How about a story on how much money TYLER spent on the URE case when he told the League of Women Voters it was $2000 and it was rumored to be more like $300,000 of taxpayer dollars! WE WANT THE TRUTH!
WHY do so few people here vote. 37?% of REGISTERED voters. not voting age people, but REGISTERED voters. Nationwide 37% is a normal turnout of voting age people, not registered voters.
Gabe...I think you should do a story on how a candidate, in a hotly contested county-wide race, can win the election without buying a single political ad in your newspaper.
Great data Gabe...~65 % of GOP voted straight party and 33% of Dems voted straight party but I was surprised only 67 Libertarians actually voted....We have 36 people that voted for the green party?... Surprising!
What impact did campaign ads & mailers containing false statements have on election results?
For instance, did Don Pozzi's campaign mailers falsely portraying himself as fiscally conservative draw in voters who may have voted against him if they knew the truth? (www.tinyurl.com/Pozzi-Rhetoric)
Why was Steve Tyler taken to task so vigorously (rightfully) for inaccuracies in his campaign ads while Pozzi's misrepresentations were left untouched?
For example, he claimed: • "Your local county government, unlike Washington DC, has been able to cut the budget, AVOID TAX INCREASES and LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS." • "Judge Pozzi has continued to hold the county tax rate at the same level it has been for about eight years BY CUTTING SPENDING and waste."
Outright lies: • "AVOID TAX INCREASES": County tax levies have increased 44% during Pozzi's judgeship • "BY CUTTING SPENDING": spending has increased 32% while the tax rate has been flat
The Advocate can't plead ignorance to these false claims since they've been complicit in disseminating this misinformation via their widely-circulated printed editions. http://i54.tinypic.com/2aero7p.jpg
Does the Advocate have a responsibility to verify this info before printing it?
Gabe...Please let it go. We've been bombarded with campaigns for months now. At long last, the election is over. Just keep a journalistic eye on the ones who were elected to let them know they can't get away with anything but please, no follow up stories.
Sugar: You're jumping to conclusions. I have the data that shows how many people voted a straight-party ticket. The elections office provides that public data. The data does not name people; it simply shows how many people voted a straight Republican Party ticket, and how many people voted a straight Democratic ticket. So, when I wrote: We'd like to examine how many people voted a straight-party ticket, I don't believe I in any way suggested we aim to break confidentiality of voters. I won't delete your comment, but please stick to the topic: What election follow-up stories do you want us to pursue? Thanks -- Gabe
Two years ago I was surprised to find out that straight line party voting was only allowed in 17 states. The Houston chronicle ran the story... I was equally surprised with the results.
I don't say this to be rude, and I certainly don't want to be deleted here, but I think that having anonymous polls asking people how they intend to vote, or voted, is one thing; but asking people on a forum or in person HOW they voted, or if they voted a straight-party ticket, is another.
In fact, I will come out and say it: I believe this is unethical behavior for a newspaper. I do understand curiosity and trying to get a community dialogue going. However, some things are private and personal and good men and women have died to ensure the right of citizens to vote in a CONFIDENTIAL manner.
I can understand pursuing questions about results. But to ask the public how they voted is a bad idea at the very least.
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I also wish someone would honestly analyze the election results of Branch, Obama, and Wyatt.
November 4, 2010 at 3:18 a.m.I like to vote for each individual office. BUT,if there is no Democrat running I cast no vote!lol
November 3, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.Patrick Barnes
did repubs voting straight ticket go back and change their county judge vote ?
just goes to show you, slap a R besides your name in Texas and you're almost assured of winning. Texas Repubs make great blind sheep.
November 3, 2010 at 5:41 p.m.How about a story on how much money TYLER spent on the URE case when he told the League of Women Voters it was $2000 and it was rumored to be more like $300,000 of taxpayer dollars! WE WANT THE TRUTH!
November 3, 2010 at 4:01 p.m.Great questions, everyone.
November 3, 2010 at 3:42 p.m.Mike,
November 3, 2010 at 3:24 p.m.actually the 65 % and 33 % are what percentage of people who voted straight party tickets were made up of those respective groups
WHY do so few people here vote.
November 3, 2010 at 3:12 p.m.37?% of REGISTERED voters. not voting age people, but REGISTERED voters.
Nationwide 37% is a normal turnout of voting age people, not registered voters.
Gabe...I think you should do a story on how a candidate, in a hotly contested county-wide race, can win the election without buying a single political ad in your newspaper.
November 3, 2010 at 3:11 p.m.Great data Gabe...~65 % of GOP voted straight party and 33% of Dems voted straight party but I was surprised only 67 Libertarians actually voted....We have 36 people that voted for the green party?... Surprising!
November 3, 2010 at 3:01 p.m.What impact did campaign ads & mailers containing false statements have on election results?
For instance, did Don Pozzi's campaign mailers falsely portraying himself as fiscally conservative draw in voters who may have voted against him if they knew the truth? (www.tinyurl.com/Pozzi-Rhetoric)
Why was Steve Tyler taken to task so vigorously (rightfully) for inaccuracies in his campaign ads while Pozzi's misrepresentations were left untouched?
For example, he claimed:
• "Your local county government, unlike Washington DC, has been able to cut the budget, AVOID TAX INCREASES and LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS."
• "Judge Pozzi has continued to hold the county tax rate at the same level it has been for about eight years BY CUTTING SPENDING and waste."
Outright lies:
• "AVOID TAX INCREASES": County tax levies have increased 44% during Pozzi's judgeship
• "BY CUTTING SPENDING": spending has increased 32% while the tax rate has been flat
The Advocate can't plead ignorance to these false claims since they've been complicit in disseminating this misinformation via their widely-circulated printed editions.
http://i54.tinypic.com/2aero7p.jpg
Does the Advocate have a responsibility to verify this info before printing it?
November 3, 2010 at 12:11 p.m.Appreciate the input, wayward.
November 3, 2010 at 11:57 a.m.Gabe...Please let it go. We've been bombarded with campaigns for months now. At long last, the election is over. Just keep a journalistic eye on the ones who were elected to let them know they can't get away with anything but please, no follow up stories.
November 3, 2010 at 11:56 a.m.Mike: Great link. Thanks for sharing it -- Gabe
November 3, 2010 at 11:35 a.m.Sugar: You're jumping to conclusions. I have the data that shows how many people voted a straight-party ticket. The elections office provides that public data. The data does not name people; it simply shows how many people voted a straight Republican Party ticket, and how many people voted a straight Democratic ticket. So, when I wrote: We'd like to examine how many people voted a straight-party ticket, I don't believe I in any way suggested we aim to break confidentiality of voters. I won't delete your comment, but please stick to the topic: What election follow-up stories do you want us to pursue? Thanks -- Gabe
November 3, 2010 at 11:34 a.m.Two years ago I was surprised to find out that straight line party voting was only allowed in 17 states. The Houston chronicle ran the story... I was equally surprised with the results.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/m...
November 3, 2010 at 11:25 a.m.I don't say this to be rude, and I certainly don't want to be deleted here, but I think that having anonymous polls asking people how they intend to vote, or voted, is one thing; but asking people on a forum or in person HOW they voted, or if they voted a straight-party ticket, is another.
In fact, I will come out and say it: I believe this is unethical behavior for a newspaper. I do understand curiosity and trying to get a community dialogue going. However, some things are private and personal and good men and women have died to ensure the right of citizens to vote in a CONFIDENTIAL manner.
I can understand pursuing questions about results. But to ask the public how they voted is a bad idea at the very least.
November 3, 2010 at 11:18 a.m.