Comments on: The Simple Math Behind The Power Of The Swing Vote http://blog.steffanantonas.com/the-simple-math-behind-the-power-of-the-swing-vote.htm A Blog on Community, Design and Technology Sun, 18 Jul 2010 07:02:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: joel moss http://blog.steffanantonas.com/the-simple-math-behind-the-power-of-the-swing-vote.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2651 joel moss Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:24:59 +0000 http://blog.steffanantonas.com/?p=116#comment-2651 In answer to question 1 up there, I don't think there is an increase of independent thinking, as much as there is an increase in alienation from traditional party politics. <br><br>To that end, even though I'm a firm believer in Obama and most of his ideas, if Bloomberg had really thrown his weight into an independent bid for president with the cash at his command, I would absolutely have voted for him because I agree with enough of what he seems to stand for, and I desperately want a third party that represents the gray area between the democrats and republicans in this country. In answer to question 1 up there, I don't think there is an increase of independent thinking, as much as there is an increase in alienation from traditional party politics.

To that end, even though I'm a firm believer in Obama and most of his ideas, if Bloomberg had really thrown his weight into an independent bid for president with the cash at his command, I would absolutely have voted for him because I agree with enough of what he seems to stand for, and I desperately want a third party that represents the gray area between the democrats and republicans in this country.

]]> By: joel moss http://blog.steffanantonas.com/the-simple-math-behind-the-power-of-the-swing-vote.htm/comment-page-1#comment-300 joel moss Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:24:59 +0000 http://blog.steffanantonas.com/?p=116#comment-300 In answer to question 1 up there, I don't think there is an increase of independent thinking, as much as there is an increase in alienation from traditional party politics. <br><br>To that end, even though I'm a firm believer in Obama and most of his ideas, if Bloomberg had really thrown his weight into an independent bid for president with the cash at his command, I would absolutely have voted for him because I agree with enough of what he seems to stand for, and I desperately want a third party that represents the gray area between the democrats and republicans in this country. In answer to question 1 up there, I don't think there is an increase of independent thinking, as much as there is an increase in alienation from traditional party politics.

To that end, even though I'm a firm believer in Obama and most of his ideas, if Bloomberg had really thrown his weight into an independent bid for president with the cash at his command, I would absolutely have voted for him because I agree with enough of what he seems to stand for, and I desperately want a third party that represents the gray area between the democrats and republicans in this country.

]]> By: Steffan http://blog.steffanantonas.com/the-simple-math-behind-the-power-of-the-swing-vote.htm/comment-page-1#comment-299 Steffan Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:21:52 +0000 http://blog.steffanantonas.com/?p=116#comment-299 I think it would be interesting to see what would happen in an election if we had a Republican President run on the same ticket as a Democratic VP, or vice versa. As we see more and more candidates identify themselves as "independent thinkers", will that strategy ever be used with success? I think it would be interesting to see what would happen in an election if we had a Republican President run on the same ticket as a Democratic VP, or vice versa. As we see more and more candidates identify themselves as “independent thinkers”, will that strategy ever be used with success?

]]> By: Steffan http://blog.steffanantonas.com/the-simple-math-behind-the-power-of-the-swing-vote.htm/comment-page-1#comment-298 Steffan Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:26:37 +0000 http://blog.steffanantonas.com/?p=116#comment-298 A little more on swing voting - Penn actually goes on in the chapter to make some interesting inferences about why the division of America into “two camps” is a myth…<br><br>"It’s the growth in mass media and communications that has fueled [independent thinking], and that gives voters more ability to judge the competence of their leaders and their policies. Though the Internet has seemed to spawn more fragmented movements, the vital center remains the decisive sliver of voters."<br><br>No matter what you’re political views, I think the recognition of a trend toward independent thinking is positive news for the US and democracy in general. It does however have some negative implications though. On a macro level, this raises a few questions:<br><br>1) If populations of independent thinkers are truly growing, can we expect the political strategies that focus on capturing the attention of swing voters to intensify in this and in future elections? and, if so...<br><br>2) Will candidates seek innovative ways of using technologies to closely target smaller and smaller niches of voters? Think long-tail politics using services like Youtube, Twitter, Facebook etc.<br><br> 3) Can we expect the politics between candidates to get increasingly personal (and nasty) as candidates fight for the votes of independent thinkers at the center? Politics between presidential candidates always gets nasty because, well...election after election proves that sniping at your opponent WORKS, especially for grabbing those voters who are on the fence (sad but true). <br><br>I'd be interested if anyone's got any thoughts (or links to articles) on this.<br><br>Anyone have ideas on this? A little more on swing voting – Penn actually goes on in the chapter to make some interesting inferences about why the division of America into “two camps” is a myth…

“It’s the growth in mass media and communications that has fueled [independent thinking], and that gives voters more ability to judge the competence of their leaders and their policies. Though the Internet has seemed to spawn more fragmented movements, the vital center remains the decisive sliver of voters.”

No matter what you’re political views, I think the recognition of a trend toward independent thinking is positive news for the US and democracy in general. It does however have some negative implications though. On a macro level, this raises a few questions:

1) If populations of independent thinkers are truly growing, can we expect the political strategies that focus on capturing the attention of swing voters to intensify in this and in future elections? and, if so…

2) Will candidates seek innovative ways of using technologies to closely target smaller and smaller niches of voters? Think long-tail politics using services like Youtube, Twitter, Facebook etc.

3) Can we expect the politics between candidates to get increasingly personal (and nasty) as candidates fight for the votes of independent thinkers at the center? Politics between presidential candidates always gets nasty because, well…election after election proves that sniping at your opponent WORKS, especially for grabbing those voters who are on the fence (sad but true).

I'd be interested if anyone's got any thoughts (or links to articles) on this.

Anyone have ideas on this?

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