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It's a simplification, but think of the political spectrum as having a single dimension, from Libertarian to Leftist. On that spectrum, I'd put Obama as being Liberal, Clinton moderate Liberal, and McCain moderate Conservative. The U.S. population is roughly distributed as a bell-curve, with relatively few voters at the extreme tails and the most voters from moderate Liberal to moderate Conservative.
With Obama the apparent Democratic nominee, McCain can shift his message to the left a bit, to pick up some Clinton supporters, without endangering his vote totals from the conservatives (who might hold their noses, but still vote for McCain). Reagan did the same against Dukakis.
This is why 3rd party candidates pose a big risk... they could siphon off those voters who would otherwise have to choose between the "Big Two."
Stalin and Kucinich would be mentioned in the same breath just like Ron Paul and Mussolini. There should be some sort of a scale that measures both restrictions on personal freedoms and "economic" freedoms simulataneously.
Of course it's simplistic. But the math (and the visualization) for an N-dimensional space wouldn't work well here. Matrix algebra is best left to computers.
But I think my point is valid... knowing Obama is the opposing candidate allows McCain to emphasize the messages that might capture former Clinton voters.
Stalin and Kucinich would be mentioned in the same breath just like Ron Paul and Mussolini. There should be some sort of a scale that measures both restrictions on personal freedoms and "economic" freedoms simulataneously.
This quiz is more complicated than just conservative/liberal.
Am I interpreting this correctly, WVUph? Are you saying that the numbers aren't generated with the right criteria?
When I took this quiz, I think the results were fairly accurate. It's just that some issues aren't as black and white as the limited choices presented.
Am I interpreting this correctly, WVUph? Are you saying that the numbers aren't generated with the right criteria?
When I took this quiz, I think the results were fairly accurate. It's just that some issues aren't as black and white as the limited choices presented.
There is another quiz out there with more detailed questions that produces a similar table. I'll take a look for it when I have time.
I don't like that quiz, either. I have a feeling it was designed by a libertarian to make said philosophy appear to be the most superior. With economics, I'd like to see libertarianist views in the middle, then communistic and fascist views as the extremes. There was actually this one I saw online a while back that I thought was brilliant. I'll try to find it...
I like this one. Pink represents the range of current American Establishment ideology. There is an entire article about it, too. Interesting read.
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