“Presidential Primary Storm Heading This Way.”
Washington voters are often overlooked every four years in the presidential primary/caucus storm for one of two simple reason. Either, because by early March after 11 other primaries it may be expected that both parties have narrowed their choices down to one each, or because its proximity to “Super-Tuesday” on which ten states hold their primary or caucus. Only three days separate Washington’s caucus on Saturday March 3rd from Super-Tuesday on March 6. There are still 7 primaries after yesterday’s Florida Primary until this political hurricane reaches the Evergreen State. But as this process draws out, it seems that in a little over a month, Americans may still be watching closing to see who will challenge the President in November. Many of us would like to give advice to candidates vying for the electoral votes of the party loyalists in this state.
If given that opportunity, I’d like to suggest some things that may or may not actually help candidates win, but will certainly make them more deserving of a win and may actually score points with Washington’s “let’s get real” pragmatic attitude toward life:
1-Be Yourself. Simply put, candidates, Washingtonians are well-equipped with a bologna meter. Pretending to be just like us, when you clearly aren’t, will only breed distrust.
2-Be Honest. Let’s be clear. Newt Gingrich has never been a lobbyist, President Obama is not a secret Muslim terrorist, Mitt Romney didn’t get rich by killing strong companies and firing people just for fun. In the heat of an election it becomes easy to adopt dishonest sound-bites that scare people away from another candidate. It may play well in certain parts of this country. I really don’t believe it will play well here.
3-Be realistic. Promising things that no one politician, even if he is or becomes president, can deliver will only cause us not to take you seriously.
4-Be positive. Things are tough. We know it. We get it. But, we haven’t forgotten that we live in the greatest place to live anywhere on planet Earth. And last, but not least:
5-Be clear. In other words, candidates, tell us your plan and be specific. Washington State is, arguably, the heart the of information age. We know the records of the candidates and we are familiar with the rhetoric. Here’s what I believe we truly want to hear. Tell us what your vision is for where America can be in four and eight years. Then, tell us your plan to get us there. On March 3rd you might find out that if Washingtonians like your plan, it will matter more to us than how much we like you or dislike the other guys.
G.E. Cummings
REACTION~2/1/12
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 13:57
Washington voters are often overlooked every four years in the presidential primary/caucus storm for one of two simple reason. Either, because by early March after 11 other primaries it may be expected that both parties have narrowed their choices down to one each, or because its proximity to “Super-Tuesday” on which ten states hold their primary or caucus. Only three days separate Washington’s caucus on Saturday March 3rd from Super-Tuesday on March 6. There are still 7 primaries after yesterday’s Florida Primary until this political hurricane reaches the Evergreen State. But as this process draws out, it seems that in a little over a month, Americans may still be watching closing to see who will challenge the President in November. Many of us would like to give advice to candidates vying for the electoral votes of the party loyalists in this state.
If given that opportunity, I’d like to suggest some things that may or may not actually help candidates win, but will certainly make them more deserving of a win and may actually score points with Washington’s “let’s get real” pragmatic attitude toward life:
1-Be Yourself. Simply put, candidates, Washingtonians are well-equipped with a bologna meter. Pretending to be just like us, when you clearly aren’t, will only breed distrust.
2-Be Honest. Let’s be clear. Newt Gingrich has never been a lobbyist, President Obama is not a secret Muslim terrorist, Mitt Romney didn’t get rich by killing strong companies and firing people just for fun. In the heat of an election it becomes easy to adopt dishonest sound-bites that scare people away from another candidate. It may play well in certain parts of this country. I really don’t believe it will play well here.
3-Be realistic. Promising things that no one politician, even if he is or becomes president, can deliver will only cause us not to take you seriously.
4-Be positive. Things are tough. We know it. We get it. But, we haven’t forgotten that we live in the greatest place to live anywhere on planet Earth. And last, but not least:
5-Be clear. In other words, candidates, tell us your plan and be specific. Washington State is, arguably, the heart the of information age. We know the records of the candidates and we are familiar with the rhetoric. Here’s what I believe we truly want to hear. Tell us what your vision is for where America can be in four and eight years. Then, tell us your plan to get us there. On March 3rd you might find out that if Washingtonians like your plan, it will matter more to us than how much we like you or dislike the other guys.
G.E. Cummings
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