People who vote based on messageboard content.

[CoffeeCat]

Voting is a serious act.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires active participation and
a serious, informed electorate that reads about the candidates, studies policies
and analyzes voting records and experience. Most of us have the opportunity to see
the candidates in person, and it's so exciting.

I am astounded that people are angrily voting FOR a candidate or AGAINST
a candidate---solely based on a few messageboard posts. There are actually people
proclaiming that they will not vote for a candidate, because supporters
of that particular candidate are behaving badly in the online world.

Do online posters sometimes say irrational, controversial and insulting things? Sure. Should
anyone base their precious vote on the ramblings of these anonymous virtual voices? Clearly, if
you are a serious person--who cares about democracy, the answer is NO.

In my opinion, you'd really have to suspend reality to pull this off: Getting angry in the virtual world; then
carrying that online baggage around for a few days; and then proceeding into the voting booth still
lugging that baggage ; and finally--basing a vote on that baggage.

Am I the only one who thinks this is bizarre?

Every American who is voting today--has extraordinary access to the candidates. The
candidates are in your towns, and speaking in your neighborhoods. Local and national
media is saturated with information on the voting records, experience, opinions and
background on all of the candidates.

Yet, there are people who will base your vote on a few exaggerated, anonymous postings?

DU is a wonderful place. There's a lot of news here, and much of the discourse is
insightful and informative. There are many posters who are known for their incredible
prose and thoughts. However, there is a lot of nonsense on here too.

The nonsense isn't bad. It creates a colorful, rollicking, engaging way to get information.
However, to take the most incendiary posts from any messageboard (which exists in the virtual world),
and carry them with you into the voting booth (which is in the real world)--strikes me as ridiculous.

I don't care if you're voting for Obama, Clinton, Edwards or writing in SpongeBob
Squarepants. Your vote should be based on well-reasoned, rational, real-life
research--from a variety of sources--not on a few online virtual voices that have
offended you.

Just my 2 cents.

[Iktomiwicasa]

1. If

your choice is based on all the yammering on DU, you are an idiot.

[NoBorders]

2. A very reasonable post n/t

[beezlebum]

3. K&R n/t

[RandomKoolzip]

4. Very true. Anyone who'd base their vote on how a few supporters

acted on an obscure political message board is acting as irrationally as the posters they seek to condemn with their vote.

[philly_bob]

5. I don't think its crazy to judge candidate by supporters' online behavior.

Certainly not the sole criteria, but definitely something to weigh.

[ursi]

8. the Hillary Clinton supporters I met in person and the ones on here

drove me to look closer at Obama and that's when I switched! There is something "matronly" about the abuse being hurled at people with Hillary facts and fiction. I don't like getting things shoved down my throat as if I am too stupid to decide what is right form me. What a turn off.

Go Obama!!

[joshcryer]

6. This could be just as seasily said about MSM content.

Or local rally content.

Do you think our democracy is just, fair, intellectual, and about the issues?

[Eurobabe]

7. I was pretty much undecided until the weekend

I voted today, based on my own gut feelings and well-thought out reasons. I have been gnawing on this for a months, I have watched almost every one of the debates.

To vote for or against someone based on how supporters on a message board behave is ridiculous and dumb. Fine example of typical herd mentality.

Voting is also a very private act too. :hi:

[TexasObserver]

9. Very good comment.

The most absurd thing I ever read here is that someone is going to vote against a certain candidate because of that person's supporters' conduct here. Say what?!

Short of a water boarding on election day, I'm voting for my choice, and no action by any supporter of any candidate will alter my decision. I wouldn't each change my lunch order on that basis, muchless my vote.

All the imaginary battles that go on here, the back and forth between opposing camps, those are merely individuals behaving badly in a group environment. It shouldn't affect anyone's vote.

I am always reminded of the accurate line from For What It's Worth when it says "mostly say 'hurray for our side!'" People feel strongly, and they mostly say hurray for our side. Unfortunately, some individuals are conditioned throughout life to say hurray for their side by spewing hate speech at those who disagree. And that's where most of the vitriol comes from - a personal inability to accept that people disagree with you, and that's just the way the world is.

[redqueen]

10. No worse than the idiots voting

based on what they heard some overpaid, complicit jackasses on teevee say.

[suston96]

11. Seriously, I haven't seen or heard anyone doing that on this very enlightened board.

Matter of fact, those overpaid jackasses are held in low esteem here on DU and most other forum boards.

It's the pollsters we all believe in and we use to make our decisions.........

[redqueen]

12. You kiddin?

People are quoting those gasbags left and right. Tucker said this. Novak said that.

:eyes:

on edit: and as if that wasn't enough... just to add insult to injury... idiots are using repuke talking points to trash respectable pundits like Krugman.

:crazy:

[suston96]

13. No kidding. LOL.

[IronLionZion]

14. Yeah you're absolutely right.

I am disappointed to see that around here, and the negativity too.

I'm caucusing for Barack tonight, but that decision was not affected at all by any of his or Hillary's supporters in GD:P. Fuck them all. I kept my Obama support on the DL around here just to avoid being associated with those assholes. I like Barack, but I don't like his supporters here. His supporters are so unlike their candidate.

[MissDeeds]

15. Excellent points

I also find it absurd that people will say that they are going to support a candidate based primarily on race or gender. To say "I am going to vote for Hillary because it's time we have a woman president" or to say "I'm going to vote for Obama because it's time we have a Black president" does the candidate no favors and trivializes what he/she is all about. That's like saying I'd vote for any woman or any Black candidate. To fully understand and believe in a candidate's ideals, agenda, and platform is to truly support your candidate.

By the same token, I take exception with voters who decide to support a candidate because of others' hostility toward that candidate. How many times have we read here lately that someone has decided on BO or HRC to protest the hateful comments made about him/her? Do we really want to select a nominee and presidential candidate based on sympathy? That's as inane as voting for someone because you'd like to have a beer with them.

Like the OP, I don't care who you vote for, but I hope with all my might that your choice is based on a shared value system and a steadfast belief that this candidate can be a great president.