Monday, October 16, 2006

Shaping an "American Agenda" by asking the right questions

It their recent update, it is nice to hear that Unity '08 has actually been hard at work tackling the tough issues, especially the challenge of articulating a coherent agenda:

Taking into account the very helpful suggestions and debate that you have conducted here on the web site, we have designed an innovative and powerful way to approach the issues. We call it the American Agenda. By polling, the delegates and public will determine the crucial issues confronting the country. We will present on the website a panoply of expert opinions on each crucial issue, spanning the full spectrum of responsible solutions. Through discussion, debate and polling, the delegates will settle on the questions that the candidates should answer relating to each issue. Unity08’s American Agenda will be the questions; the candidate’s answers will represent his/her American Agenda and platform. We think it takes the silly party platform process of the two parties and stands it on its head. We would be surprised if the media doesn’t take the Unity08 American Agenda of questions and present them forcefully to all candidates, regardless of party.


I commend them for taking responsibility to ask the right questions, rather than trying to force an artificial consensus about the answers. Polling isn't a perfect solution, but (if they frame it well) is probably the optimal one, so I wish them luck.

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