What DU need is a Report Card for all Democrat Elected Representative

[Oversea Visitor]

I think this forum is big enough to provide an indication or guide to all elected representatives on how well they doing their job.

By having this report card system DU might also become a reference point on who should run and who should not be allow to run.

Maybe the Administration of DU can figure a way to have this up. The fact that so much issue is discuss here and the amount of information provided by all members will enable DUer to make good judgement on Representative performance.

[The Sheik]

1. Now that is a great idea.

We could have all of those ratings and things to help us figure out who is a DINO and who is real with their beliefs.

[Oversea Visitor]

2. Yes

I think there is alot of frustration about representative and the report card system will allow all to participate.

The people opinion is important and its time for the people to find a way to communicate this to the Democratic Party. DU now 64k strong has a big enough sample size to do it. This will also attract a lot more people to participate in this forum.

[LittleClarkie]

3. This is a good site for checking out officials

www.vote-smart.org

[Oversea Visitor]

4. Might be

But a check and balance system from a real high traffic site will have a bigger impact on the elected representatives.

DUer are generally well inform and read a wide range of subject. DU has been getting a lot of attention recently. like bush would say
"Time for the people to show their political capital" haha.

[Career Prole]

6. Ha! Beat me to it! n/t

[Oversea Visitor]

8. Ooops

Well I read that the faith based has a report card system so why dont DU has one? After all this is information based.

[LittleClarkie]

11. With this group of cats

we're like economists. We're all going to be pointing in a different direction.

Will we agree enough to give folks the same grade?

But I do like your idea, in that folks who live in California can talk about their reps, etc. Esp. around election time, if say the New Yorkers give us their rundown of Hillary, the Massholes tell us about John, etc.

Who better but folks from these people's states to tell us what's the happenings with their hometown boy. That way we can get around the national spin, and find out who these people really are before primary time.

I was going to say set up groups, but then only some folks can post to the groups (you have to be a donor). I don't know what the format could be. Maybe the encyclopedia function that's becoming like our very own Wikpedia. There could be a section for each candidate called something like "What their constituents are saying" or somesuch.

Hmm. Needs work I'm sure.

[Oversea Visitor]

14. Haha

Well then the view will be very balance and reflective. I think a simple YES or NO will be good. The indicator being the percentage.
If the Elected representative wants to know more they always post that as a question in DU.

It is pretty scary if the elected representatives based their performance on the media outlets now. There is so much spin going on that even I am going nuts, and I am on the other side of the world.

The challenge I see is can DU report card be a good indication or feedback to the elected representative. If it is then it will grow by itself and will be refer to by all elected representative.

Ultimately, the report card system if accurate, will by itself has a big influence, a check and measure system where the voters can have a say.

[Career Prole]

5. Although it's a bit more involved than a simple report card

I find Project Vote-Smart quite helpful.
For instance, if you go to the Lieberman section and check how various interest groups have rated him over the years and see...

2002 On the votes that the Conservative Index - The John Birch Society considered to be the most important in 2002, Senator Lieberman voted their preferred position 5 percent of the time.

<snip>

Fall 2004 On the votes that the Conservative Index - The John Birch Society considered to be the most important in Fall 2004, Senator Lieberman voted their preferred position 40 percent of the time.

...you might just find yourself saying "Hmmmmmm....dude's losin' it!"

[Oversea Visitor]

9. Does

It has enough traffic really. Without enough traffic it will just be ignore.

[Us vs Them]

7. I believe one already exists...

Someone posted a link previously to a running scorecard of Democratic Senators in the 109th Congress. I believe it was put together by a thinktank out of Southern California.

Examples I can remember off the top of my head:

Boxer +40

Lieberman -40

Durbin 0

[Oversea Visitor]

10. Well

I was thinking of a more of a feature incorporated into DU. A monthly indicator to all representatives on how well they are doing, how they faring in the eyes of the voters.

[LittleClarkie]

12. Isn't that less a think tank, more of a club?

And the card was a bit heavy handed as far as what they considered important, and their terminology.

I'd rather go and see how they voted, and see how they're ranked by certain groups, and perhaps find out from folks here what they think.

That scorecard only works if you're of the same mind as that club.

[Tinoire]

13. What an excellent idea! It would be truly representativeof what

we, real people among our peers, think.

That way we wouldn't have candidates getting 98% on their environmental vote after they voted to use something as nasty as depleted uranium to destroy the environment in another country.

I like your idea! A DU scorecard :thumbsup:

It would also be really nice to see the roll call on the votes ;)

[American Tragedy]

15. I like the idea

I wouldn't care for just baseless letter grades, but I would enjoy reading and writing meaningful, extensive report cards on candidates throughout the country. It would make it so much easier for all of us to direct money and resources to the American representatives who are really worth it, who address our issues, not just whoever happens to have (D) beside their names. It would be especially beneficial to those of us who live in red states and thus have few compelling local candidates who have a chance of winning. Such individuals could donate to other campaigns throughout the country who better appeal to them.