Need some U.S. presidential candidate help

Hey there guys, I've just turned 18 and I've always been interested in politics and I have some strong opinions. However, I don't think the debates are just enough and so I'm looking for some websites that are simple and concise detailing the candidate's political views on Illegal Immigration, abortion, foreign policy,

I'm definitely more interested in the Republicans but I'd like to see the democrats too.

Any links or basic help from what you know of the candidates would be greatly appreciated.


As a side question: Can regular voters vote for the candidate they want to nominate? How does that work?

Strong opinions? Eghh. My advice to you is: get rid of your opinions and don't pay attention to other peoples' opinions; just look at the facts and be logical and use proper argumentation, or proper speculation if there's no other option.

Politics, heh. Dirty stuff I tell you.

Start here for West Virginia general voting questions. This should answer your "who can vote?" question:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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West Virginia has a "closed" primary, which means that people registered in one party cannot vote for candidates in another party. At the Primary Election, if you have listed a party choice on your voter registration, you will be given the ballot of that party. You will not have the right to receive the ballot of a different party.

If you register with no party affiliation, you will be given a non-partisan ballot (for Board of Education and any issues on the ballot) in the Primary Election. Also, you may request and receive a Republican ballot, but not a Democratic ballot. The political parties have the right to decide who may participate in their nominating processes. The West Virginia Republican Party voted to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their nominations, but the Democratic Party allows only registered Democrats to vote that ballot in the Primary Election.

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To review candidate websites, I suggest googling their name(s).

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Originally Posted by Bijo

Strong opinions? Eghh. My advice to you is: get rid of your opinions and don't pay attention to other peoples' opinions; just look at the facts and be logical and use proper argumentation, or proper speculation if there's no other option.

Politics, heh. Dirty stuff I tell you.

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Good advice.

My own observations on politicians:

1. Any politician building talking about 'family' or 'family values' is a lying bastard. It is (virtually) impossible to be a successful politician AND have a decent family life. They're never home, they probably barely know their kids and they're probably cheating on their wife/husband.

2. EVERY (national) politician is a power hungry bastard willing to sell his soul for a few votes. there's an old saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions", many politicians start out wanting to do good, few end up actually doing good, they all make sacrifices in their morality because they believe they're the only one who is fit to lead. Or they're just in it for the money, either way, don't trust anyone building his career on a moral platform, they're lying.

3. Politicians are more often than not opportunists who'll happily quote religious text if it gets them some votes, don't trust anyone with a religious platform.

4. Politicians are by definition rich kids (I don't even think there's a single true self made (wo)man in congress), those who claim to be concerned about the poor, ask yourself why they aren't working for charity or at least giving their money to it. Don't trust them.

5. Parties are loosely defined entities (in the US) where candidates have little to with eachother, do yourself a favour, vote for the person not the party. It's a privilege you have over the rest of the democratic world, use it.

6. No one is going to ban abortion, no one is going to take away your guns. Only makes this an issue if the candidate makes it one.

7. Never forget it's congress who actually makes the laws, not the administration (though they influence it a lot). Learn to understand your political system and what you are actually voting for.

8. It's not a race, it's not a game, it's politics. Look past the media charade place. Supporting a political party or a candidate should not be so similar to rooting for a sports team.

9. Please look at what a politician has done and what he promises to do, the first is a much better indicator of his future actions.

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Originally Posted by doc_bean

9. Please look at what a politician has done and what he promises to do, the first is a much better indicator of his future actions.

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Very true, politicians often claim goals that run counter to their previous record. One should always look at how the candidate has performed in the past versus what he is promising. If its a radical change be very werry of that politican unless he is very forthcoming about the change in position.

And even then find out who is backing him as a candidate.

The flock of choices so far seems pretty poor, but if the election were held tomorrow I'd vote for Ron Paul.

My My a young Libertarian. Theres still hope :laugh4:

I was considering Ron Paul myself. His foreign policy debate on FOX totally mimicks my arguments. Too bad he was pretty much shouted down.

I think he's going to be the choice of a lot of young people who are disgusted by the current flock of puppets on both sides of the political aisle. It would be a compelte coup if he won. It will never happen though.

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Originally Posted by Zaknafien

I think he's going to be the choice of a lot of young people who are disgusted by the current flock of puppets on both sides of the political aisle. It would be a compelte coup if he won. It will never happen though.

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They said the same thing about a Georgia Governor, who then became president.

If the people are truely disgusted with the current flock of politians - strange things have been known to happen.

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Originally Posted by Derfasciti

However, I don't think the debates are just enough and so I'm looking for some websites that are simple and concise detailing the candidate's political views on Illegal Immigration, abortion, foreign policy,

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OnTheIssues.org is a decent place to start.

10. Don't vote for the guy 'who at least has a chance' , vote for the guy who you think will best represent you. Hundreds of crappy politicians have gotten into office because they made the people belief the other guy wouldn't win, and voting for him would be a waste of time. Related to this: don't vote based on polls.

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Originally Posted by Derfasciti

Hey there guys, I've just turned 18 and I've always been interested in politics and I have some strong opinions. However, I don't think the debates are just enough and so I'm looking for some websites that are simple and concise detailing the candidate's political views on Illegal Immigration, abortion, foreign policy,

I'm definitely more interested in the Republicans but I'd like to see the democrats too.

Any links or basic help from what you know of the candidates would be greatly appreciated.


As a side question: Can regular voters vote for the candidate they want to nominate? How does that work?

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My father was a long time local politician, believe it or not I hold a appointed political office as well. Whats my point? Start local with your politics thats where you find the values of the parties impact you and those around you more directly.

Have you been to a town meeting? the business of politics on a presidential scale is somewhat macro in its application of theories. take immigration, sure there are lots of swell idea's but what about at the town level where the landlord makes his income from immigrants, or the hospital that cares for them without pay?

Start local and get involved and from there you will develop plenty of opinions based on practical, applicable expirence.

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Originally Posted by Derfasciti

Any links or basic help from what you know of the candidates would be greatly appreciated.

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You can find out all about the important stuff here. :yes: :sweatdrop:

Oh well no more worshipping Odin :laugh4:

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Originally Posted by Gawain of Orkeny

Oh well no more worshipping Odin :laugh4:

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Yes, believe it or not a mass resident obtained a political appointment. I know in NY you have never heard of such a concept but here in the backwater its how we keep the good folks in thier place. :egypt:

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Originally Posted by doc_bean

6. No one is going to ban abortion, no one is going to take away your guns. Only makes this an issue if the candidate makes it one.

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doc_bean's entire list was really good, but this one actually caused me to snort my morning coffee up my nose. Not on purpose, mind you. Very true, very funny, very good stuff.