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An interesting experiment?
Gather 100 people and have them pick a candidate after listening to speeches by Obama & Clinton. Gather another 100 people and have them pick after reading speeches by Obama & Clinton. I’d bet the farm that Obama would win the listening group, but would Clinton’s policy specifics win the reading group that missed the personality of Obama? Not to say that either side is right or wrong; we need to decide whether we favor technical skills or charisma as primary characteristics in our leader. Hopefully I’ll figure that out by March 4.
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Comments (2)
I’d bet the farm that Obama would win the listening group, but would Clinton’s policy specifics win the reading group that missed the personality of Obama?
If you want an experiment to compare the appeal of policy specifics, why go to speeches? Speeches are, by their nature, not suitable for laying out complex policy details. And other than policy wonks, most people don't want the policy details in speeches, they want to get a big-picture sense of where the candidate wants to lead the country and how the candidate approaches things. But the policy details are readily available, for people who want to study and compare them.
So your experiment needs to be modified slightly. Just have the 100 people compare the policy specifics detailed on Hillary's web pages with the policy specifics detailed on Obama's web pages.
February 22, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rather than going to the candidates websites I would suggest going to the Library of Congress or other neutral website and research what the candidates have done. Anything on their respective sites would, while being credible, be cherrypicked, edited and self-serving. Compare and contrast bills authored, bills co-authored, bills sponsored, bills signed on to and most importantly, what bills they have been involved in that actually passed. I read an interesting post on Kos from a person who actually did this research titled "I refuse to buy into the Obama Hype (now a supporter)" from Grassroots Mom.
The link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633
The basic point is that Seantor Obama has had as much, if not more, substantive legislation authored and passed. It also points out that co-sponsors include those from the other party that would surprise you (Tom Coburn for example). This lends credence to the argument that he is capable of building coalitions to get things done.
I also find it interesting that the charge of lacking solutions is coming from a candidate who signed on to legislation that presented important solutions. I understand that Senator Clinton has accomplished some in her own right. One also has to take into consideration the relative time each has had to do the things they have done.
February 22, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
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