Welcome to the 2008 elections! This new generation doesn’t vote their conscience. This generation doesn’t weigh the facts, then vote with intelligence. Hell, we don’t even vote what we’re feeling in our guts or hearts. What do we do? We vote for the “cool guy” that gives us concert tickets… just ask Jason Schechtman:
It was an unexpected showdown of surrogates for Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton here Wednesday, and it sure looked like Obama’s representative whipped up the most excitement.
As former President Bill Clinton was extolling his wife’s credentials, Obama’s campaign office in Bloomington began giving away tickets to Sunday’s Dave Matthews concert at Assembly Hall.
Jason Schechtman, 19, Deerfield, Ill., a student at IU, got his tickets about 8 p.m. after waiting more than three hours. He met folks in line who said they’d left the Clinton rally to wait for tickets.
“I was leaning toward Obama, but this sealed the deal for sure,” he said. “The Obama campaign announced this right as (Bill Clinton) was about to speak, and it brought everyone from over there to over here.”
Still, Clinton persevered. He told Indiana University students they should choose his wife for president not because she’s a historic candidate but because the country’s future is better off in her hands.
That’s right, giving away free tickets sealed the deal for his vote. Why should that even matter? I’m trying to work this out in my head. So he was leaning towards Obama, but not committed… so he had doubts. Now he has concert tickets… and the doubts are all gone? Does this make sense to anyone or has the world gone crazy?!
Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not upset he’s voting for Obama, but I’m upset at the reason. I’d be equally upset if someone said the reason they were voting for Clinton because she’s putting on an Elton John show. Votes Matter. They do. Choosing the leader of your country should really be given more thought than just who gives you the most stuff. It’s horribly irritating!
EDIT - Publia at Wilmette brings up a good point about this:
Of couse, there’s a bit of a problem here–Obama’s campaign might be viewed by some as inducing a person to vote for a candidate by giving them the ticket, a Class D Felony. But who will complain? The people accepting the free tickets, might be commiting a felony themselves.
IC 3-14-3-19
Inducing votes by gift or offer to compensate
Sec. 19. A person who, for the purpose of inducing or procuring another person to:
(1) apply for or cast an absentee ballot; or
(2) vote or refrain from voting for or against a candidate or for or against a public question at an election or political convention; gives, offers, or promises to any person any money or other property commits a Class D felony.IC 3-14-3-20
Acceptance or solicitation of compensation to induce or procure votes
Sec. 20. A person who, for the purpose of inducing or procuring
a voter to:
(1) apply for or cast an absentee ballot; or
(2) vote or refrain from voting for or against a candidate or for or against a public question at an election or political convention; receives, accepts, requests, or solicits from any person any money or other property commits a Class D felony.
Interesting… I wonder if anyone will call them on it?
Publia Padena : 03 April 2008 at 5:02 pm
Laws matter, too. isn’t anyone concerned about the Indiana law that makes both giving something of value and receiving something for value to influence a vote a felony? Then again, Mr. Obama is long used to dealing with felons . . .
Jason : 03 April 2008 at 5:13 pm
I think he skirts around that because they were “free” tickets to a “free” show, but it depends how the law was written. In my mind, it shouldn’t matter if it was a $0.00 item or a $1000.00 item, but then again, I don’t write the laws (although I’m beginning to want to!).