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This has been bothering me. We're constantly hearing on the news about Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Bill Clinton and numerous other national figures flying across the nation to rally for candidates up for election.
Obama has actually been to my state a number of times, and I can't help but think: Wait a second. Why does Barack Obama have any say in my state's elections? He's not a resident of my state. In fact, he's never lived here. Congressional members are supposed to represent the interests of the people living in their state, not the interests of the national executive branch. That's the whole point of there being separate branches of government. This election is not about what Barack Obama wants, this election is about what people of my state what. He has no business trying to assert his will here.
But then, who knows, maybe I'm missing something. I'm open to persuasion if someone can defend this practice.
What do you guys think? Do you think national intervention is appropriate, or do you think national politicians should butt out of elections that don't concern them? Why?
(NOTE: this is not a political/ideological debate. I mentioned Obama specifically because he's been here, but I would be just as bothered if it was a national Republican figure doing the same thing. So lets not turn this into a liberal/conservative thing.)
what local/state elections are you talking about...certainly not state senators/assebmlypersons
obama, palin, etc. have been involved in NATIONAL elections..your US senator, and US congressperson, may represent your district/state...but they are NATIONAL
This has been bothering me. We're constantly hearing on the news about Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Bill Clinton and numerous other national figures flying across the nation to rally for candidates up for election.
Obama has actually been to my state a number of times, and I can't help but think: Wait a second. Why does Barack Obama have any say in my state's elections? He's not a resident of my state. In fact, he's never lived here. Congressional members are supposed to represent the interests of the people living in their state, not the interests of the national executive branch. That's the whole point of there being separate branches of government. This election is not about what Barack Obama wants, this election is about what people of my state what. He has no business trying to assert his will here.
But then, who knows, maybe I'm missing something. I'm open to persuasion if someone can defend this practice.
What do you guys think? Do you think national intervention is appropriate, or do you think national politicians should butt out of elections that don't concern them? Why?
(NOTE: this is not a political/ideological debate. I mentioned Obama specifically because he's been here, but I would be just as bothered if it was a national Republican figure doing the same thing. So lets not turn this into a liberal/conservative thing.)
"Is it OK for national politicians to get involved in local/state
elections?"
what local/state elections are you talking about...certainly not state senators/assebmlypersons
obama, palin, etc. have been involved in NATIONAL elections..your US senator, and US congressperson, may represent your district/state...but they are NATIONAL
I respectfully disagree (to the bold section).
They are elected by the people of the state. To represent our interests to the larger national body. They are local.
They are elected by the people of the state. To represent our interests to the larger national body. They are local.
That's how I interpret it, as well. I get that the senate is a function of the national government, but the senators themselves are meant to represent their state, not the whole nation, which is why only the people of that state are entitled a vote. I have a hard time calling a senate race a national election, when the whole nation isn't voting.
Anyway, I'm including gubernatorial races, etc. as well in this question. I'm pretty sure national figures have been in town campaigning for our potential governor. That one really baffled me, actually, as a state governor doesn't even have a voice in congress or national affairs.
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