This year there are myriad political issues that seem to be stirring people’s motivations, and the differences between the two candidates and the political parties on many of them in many cases is striking.  We are looking to understand whether your chosen candidate, or perhaps both candidates if you are undecided, is focusing enough on your issue in your opinion.

We encourage you to share your feelings about which candidate you prefer and/or what your issue is, and of course why you feel that issue is most important in the comments section if you’d like.

Super PACS have already made their presence felt in the primary season on the republican side, likely influencing the voters in several primary states.  Some would say that Super PACs are certainly legal and seem to fit with our ideal of free speech in campaigns and that disclosure should help reduce later corruption.  Others would counter that Super PACs give more weight to the speech and influence of the wealthy and corporations, and that they could breed later corruption despite disclosure.

More detailed arguments for and against Super PACs have been made elsewhere, and if you live in a state where the republican primary was close you likely saw their influence close up.  This poll is about grading the role of Super PACs so far in our election process.

This year is unique in that the Republican primary field has been fluid, with the frontrunner status changing several times, and the voters seemingly having difficulty landing on a candidate.  This dynamic could have two effects of the debates – it could make it all the more important for the candidates to make their positions, and therefore differences from each other, crystal clear.  It could also open the door for the kind of problematic attention seeking that is mentioned above as they try to win both the debate and the resulting media coverage.

We are curious about your impression of the primary debates.  A grade of “A” indicates a strong lean toward the idea that the debates have been a healthy and open back and forth about issue positions, while an “F” would show that you think they have been badly tarnished by exaggeration and distortion.

Interestingly, the opinions about the presidential field for the election are split between those who wish that the primary voters had coalesced around one current candidate, and those who feel that there is no candidate currently in the field who should be nominated.  Here is your chance to express your opinion about the republican field during this primary election season.

(Please focus on the viability of the field and do not use this poll to express your view about the Republican party as a whole, whether positive or negative.  Thanks.)

On the side of the decision were those who believed that the rules of free speech suggested that corporations and unions had the rights to express opinions freely, but those against the decision were those who believed that this might actually give corporations and unions an unfair advantage over the individual voter whose opinion might now be drowned out because these organizations had much more to spend.  Also, those for argued that the media, which in effect is made up of corporations, was already allowed to voice its political opinions, while those against voiced concern that this could open up a flood of special interest money into our political system.

Please use the poll below to grade this decision by the Supreme Court:

What grade would you give Michelle Bachmann’s campaign so far, and once again we encourage you to explain your grade in the comments section below.

The president seemed to be looking for a grand plan that would involve both parties budging from their stances above, though republicans are skeptical that he will cut enough spending.

From what you know and have heard, grade the president on his stance during the debt ceiling negotiations: 

Given that the GOP is in control of the House where the action currently is, please grade their stance in this debate.

A new kind of political poll: Grade the politicians and political parties

Here you have a chance to grade our leaders as they go through their campaigns for election and re-election.  Our political polls allow you to grade the current stances, behavior, and attitudes of the major parties and candidates, and you also have a chance to add any comments you’d like to add to explain your grading.  The overall goal of Campaign Report Cards is to augment the more traditional political and campaign polling that is done each election season with a more interactive and comprehensive information gathering system. 

We will keep our campaign report cards topical, covering current political events in a way that allows you to share your political views on current events, social issues, economic news, etc as it relates to how it is being used in the political campaigns.  Our only rule is that you keep your comments respectful of others who choose to post, even if their opinions differ.  Debate and discussion are welcome, but we want everyone to feel comfortable participating. 

Please feel free to use our “suggest a report card” page if you have an idea for a campaign report card that you think we should publish.  We welcome your input and ideas, and thank you in advance for participating in our political polls here at Campaign Report Cards!