First venture into the box. Can't wait to be suspended.

Is there a all-in-one site that features candidates stances on issues or just what they want to do in office?

I spent awhile last night just trying to find where Marshall and Burr differ. Marshall had a campaign website that presented her views in an easy-to-find link. Burr had two sites: one was his Senator page and the other was his campaign site that had a bunch of youtube videos on the front. Granted, I didn't go digging as much as I should but it shouldn't be this hard to find a little info.

I don't keep up with politics at all but I feel it's my civic duty to make and informed vote. Any help? Ready to be flamed.

10/27/2010 11:35:19 AM

Quote :

"Is there a all-in-one site that features candidates stances on issues or just what they want to do in office?"

No.

10/27/2010 11:38:26 AM

Hahah he thinks voting matters.

10/27/2010 11:38:57 AM

It does matter... just not in the way most people think.

10/27/2010 11:48:21 AM

Then what the hell am I supposed to do? Vote based on annoying ads on tv and signs everywhere on the road?

10/27/2010 11:57:53 AM

If I know absolutely nothing about the candidates (judges, city council seats, etc.), I usually just go to the candidates' websites to find their stance on the issues. I also judge them if they have a shitty website, b/c let's face it, if they can't run a campaign effectively enough to at least come up with a decent site, then fuck em.

For US Senate candidates, there are tons of articles about them if you just google them. I'm sure you can learn enough to be somewhat informed just doing that. Of course, a lot of that will be bullshit sound bytes and other irrelevant noise, but I'm sure you can find some articles of substance.

There are also voting guides in the newspapers either the day before or day of the election too.

10/27/2010 12:26:10 PM

Don't vote and enable the corruption. Drop out of society and prepare for the revolution.

10/27/2010 12:26:42 PM

http://ontheissues.org

10/27/2010 12:32:32 PM

On the assumption that a lot of tdubbers don't go into the soap box, I tried to gather a lot of info on how to vote/early vote/update registration, and some different voter guides, endorsements, questionnaires, and info on who you get to vote on, and all that all in one thread, and put it in chit chat.

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=603381

Since you mentioned Burr, & this is the Soap Box, I'll share my thoughts on him.

Quote :

"Economy - When he was first learning of the severity of the recession he told his wife to go to the ATM day after day taking out all the money it would allow b/c he was convinced that in a few days "if you put a plastic card in an ATM machine the last thing you were going to get was cash" which earned him the nickname Bank Run Burr. And, after his meeting with representatives from Goldman Sachs, who then gave the max allowed contribution to his campaign, he took a strong stand against Wall Street Reform. In fact Burr has gotten more money from out of state that in state for many years now, this year is no different. We know who he represents. Environment - He tends to rate horribly here. According to Wikipedia: "Burr has generally received low ratings from environmental-protection organizations. In 2007-2008, for example, he received a rating of 0% from Environment America[17], 12% from the League of Conservation Voters, and 29% from Republicans for Environmental Protection." And he's taken plenty of cash from big oil like Haliburton, BP, and others which is reflected in his voting record. Gay Rights - He's against repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell and favors an amendment to the US constitution to write in a ban of gay marriage which even his Libertarian opponent has called him out on for wasting government time/money on trying to rewrite the constitution with more of his social conservatism. Obstructionist - Even with the military. In addition to participating in filibuster threats, he held up Duckworth's nomination to a key position in the office of veteran affairs despite her strong qualifications. He specifically also let generals travel from Korea and Hawaii to Washington DC for a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee and then canceled the meeting as a part of a larger party wide effort of obstructionism to not even let meetings happen. And his recent efforts have attempted to block unemployment relief and small business support efforts. War - Burr says we still need several more years of war. Whereas Elaine has challenged President Obama on amount of conflict we're involved with. Washington Incumbent - This one might not be a big deal to everyone, but I know for some people they don't like politicians who have been in Washington forever, and Burr has been in Washington for nearly 2 decades. But after nearly 2 decades it’s hard to name any big Burr accomplishments unless you want to count his attempt to make flag burning illegal? Women's issues - He voted against Franken's anti-rape amendment which passed with many Dem & GOP votes. He also voted for domestic violence to continue as a pre-existing condition. He’s anti-choice and he voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Carolina - Burr introduced this: 3. S.RES.110 : A resolution congratulating the University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team for winning the 2008-2009 NCAA men's basketball championship. Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 4/22/2009) "

Big Oil Burr:





Bank Run Burr/Corporatist:

10/27/2010 2:23:21 PM

the news and observer usually does a pretty decent voter guide on/leading up to election day

10/27/2010 2:57:12 PM

Edit:^^ thanks, that clears it up a little

but that's not really helpful if you want to vote early. that and newspapers 'endorse' certain candidates. nothing is bias free but I just want to know who is running for what and what they plan on doing if they should get there. a collective site for all of this would be better than a bunch of pain in the ass searching just to find a quote from an article 6 months ago.

[Edited on October 27, 2010 at 3:51 PM. Reason : ....]

10/27/2010 3:49:48 PM

Quote :

"http://ontheissues.org"

Thank you as well. Good site. At least I know who I'm voting for for senator.

[Edited on October 27, 2010 at 4:45 PM. Reason : ...]

10/27/2010 4:35:00 PM

Another site:

http://thatsmycongress.com/house/
http://thatsmycongress.com/senate/

It has a left lean, but it rates each vote as progressive vs not, and an inaction section too. Its useful in that it discusses a lot of specific votes & sponsorships & cosponsorships, and that while it has a lean it clearly & openly identifies that it does.

Also, I thought I'd share this:

projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/burr_ad_has_that_west_coast_look#ixzz13b2athny

Quote :

"Republican Sen. Richard Burr released a feel good TV ad this week showing how he understands the concerns of average North Carolinians. But apparently he got the wrong ocean. As an announcer says “We need leaders who care about the things we care about: family, a job security, a better future,” there appears on the screen an idyllic photograph of a family – a husband, wife and a little girl - sitting on a beach. But the family appears to be looking into the sunset, not a sun rise. And there appears to be an island in the distance. The whole picture shouts west coast. Samantha Smith, Burr's campaign spokeswoman, said the Burr TV ad, called “priorities,” contained stock footage, and she did not know where it had been shot."

Doesn't matter substantively, but still funny as a symbol for being out of touch.

[Edited on October 27, 2010 at 5:30 PM. Reason : .]

10/27/2010 5:27:43 PM

1) Do I understand it correctly that people who early vote can change their addresses on site and still vote? I moved about a block away from the place I'm currently registered at, I'm still in the same districts and all, but if I can change it I'd like to.

2) Supplanter, seriously, we've all seen your rant on Burr 27 times now. We get it. You don't like him. (Incidentally, I can't stand him anymore either, and so I'm voting for...sigh...the libertarian.)

10/28/2010 2:25:16 AM

Haha, not so many as that, I think I've posted it in about 5 threads (more updated w/ the newer/active threads) but I take your point. But he doesn't get to win this election without everyone knowing how terrible he is.

I hope the Libertarian does well enough to help build that party as a viable alternative, and I hope Elaine does really well too, so that even if Burr wins he doesn't get to cozy in his seat, so that he doesn't feel as though he has a mandate when making future voting decisions so that he has to make them very carefully knowing he is being watched, and so that he is seen as vulnerable in the next election because this one was so close.

And to answer your moving question, here is the policy on updating registration:

http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/GetDocument.aspx?id=2408
(see page 9)

Quote :

""4. IDENTIFICATION. In general, you do not have to show identification to poll workers when you vote. NCGS 163-82.8. A voter’s identification is cross-checked with NC Driver License and SSA information when they register. However, if you are a first-time voter whose identification data did not match, you will be notified by mail of required identification that you will need to present before voting for the first time. Acceptable ID includes a current NC driver license or other government issued photo ID, or one of these documents with your name and current address: utility bill (electric, gas, phone, water, cable bill), pay-stub/W-2, bank statement, or any document from any government agency. NCGS 163-166.12 5. IF YOU HAVE MOVED. If you have moved from one place to another within the same county and have not updated your registration, you can update your registration and vote at an Early Voting One-Stop site in your county. Specific rules apply if you wait until Election Day: If you have lived in your new location more than 30 days, you have the right to vote in your new precinct or at a central location. If you have moved, but have lived in your new location less than 30 days, you must vote in your old precinct or cast a provisional ballot in your new precinct. If you have moved within your precinct, you have the right to update your information at the polls and vote. NCGS 163-82.15""

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 4:00 AM. Reason : .]

10/28/2010 3:55:03 AM

For every one who was on the edge of their seats, I voted today.

10/28/2010 5:26:44 PM

Candidate issues information site? Just check McDonalds!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/us/politics/30ohio.html?src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB

Quote :

"McDonald’s workers were merely given their employer’s opinion. They were not – contrary to the title of your report – “told whom to vote for.” Indeed, given the secret ballot, any such command would have had as much teeth as a flounder has fur. So why is McDonald’s facing possible criminal charges for this action? Is it wrong for an employer to express an opinion to employees about which candidates are best for business? Are employees so stupid and paranoid that they cannot be trusted to be exposed to such opinions? If so, then let’s also criminalize the incessant barrage of such opinions – often phrased in tones far more apocalyptic than the one used by McDonald’s – coming from U.S. Presidents, members of Congress, and newspaper editorialists."

http://cafehayek.com/2010/10/fast-fools.html

10/30/2010 2:19:24 PM

Quote :

"WASHINGTON — When workers in a McDonald’s restaurant in Canton, Ohio, opened their paychecks this month, they found a pamphlet urging them to vote for the Republican candidates for governor, Senate and Congress, or possibly face financial repercussions."

Weird. I mean I've heard of companies making endorsements, and donating money, but never slipping in voting suggestions in with your pay check.

Quote :

"Mr. Schulman, who is a lawyer, said that distribution of the pamphlet — which was printed on a McDonald’s letterhead — violates a 1953 Ohio statute that prohibits political material from being attached to wage envelopes. He declined to comment on how he got a copy, or who gave it to him, but said it was distributed to employees within the past week."

Apparently, its prohibited in Ohio too.

10/30/2010 2:35:45 PM