How We Reason About Politics (And Why It Matters): A Survey

A friend of mine is piloting a survey about political reasoning. I encourage you to take it. It only takes a few minutes and I think you’ll find it to be interesting (much better than all those lame Facebook quizzes).

Click here to take the survey.

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Elder Ballard: Regardless of Party Affliction (er, Affiliation) Pray for Obama

I received the following report in an email newsletter from my friend Don Jarvis (quoted with his permission):

A senior LDS apostle recently told Provoans that “We need to pray for our new president, regardless of party affliction, I mean, affiliation.”  Speaking on January 25^th in the Provo Tabernacle at the conclusion of an Oak Hills (east Provo) Stake Conference, Apostle M. Russell Ballard spoke warmly of the inauguration, read excerpts from President Obama’s inaugural address, advised members to read it, and said, “I like his emphasis on personal responsibility.”  The audience chuckled at the “affliction” slip, but was otherwise unusually hushed and attentive as Elder Ballard voiced his strong support for our the new Democratic President.  

Some “Alternative” Presidential Candidates

Don’t like McCain or Obama?

Well, you do have other choices.

Of course, there are the more visible third-party or independent choices: Charles “Chuck” Baldwin (Constitutional), Ralph Nader (Independent), Bob Barr (Libertarian), and Cynthia McKinney (Green).

But I bet you haven’t heard of some of these other “worthy” candidates (be sure to check out the links):

Obama vs. McCain 2008: Who Will You Vote For and Why?

We have finally reached the end of our weekly forum on the presidential election. We have had many great discussions on a range of topics, such as character, Iraq, the economy, abortion, relationship with LDS Church, health care, faith and family values, terrorism and diplomacy, education, and political corruption. Click here to see the full list of topics.

One of the great things that has been achieved in these forums, I think, is a respectful demonstration of a diversity of political viewpoints held by faithful Latter-day Saints. This kind of conversation, unfortunately, is rare — and so I applaud everyone for making it happen.

Now is the time, for those who are willing, to declare which presidential candidate you are going to vote for (or have already voted for). Be sure to explain why. Arguments for third-party or independent tickets (or even for staying home, I suppose) are welcome. Feel free to make predictions also. Again, please keep things respectful; if you wish to bash a candidate, this is not the place.

If you feel more comfortable using a pseudonym (fake name), feel free to do so.

(By the way, this is TMB’s 100th post!)

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 21: Symbolism of President

This is the twenty-first of a weekly series of public forums on TMB.

Arguably, one of the most important and consequential factors of a U.S. president is not simply what the president does, but what he/she symbolizes.

What might be the national or international consequences of what a McCain or Obama presidency would symbolize? Feel free to also weigh in on what this might mean, if anything, for the growth of the Church.

Be sure to visit next week (beginning Monday, October 27) for our final round, Who Will You Vote for and Why? This is your chance to declare who you will be voting for and why. Arguments for third-party or independent tickets (or even for staying home, I suppose) will also be welcome.

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 19: Illegal Immigration

This is the nineteenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

Illegal immigration. McCain. Obama.

Discuss.

Next week: Race and Gender Issues

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 18: Crisis Intervention

This is the eighteenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

This topic is arguably more important than any other, as far as the next President is concerned. Especially considering the recent economic crisis on Wall Street. (Feel free to comment on what each candidate had to say about this at the recent debate.)

Which candidate will do the best at handling these kinds of crises?

We can certainly look to events of recent months to compare the way the candidates handled things: Wall Street, energy concerns, the Russia-Georgia conflict, and Hurricane Ike. (There are separate forums for discussing Iraq; the economy; oil, energy, and the environment; and terrorism and diplomacy.)

What do you think?

Next week: Illegal Immigration

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 17: Urban Concerns

This is the seventeenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

Urban concerns. Something that has not been talked about all that much for the general election. And something that I know little about, as far as McCain and Obama are concerned (especially McCain).

Possible topics: Homelessness, poverty, gang violence, drug abuse, welfare, teen pregnancy, AIDS, health care, and educational equality.

Discuss.

Reminder: The first presidential debate is this Friday (Sept. 26).

Next week: Crisis Intervention

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Playing the “Democrat Card”: Utah County Politics

We’ve heard a lot this campaign season about playing the gender card or race card. But there’s another kind of card-playing that is unique to highly conservative areas, such as Utah County, Utah: playing the “Democrat card.” This is the story of a Utah County Republican who is playing the Democrat card in order to distract voters from the real issues surrounding his campaign for reelection.

Republican Stephen D. Clark, a four-term representative for Utah House District 63 (East Provo), has never had a challenger printed next to his name on a November ballot.

Until now.

Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 16: Cindy McCain vs. Michelle Obama

This is the sixteenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

The topic of this week’s forum regards the two potential First Ladies: Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama. I’ll leave this fairly open, but I want to keep it focused on what is most important (e.g., who will be a better First Lady, who will be a good role model, etc.). Degrading comments are inappropriate and will be deleted.

Substantive comments concerning possible roles of the First Lady are welcome.

Next week: Urban Concerns

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Obama and Truth

If you wish to know the real truth about Obama, click here:

The Truth.

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 15: Political Corruption

This is the fifteenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

This week’s forum topic is timely considering the recent makeover of McCain-Palin as the mavericks who will take on political corruption.

What do you think? Which candidate is best suited to fight political corruption in Washington?

Next week: Cindy McCain vs. Michelle Obama

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 14: Education

This is the fourteenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

In keeping with the start of a new school year, the topic of this week’s post is on education (I apologize the post is a day late, due to Labor Day).

The key similarities and differences, as far as I can tell, between McCain and Obama (source is CNN’s Election Center):

“Is Sarah Palin a Mormon?” Many Are Asking

Ever since I put up this post announcing McCain’s VP pick of Alaska governor Sarah Palin, I’ve been surprised how many people are wondering if Palin is a Mormon.

Check out my search engine stats (updated 6 p.m. MST):

McCain’s VP: Goodbye Romney, Hello Sarah Palin

CNN has just confirmed that Sarah Palin, the 44-year old Alaska governor, is McCain’s VP pick.

Why not Romney? Your thoughts?

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Person Sarah Palin

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 13: Terrorism and Diplomacy

This is the thirteenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

Terrorism. Diplomacy.

McCain. Obama.

Discuss.

(Keep in mind that there is a separate forum for Iraq.)

Next week: Education

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VP Choices: Biden and … Romney?

I just left the following comment on the McCain vs. Obama VP forum. I’d like to hear what you think about it, but I’ve closed comments on this post and am encouraging you to leave comments on the original VP post instead.

Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 12: Age and Experience

This is the twelfth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

This week’s forum is on the topics of age and experience.

Is McCain’s age more of an asset or a liability? Obama’s youth? The candidates’ experience?

Discuss.

Next week: Terrorism and Diplomacy

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 11: Oil, Energy, and the Environment

This is the eleventh of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday.

OIl. Energy. The environment.

McCain. Obama.

Discuss.

Next week: Age and Experience

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Obama vs. McCain 2008: Round 10: Faith and Family Values

This is the tenth of a weekly series of public forums on TMB. Watch for a new round every Monday. The schedule and comment policy are available here.

Certainly an important area for most Latter-day Saints is a presidential candidate’s values on faith and family, including issues from their personal life.

There is LOTS to talk about here. Some suggested topics: