Washington Watch Articles From 2020
This Election is About One Thing
The single most important issue in this year’s election will be how voters feel about Donald Trump. A recent Pew poll showed that 51% of Trump voters said the major factors determining their vote were Trump’s personality, values, and leadership style, while 56% of Biden voters said that what was motivating them was “voting against Trump.” This election will be about Donald Trump.
Absent, But Needed: A Palestinian Vision
This week, the news that all the Palestinian factions were meeting might have been a hopeful sign, since Zogby Research Service (ZRS) polling shows that what Palestinians most want from their leaders are unity and a strategy that will move them toward realization of their rights. It was, therefore, somewhat disappointing to read reports of the speeches delivered at the gathering, since they appeared to be long on denunciation and short on strategy or vision.
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Because we should care about what people are thinking about critical issues, polling is important. It opens a window so we can hear the voices of public opinion and make intelligent policy decisions. Sometimes, poll results affirm what we believe to be true and we feel gratified. On other occasions, the findings run counter to our expectations and we face a dilemma.
Democrats Need “Two Wings” to Fly
There was a time when political party conventions were exercises in democracy. Being a delegate meant something because there were issues to be decided, there were meaningful votes to be taken, and there was excitement and suspense to the proceedings.