extra bit of charisma is definitely an asset to Obama, I prefer McCain's experience in making deals across the political aisle (definitely useful for presidents), something that I haven't seen in Obama. And besides, it's not as if McCain isn't charismatic. He's just not as charismatic.
It may be a matter of personal preference though. I do see where you are coming from: I just watched Obama's acceptance speech and it was very well done. Such oratory is useful for the presidency, no doubt.
Quote:I'd say that this combined with laziness are the reasons for the low turnouts at the polls. I myself am 20, but I haven't ever voted before and there's a good chance I won't come November. Why should I? Take a couple hours out of my day, and I can say with confidence that my one vote wouldn't make a difference... Especially after the 2000 election, I see how things are: close turnouts would have the two sides go to an external source rather than counting votes and taking the one with the minor lead. It also doesn't help that the popular vote doesn't directly choose the President; what does a single vote matter when that one vote isn't even counted directly?
While almost everyone agrees that the Electoral College has to be reformed, no one has agreed on how to do so. And about voting being useless- if you do care strongly about one of the candidates, you can always campaign for him.
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Back on topic: for elections, I think it'd be nice if voters could list at least one platform for at least two political parties before they enter the polling booth. That would lower turnout though.