Will you be casting your vote based mostly on the person, or the Party?

Recently I received an email asking a simple and straightforward question on this topic. In formulating an answer, my brain quickly became entangled in complicated thoughts and counter-thoughts.

My friend asked:

“I live in State House District ##, where John Doe Democrat is running against Mary Doe Republican.

“I reviewed their respective responses to questions published on their websites and in various public forums. I found John Doe Democrat’s responses were weak and thin. By comparison Mary Doe Republican’s words were much more thoughtful.

“However, Mary Doe is a conservative and a Christian whose faith has a strong bearing on her life and politics. She makes that clearly known.

“John Doe Democrat is running for reelection but seems very inexperienced and lacking a vision of his preferred future for Hawaiʻi. But he’s a Democrat and will likely be consistent in supporting the party line.

“On the other hand, Mary Doe Republican, at 65, is retired, a former owner of a company, and a long-time community association leader. She has a more defined vision of a preferred future for Hawaiʻi. But she’s a Republican.

“How would you advise people to vote in this instance? Should I vote along Party lines or cross the line and vote for the person instead of the Party?”

Seemed like a pretty basic question and my initial thought was to suggest that regardless of Party affiliation, the vote should go to the person who seemed more competent, and who held a more compelling vision of the future.

Then I remembered a past conversation with my daughter.

“Dad”, she said, “There are some things like bigotry and a woman’s right to choose, where it’s not possible to agree to disagree.”

My daughter of course nailed it and she’s absolutely correct (as is normally the case).

Consequently my response to my friends email asking whether he should vote for Mary Doe Republican, the seemingly more competent candidate with a compelling vision – was a series of follow-up questions each with a non-negotiable answer.

Does she believe in a woman’s right to choose?
Does she believe global warming is a real threat to our planet?
Does she view the LGBTQ community as equals?
Does she believe public schools should require the Bible to be taught as the word of God?
What about books? Does she want to dictate the books my family may or may not read?
Does she believe every worker is entitled to a living wage?Does she support universal healthcare?
Does she believe that we’re all in this together and everyone must be treated equally under the law?Does Mary Doe Republican support Trump?

Of course there are other litmus test questions, and it’s possible perhaps even likely, that John Doe Democrat does not answer them all correctly either.

But you get the point, and the questions must be asked.

Political party’s are formed around values, issues related to those values, and the individuals/candidates who champion those values.

Candidates for State and Federal office are presumed to have joined the political party that aligns best with their own personal values and consequently pledge to support the platform of that Party.

I have close friends and relatives whom I love dearly, but who would fail miserably the test and questions listed above, and I would certainly never ever vote for them (and yes, we mostly avoid talking politics).

There are some things that are nonnegotiable.

Just because someone cares deeply about the community, is honest, has a solid track record as a volunteer, and goes to church every Sunday – doesn’t mean you want them in charge of making the rules we all must live by.

All candidates are imperfect.

We must do our best as voters to ask the right questions, then make the best choice possible, choosing the candidate that best reflects our core values.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
Former Hawaiʻi State Senator, County Councilmember and many other things…including former Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi –