David Hardt

Can we get back to the issues, please?

What has come about in this year’s election process? I have been following the primaries closely, and I am disappointed in the direction the primaries have taken and wonder what happened to the issues that America is really dealing with. As I watched the debate the other night, I was amazed at how long it took to get to the main issue — approximately 45 worthless minutes. Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos moderated this debate and showed once again that the issues that are important to them are what I call Paris Hilton politics. Some of the questions that were asked are the same old ones that have been asked months and even a year ago.

The next day as I sat in my class I asked some of the students as well as my professor what they thought about the debate. Since both candidates — Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton — have made ending the war in Iraq an issue in their campaigns, I have noticed that men and women in uniform are paying closer attention to what is going on in the political arena. One issue some of the students were disappointed with was the fact that both candidates are spending time playing sandbox politics. When an imperative issue comes up, they both have a tendency to look back at the other’s record rather than look forward to what we, the citizens of this country, are truly worried about. No one I have come across really cares if Obama wears an American flag pin or are truly concerned about Hillary slipping up about getting shot at by a sniper on a visit to a foreign country. The class as well as the professor agreed that this kind of politics is only causing division in our country, especially among those who embrace the Democratic Party.

So with all that in mind, I decided to ask the hard-working people of our country some questions. Who are political party delegates? Who are super delegates? What is the electoral college, and how does it work? And finally the most important question: What issues should the candidates be discussing the most? While asking these questions, I found out quickly that some folks are really removed from politics.

Here’s one funny interview I will not forget. “Who do you think is going to win this year’s election?” The young man confidently answered me: “I think Al Gore will win this year; I think he is leading in the polls.” I had to correct him and tell him Gore is not even in the race. The look he gave me was priceless, and then he replied, “Well, then I will vote for Bill. He did a great job while he was in.” I replied, “Do you mean Hillary?” He smiled at me and said, “A vote for her is like a vote for him.”

As I pushed on, I was sure to stay clear of pubs and anyone who might be under the influence of something illegal. I made my way to the wall, and then while at the races this week, I asked 200 people the following.

What are political party delegates?

Delegates are people who attend a political party national convention and who elect the party nominee. Some states select delegates during a presidential primary and others during caucuses; some states also have a state convention where national convention delegates are selected. Some delegates represent state congressional districts; some are "at large" and represent the entire state. A candidate needs 2,025 delegates for the nomination.

Who are super delegates?

Super delegates in the Democratic Party are typically members of the Democratic National Committee, elected officials such as senators or governors, or party leaders. They do not have to indicate a candidate preference and do not have to compete for their position. If a super delegate dies or is unable to participate at the convention, alternates do not replace that delegate, which would reduce the total delegate number and the number needed to clinch the nomination.
(Source CNNpolitics.com)

How the electoral college works

Instead of voting directly for a presidential candidate (and his or her vice-presidential running mate), voters in the 50 states and the District of Columbia vote for a slate of "electors" who are pledged to vote for a particular presidential ticket (president/vice-president team). The political parties in each state select a slate of electors. The electors selected by the party of the candidate winning the most popular votes in a state become the electors for that state.

Instead of just tallying the total number of votes cast across the nation in presidential elections, votes are counted state by state. The winner of the popular vote in each state is awarded the electoral votes for that state. The candidate winning the majority of electoral votes wins.
Given this arrangement, it is possible to win the popular vote and lose the electoral vote. In fact, this has happened on three different occasions.

One of the things I learned while gathering this information is that many people are disconnected from the whole election process. One of the main reasons for this that was brought up was that young and old people alike feel that their votes really don’t count. I spoke to one older couple who was doing their shopping in the mall. From them I gained a great deal of insight into what different demographics are thinking. This couple has a loved one serving in the military, and they are really proud of him. This couple believes that what the military is doing is the right thing. They went on by commenting that removing troops would cause a great deal of instability. The first thing they said was that they are Republicans, and they both believe that the president is doing the best he can. While out doing interviews, I never tell people that I am a service member; however, I have come across some who have read my articles, and therefore, they know I serve in the Army. In past interviews the question has switched to me and what I felt, and sometimes that dilutes the whole process. But with this couple I felt comfortable enough to tell them I am in the Army and that I have been on two tours. This being the only couple I talked to all weekend who said they wanted the troops to stay in Iraq, I thought it was like finding a needle in a haystack. After 30 minutes of having a calm and cool debate going back and forth with valid information, I realized that for once in some time I had found two people who had the facts about the war and they also knew the downside to it.

It really saddens me that so many people are disconnected from one of the most important things that happens in our lives — voting for the person who will lead our nation. I am pleased to say that most of the military personnel I talked to knew exactly who they wanted to run the country next and told me that they will be at the polls in November. I know that many Americans think that over the years the political process has become diluted and brought false promises such as lower taxes, balanced budget, smaller federal government, and responsible foreign policy. To some, the constitution has become nothing more than an old document rather than a statement that represents who we are as a people. I know we all don’t agree with what is going on in this country, but the reality of the matter is if we all sit back and say, “Hell, what can I do about it?” then what we’re really doing is putting our future in someone else’s hands, and for me that just won’t work.

Comments

[Melissa]

Mr. Hardt
I have read this part over and over.I then had my co workers read it. Mr. Hardt- you are so talented. You should be a speech writer. I wasn't going to vote but after reading this I am- thank you from the bottom of my heart. God your wife should be proud to have a man write like you do.

"I know that many Americans think that over the years the political process has become diluted and brought false promises such as lower taxes, balanced budget, smaller federal government, and responsible foreign policy. To some, the constitution has become nothing more than an old document rather than a statement that represents who we are as a people. I know we all don’t agree with what is going on in this country, but the reality of the matter is if we all sit back and say, “Hell, what can I do about it?” then what we’re really doing is putting our future in someone else’s hands, and for me that just won’t work."

[mindy williams]

This was a well thought out article. I respect the fact that your go out and gather information and get the peoples view. From all the readings, I am sure that your life in journalism is a given. Ranger, you have a star, hope you can keep him when he leaves the Army. I know Army familes that love this guy.

Mindy williams and Family.