(no subject)

[oportet.livejournal.com]

Do endorsements work?

I assume they do - to an extent - but why? How? Is it something that can be explained, or is it some kind of subliminal manipulation - like advertising?

Have you ever liked a specific candidate - and then found out a senator from some other state endorsed someone else, and it changed who you would support?

Have you ever been undecided - but found an instant fondness and dedication to a candidate because a popular actor/singer came out in favor of them?

Personally, I don't give a shit, and couldn't imagine giving a shit - who my governor, or your governor, or any governor liked.

Maybe if my grandfather, or brother, or a significant number of you (I mean it - not just kissing ass to make up for a poorly thought out rambling of a post) went all out for someone - I'd look into them a little more - but it seems a little narcissistic for anyone to think their support of any candidate is influential enough to be worthy of national news - even if it is true.

Comments

[nairiporter.livejournal.com]

Frankly, the whole endorsement thing reminds me of a reality show, or popularity contest or something like that. It also smells somewhat badly of oligarchic maneuvers designed to rig elections. It could be just me, of course. But somehow I find the whole idea a bit perverse. Can't the people just choose whoever they want, without various power-brokers constantly distorting the process?

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

I understand why they work. People, generally, don't work out their political opinions from first principles and then apply those principles to a specific candidate in a systematic way. They adopt their opinions from people they like and trust, like parents, teachers, friends, pastors, etc. Then they take this cribbed version and apply those criteria to the politician in question, or they further by looking at an opinion maker who a trusted person trusts and making a leap that way. So, I like my mom --> my mom likes Rachel Maddow --> Rachel Maddow hates Ted Cruz -->therefore I hate Ted Cruz, too. Why? Reasons.

But, trusting someone you have found trustworthy or agreed with in the past is not, on its face, illogical. Assuming you are putting your trust in a trustworthy or knowledgeable person, of course.

It works both ways though. I liked and supported my governor, Chris Christie. I wasn't supporting him for president, but I thought he was a decent, smart, blunt speaking guy who got things done in Trenton and was a credit to the party. I thought this right up until he, in a craven act of political pandering that will echo through history to his shame, endorsed Donald Trump. At that point not only did my dislike of Trump increase, any affection I had for Christie evaporated in the wind.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Where are the guarantees that someone that you've given your trust, wouldn't decide to misuse it at some point, now that they've taken you and your trust for granted?

Just because I've found myself agreeing with someone a few times in the past, does that mean I'm to be assumed to automatically agree with them on anything from now on?

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

I don't think you can assume anything. Most of my own opinions start with first principles.

But putting trust in a trustworthy person is a useful tool for a human being. Is it possible you might be deceived? On some level, sure. But that doesn't mean you have to walk around with everyone automatically under suspicion. What are the odds that my mom would ever misuse the trust I've put in her? Pretty darn low. I don't think my wife would, either. I can hardly imagine a few of my long standing friends suddenly betraying my confidence in them, as well. I mean, we are talking about years of trustworthy acts that have been reciprocated. Longstanding, empirical evidence.

After that? Buyer beware.

[garote]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cyrs9_star-trek-the-next-generation-season-4-episode-06-legacy_tv?start=2480 .