Monday, January 28, 2008

Personality Issues

Oh, man. I can't believe I made this political post* sound like I was jumping on the issues bandwagon. I'm sure you have heard people imply that if you are intelligent, you will base your vote only on issues - if you consider personalities of candidates, you are a soft-minded fool.

Well, I'd like to make it clear that I do not agree with that opinion. Issues are good, but you never know what issues will be important in a candidate's term in office. For example, eight years ago, who foresaw the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, and Valerie Plame as important issues? We can't foresee all situations that may arise, but if we pay attention to personality, we might get an idea how a candidate will respond when new and unexpected issues come up. Do they hire the best people or their friends in the old boys' network? Are they too stubborn to listen to advice from experts who disagree with them? Are they too worried about waffling to change their minds when new information becomes available? Are they spoiled? short-tempered? insensitive? self-centered? rash?

Personality is an issue.

* In fact, I can't believe I made a political post. And now two.

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