Why so many horse race threads

[frankenforpres]

Im probably in the minority, but im finding it really hard to find policy debates on DU. I know the candidates have websites, but i would like to see some debate about policy positions. I sort of understood the horse race phenomenon last prez election, because the main policy position seemed to be AnbodyButBush. But we arent facing an incumbent this time.


So, we have war position to discuss. Health Care. Reducing the Deficit. Lets get at it.

How many major candidates do we have? Edwards, Hillary, Obama, Richardson.

Ill tell you what I have deduced, and you can set me straight if i am wrong.

War position: Edwards (pro: is against it now con: seems to go with whatever popular opinion is, solution?)

Hillary (pro: is against it now, con: seems hawkish, i dont know if this is for real or if she doesnt want to appear weak, solution?)

Obama (pro: against the war(but didnt have to vote), con: ?, solution ?)

Richardson(?)

Health care: seems like they all like some version of Romney care, but im not sure.


I have no idea about tax policy differences.

[NormanYorkstein]

1. sounds good to me, here's some of my thoughts

As far as the war goes, I can't see much of a difference between any of them. None are suggesting bringing the troops home except for Kucinich.

Health care is a mess. We possibly could get universal health insurance, Medicare for all, etc. Probably all the candidates will do something similar on this, but Big Pharma might stop them.

I like Edwards a lot because he comes out with specific policies that are pretty well thought out, plus he's taking a lead against the corporate media/FOX etc. Obama too I think is good.

[frankenforpres]

2. What about our own backyard

i agree with you about big pharma. but im not even convinced all on DU support universal healthcare. and i think DU is more left than the country on this issue. I sort of like the French system, but i dont know if unions (who are quite small these days ) would go for it.

Edwards does seem to be leading in developed policy issues.


Just to have it out there. My biggest issue is health care. im fairly libertarian, as long as we have a solid safety net ( i know this is counterintuitive, but i figure as long as people have a safety net, the market will work better).


I want the war over, but it is a mess. i really dont know if the best thing is straight evac or what. I really would like to see the candidates clarify on this issue.


one more "just to have it out there." i am not in a camp yet. i think all this candidates have seem pretty good. not like last time where i thought a few were horrible.

[snot]

3. Great question. The issues I consider most urgent

are election reform, media reform, and education. With these, everything else will fall into place; without them, all other efforts are doomed.

What have any of the candidates actually done on any of these?

[frankenforpres]

4. i dont know their stance

on those issues

[Hart2008]

5. The “horse race” is easier to cover than to actually discuss issues.

The “horse race” is easier to cover than to actually discuss issues. The candidate with the most money doesn’t always win. Go ask Howard Dean. The polls now are meaningless.

The biggest issue of all is which candidate do we have that can flip enough red states to break the Republican lock on the Electoral College?

Dean has recently announced a Western strategy. This is where Dean got the idea:
http://www.westerndemocrat.com/files/GaryHart-Democrats

One Libertarian blog recognizes that this strategy would gain libertarian minded voters:
“Since, as we all know, the Democrats will not be pushing this agenda, but instead will be pushing the typical Demopublican DLC crap, and signing off on invading Iran and more appropriations for the surge and occupation (among other things), the LP could certainly peel off some votes there…”
http://www.lp.org/yourturn/archives/000524.shtml

Which of the so-called "top-tier" candidates can flip red states to blue in the West?


What better candidate to execute this strategy than the man who authored it?

http://www.RunGaryHart.com

:kick: HART 2008! :kick:

[frankenforpres]

6. I get that the media is lazy

but, i meant here on DU, that we mostly have horse race threads

[Hart2008]

7. Monkey see. Monkey do...It's the same laziness.

"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it."
-Henry Ford

:kick: HART 2008! :kick:

[LWolf]

8. It's always this way.

I used to think it was an election season thing. Then I discovered that the whole focus is to talk about what somebody on tv or the radio said, or to campaign.

Issues are complex. They require research, thought, and thoughtful, in-depth conversation. The media and campaigns just take soundbites.

I don't really have much to say about the policy positions of those you've mentioned, though; I prefer others.

Start with health care: I don't know what "Romney Care" is. Can you enlighten me?

[Hart2008]

9. It;'s funny when 2 threads have different results for the same poll question!

It just shows you how worthless the polls are this far out.

:kick: HART 2008! :kick: