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A word to the candidates - values matter, but not the way you think!
By Lauren | January 17, 2008
The Presidential nomination process is in full swing, with candidates scurrying all over the country to persuade voters that they have what it takes to lead the country in the coming years. A recent poll issued by Harris Interactive contained some surprises that the candidates might be smart to keep in mind.
The poll revealed that 85% of the public considers moral values to be “important” or “very important” when choosing a candidate. Surprisingly, though, when questioned about what they meant by “moral values,” the vast majority of people who said moral values were very important to them didn’t focus on issues that political commentators and journalists typically mean when they use that phrase, such as abortion, stem cell research, or same-sex marriage. Rather, they focused on traits of character: integrity, honesty, ethical values, and doing the right thing.
What may be even more interesting is that these same people did not appear to expect the candidates to be perfect. Only 2% of those who said that moral values were very important to them suggested that candidates should have no past scandals or conflicts of interest. That may mean that candidates’ past marital problems or youthful indiscretions are far less important to voters than political pundits suggest.
So, what does this mean for the candidates? Commentators will undoubtedly differ, but I think the message of this survey is that most people are looking for a candidate they can trust. Not a stained-glass saint or someone who agrees with them on every single social issue, but a well-intended (if occasionally fallible) human being who can be relied upon to tell the truth, act ethically, and try their best to do the right thing when faced with tough choices. So, aspiring Presidents, take heed! The candidate who best succeeds in winning the voters’ trust may well be the one who wins the White House.
Topics: Personal Ethics |