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A Way To Help Voters Vote Smart

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

We hear it every election season: Candidates for political office seldom give straight answers. Instead, much of what we learn about them comes from political advertisements developed by their opponents and special-interest groups.

Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, made a big deal of his "Straight Talk Express" eight years ago, but this year Democrats are challenging his allegiance to it, saying he prefers the campaign to be about personality rather than the issues.

Most of us know a little bit about the major parties' nominees, and this year we've heard a lot about a certain governor from Alaska.

But what do we know about how the candidates would address social issues? How exactly will they deal with the economy? How will they lead?

And what do we really know about our local candidates running for Congress or state office? How will they vote on the issues we care about? That's why it's important in every election cycle for voters to know incumbents' records and whether they have kept their promises. They need to be aware of a challenger's public statements and positions. .

Which is why it's useful to know about Project Vote Smart, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that offers in-depth information about the candidates if they choose to participate.

The organization challenges the candidates to take what it calls the National Courage Test. Will the candidates have the courage to tell us what they think about abortion, guns, budget and spending policy, health care and other key issues?

More often than not, candidates don't, because they are advised it doesn't help their cause. .

In 2006 only 17 percent of those running for Congress or state office in Florida participated - a truly dismal number.

We hear a lot from the parties about the need to educate voters, so voters this year should pay attention to who refuse to take the test. So far, McCain and Sen. Barrack Obama have not taken it.

Neither have our congressional or state candidates, but they have until Oct. 15.

It is fair to assume that a candidate who dodges the issues is one who doesn't want you to vote smart.

Check out who participates at www.vote-smart.org or call 1-888-868-3762.

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