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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.)
I had a problem with Obama supporting one Democrat running for senate in my state against another in the caucuses. I have no problem with Obama or anyone else supporting their party's candidate in the general election.
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.)
I looked at your original question as meaning elected officials taking part in these campaigns. Obama is an elected official but the others you listed are not sitting in any chair of elected power. I agree with Katiana that him taking part in the primaries was just wrong but don't expect him to not take part in trying to keep his necessary numbers in Congress and even in the gubernatorial seats. I don't like it but I do not think that others have been kept from doing what he is doing so even though I voted NO I really don't see anything wrong with him doing it in the general elections.
If corporations have "rights" - I can see how we can remove rights from any citizen, elected or not.
I know what you are talking about considering corporations but just don't see that your post makes any sense. Maybe you need to get some sleep like I am getting ready to do.
I'm not sure if I am the biggest fan of the process at time, but generally ok with it. National Politicians whether it be the President or someone in the Senate or Congress want those in office who will support their ideas and who they agree with. So it generally makes sense that they will look to help out candidates they would like to see win.
Getting that big name can help with fundraising as well as help energize a base. Whether it be on the right or the left. When it comes down to it, its up to the voters of the state that make the decision. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. Other times it helps in a Primary, but hurts in the general.`
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 [want].
If what the people of your state want is to take Obama's advice on who to vote for, that's their free choice. If they want to ignore Obama, that's also their free choice.
Politicians don't campaign for other politicians against their will. If a candidate wants to say, in effect "If you like so-and-so, you'll like me too", that is not disadvantaging his constituents; on the contrary, it's offering them a clearer choice.
If you're dumb enough to abdicate making an informed decision of your own candidate to another politician who shows up strictly to campaign for them... turn in your voter card,sit at home on election day and chant "hope and change" over and over.
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.)
Until the only ones who can finance a local election or run commercials for a election are people who can vote in the election, it's a free for all.
Here in my state, we have the "committee for this" out of Texas running ads, and the "Group for that" out of Montana running ads and another set coming from a group that has a PO Box in DC. Do you thing these groups have the best interest in my state as their priority. But they are spending millions with attack ads or ads supporting this candidate or that. (With one groups ads, they are actually making me consider not voting for their guy, and going with the other)
So at this point, I'd rather have people who will give face time, rather then a slew of slick propaganda.
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