Clark Has 31 Policy Papers Posted. Kerry Has 24. Dean Has 11

[KittyWampus]

Unless I miscounted.

When Clark put up his new website 3 months ago... some laughed because the "Issues" page said under constructin... and even I had to laugh at that one.

However, how can it be that Clark has been able to flesh out his positions on so many Issues and post over 30 papers on his website and Dean, who has been running for 2 years can only muster 11?

Perhaps I missed something on Dean's website?

[WillyBrandt]

1. They are all PNAC position papers

With supplements by the Illuminanti, the Military Industrial Complex, Axicom, the authors of the Homestead Act, and some of the writers of Sanford and Son.

[Mz Pip]

12. Don't forget

the Kitten Eaters Guild of America. Clark is all about eating kittens when he is not polishing up his Trojan Horse. :crazy:

MzPip
:dem:

[RafterMan]

35. Illuminati

Willy --

Sorry to be pedantic, but under the new rules I think you ought to refer to us as "Illuminatus supporters".

Thanks for understanding.

[Clark Edwards]

2. The more things in print,

the more accountable one makes oneself.

[KittyWampus]

3. I Should Check Edwards Page, Thanks!!!

:)

One would think a lawyer would have a gift for details.

[KittyWampus]

6. Edwards Has 21... Will Read Through More Closely Later

:)

[OrAnarch]

5. politically thats not always a good thing...

Ive read many opinion pieces from strategist hinting that it is not actually to one's advantage to flood people with so many policies that they cannot comprehend, read through them all, or outline a candidates position by a few main decisve issues. Also, it is not good to be too detailed about each one, as it leaves too much to pick at, and can easily be outdone on a detail basis, rather than conceptually.

Im sure its great for people on DU, but then again, we know how to read. The point is to make everyone else vote for him too. :)

[SahaleArm]

10. At this point differentiation is important for anyone not Dean

The issues page is emminently more readable than the old one. The categories break down the papers into 7 basic areas for easier access. The old page was awful.

[OrAnarch]

15. True...

I just do not think quantity is the best method of differentiation, whereas a solidly different and notable stance on an issue would make an impact. We will just have to see. This is all part of campaigning, and may the best campaigner win. To each person, such a strategy will produce markedly different results.

[SahaleArm]

20. Quantifiable information is what separates the plans

For instance go through Clark's economic plan and see how correlating real data makes the plan seem workable, not just hand-waving. It has it's negatives in that there is accountability but if correct you can use it to your advantage. People love numbers - Check out this new addition: http://clark04.com/issues/turnaround/map/

[OrAnarch]

34. Separates but not distinguishes...

IMO, what distinguishes a plan in the minds of a people is a novel approach to a problem which will solve it generally the best way for the most people, presented in such a way anyone can understand.


I do not think quantatifiable information neccessarily distinguishes one plan from any others in terms of the people's perception, because it is key to have them read it in the first place.


I agree you can say such attribute separates them, but then you still have to convince the people of such, and furthermore, convince them why one is better. Understand where I am coming from? Maybe understanding is lost in the semantics between us.

[SahaleArm]

37. Agree - Of course I don't see anyone with a ground-breaking plan...

outside of Kucinich and even his plans aren't way out there. When the differences are small you must use every advantage you can, rhetorically and quantifiably. You can't let the media appoint the winner.

[BootinUp]

4. Clark stole the other guys of course

(thats why they ain't got em)

:hi:

[SahaleArm]

7. Clark's policy papers are quantifiable with facts and figures.

Many of the other candidates have lots of hand-waving.

[WillyBrandt]

8. Clark could never make up anything on his own

Don't you know that? He doesn't have the fine, supple, creative mind of his competitor Democrats...

[eyesroll]

9. Dean's got few main topics, but several papers under each topic

I counted 8 papers under "agriculture, 1 under campaign finance, 18 under civil rights, 7 + his main policy under economy, 3 education, 7 environment, 15 health, 3 labor, 1 native americans, 4 security/foreign policy, 1 women's issues (with links to other parts of his plans). All of these sections also feature links to his statements and his record.

So, no, it's not 11 papers -- it's more than 50.

[ibegurpard]

11. Ooops!

Well, that was a convenient little nugget to leave out wouldn't you say?

[SahaleArm]

14. You are correct but some of those are subheadings in...

Clark's or Kerry's position papers. For instance Dean has some combined stuff as well: http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_policy_economy_reclaimingtheamericandream

[eyesroll]

19. I think the information contained therein is more important

than the numbers of papers, or how they're organized.

I am a journalist. I can write a 3,000-word article about labor violations, or I can write three 1,000-word articles about overtime, illegal subcontracting and a Wal-Mart case study. I've covered the same information to the same depth, just in different formats.

Is Dean (or Kerry or Clark) missing something specific? If so, let him know you want to know his position on it.

[SahaleArm]

24. Content is fine - It's just a different web layout

Actually Dean set the bar by throwing every issue under the sun on to his web page, everyone else played catch-up for a while.

[KittyWampus]

22. No, Dean Has 11 Policy Papers on 11 Topics

Whereas Clark, Kerry and Edwards have more Topics.

Each candidate touches on several points in each of the Main Topics of their Policy Papers.

[eyesroll]

26. OK, but what does Clark, et. al., cover that Dean doesn't?

That's probably a more valid criticism than sheer numbers of topics.

[madfloridian]

13. Look under each Issues topic.....there is a lot more.

I just went there. There are more than 11 under Foreign policy alone. I did not do an exact count, but you just counted the main headings.

I think you should correct that, don't you?

[KittyWampus]

16. Yes!

checking it out...

[KittyWampus]

18. Example: Rural Developement & Agriculture THERE IS ONE PAPER

it is ONE Policy Paper broken down with several bullets...

Under the bullet "Country of Origin Label" is says-

Give consumers the choice they deserve and reward American farmers for their hard work by requiring mandatory country-of-origin labeling.

[eyesroll]

21. If you click "Country of Origin Labeling,"

it brings up a separate page.

The 2002 farm bill included mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat products and fruits and vegetables. This is good policy for consumers and producers. Consumers should have a right to buy American made products if they so choose and farmers should be able to enjoy the premiums that consumers are willing to pay for quality American products.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration and House Republicans are attempting to block the implementation of COOL on behalf of their corporate benefactors in the meatpacking industry. The USDA has estimated that COOL will cost processors $2 billion but an independent study done by the University of Florida set the cost at only $70 to $190 million. It is apparent that the USDA is attempting to sandbag COOL. More ominously, the House has passed an appropriations bill that eliminates funding for COOL entirely. The Senate, thankfully, is likely to restore it. As president, I will ensure that mandatory country-of-origin labeling is instituted as the farm bill called for.

(And then the bullet you mentioned.)

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_policy_agriculture_cool
(Edited to add link.)
I don't know how much more one could say about country-of-origin labeling. He's covered that he supports it, why he supports it, and how to pay for it. What else do you need?

[Zynx]

23. Under Economy there are roughly eight.

[KittyWampus]

33. There Is One Paper Entitled "Reclaiming The American Dream"

click on it and read it.... those aren't seperate Policy Papers you are referring to. They are part of the "Outline" one gets if one breaks down the ONE Policy Paper into Outline form.

ALL the Candidates do this under each of their Main Policy Papers.

[quaker bill]

17. There simply has to be

a better reason to support Clark than this.

[KittyWampus]

25. I'm Just Getting Down To "Issues" Details

on the various Candidates Websites... making sure that I'm not taking things for granted.

[SahaleArm]

29. Yes actually basing it on the issues not the campaign would be bad? n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

39. There are better reasons

But every time Clark supporters start talking about those better reasons some opponent dissmisses all of them with a wave of the hand and the comment "Clark is running of National Security only, he has no domestic policies."

[SahaleArm]

40. Sadly this has so far been an issue free campaign

A campaign for the sake of a campaign won't win the general election. I'm now ready for breaking up the debate into 3 3-person groups or for a few to dropout.

[stickdog]

27. Because he hasn't read them yet. (nt)

[dusingle]

28. LOL!

Clark can't remember what his positions are so he has to have lots of crib notes.

(Can we get those on cue cards?)

:+

[Jerseycoa]

30. Yeah

The man's just got no brain to speak of, just a 180 IQ.

:eyes:

[Zynx]

31. He has a 180 IQ?

I knew it was high, but not that high.

[SahaleArm]

32. Guess that candidate? Hold on let me check with my advisors ;) n/t

[eileen_d]

36. Ah, come on... this is like "my dad can beat up your dad"

(I was going to say "a dick-measuring contest" but that would be too rude -- oops --)

I am glad Clark's web site has more policies, particularly since it started out with the "under construction" gaffe, but we all know that quantity isn't necessarily quality.

[KittyWampus]

38. Except Clark's Also Lists Real Numbers

So one can make a fairly good accessment whether they would actually work. :)

In other words they are both plentiful and quality.

[RetroLounge]

41. That's it? That's your reason to vote for Clark?

Thanks.

So your a size-matters sort of voter, huh?

Can you specify which position papers Clark has that Dean does not discuss on his site? Is there a topic missing that we should know about?

[zulchzulu]

42. Kerry's positions are from experience, not just some speculations

This "counting tthe issue papers" game is a tad silly.

Kerry has real-world experience in issues and policies from his years of being a solid Democrat with strong domestic to foreign policy to national security backgrounds.

I'll take Kerry's policies and issues because I can see actual proof that he knows what he's talking about and continues to bring more excellent ideas to the Senate and hopefully the White House.

Actions speak louder than words.