GlassBooth

The team will be on Shaun Daily’s BTRToday Show tonite at 7 p.m. EST to discuss Glassbooth.org and the 2008 Election.

UPDATE: Listen to the archive here (at about 63:00)

My grandma forwarded me an editorial in the New York Times by David Brooks that outlines all the irrational ways we decide who we are going to vote for.

Writes Brooks:

People in my line of work try to answer certain questions. Why did Hillary surge after misting up in New Hampshire? Why have primary victories produced no momentum for the victors? Why did John McCain win among Republicans who oppose the Iraq war in both New Hampshire and Michigan, but lose among voters who support it?

The truth is that many of the theories we come up with are bogus. They are based on the assumption that voters make cold, rational decisions about who to vote for and can tell us why they decided as they did. This is false.

In reality, we voters — all of us — make emotional, intuitive decisions about who we prefer, and then come up with post-hoc rationalizations to explain the choices that were already made beneath conscious awareness.

Brooks and others go on to posit that hairstyles and smiles speak more to our subconscious which makes our political decision, while we use our reason to rationalize this choice. Certainly advertisers and political consultants live on the edge of this thinking, and exploit our intuition to further their candidate or product. We believe there is only one way to combat this “assault on reason” (to borrow a term from Al Gore) and that is education. Know your candidates and you can never be exploited.

Check out Glassbooth on Current TV.

Glassbooth is now available as an interactive TV tool for DISH Network subscribers. Use your remote control for something useful.

“Always vote for principle. Though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” — John Quincy Adams

Glassbooth has teamed up with The League of Young Voters on the release of their new Facebook application.

The application is rather cool. Tell the app which issues you care about, what candidate you support, and why. It will then process a virtual badge to wear on your profile, letting your friends know where you stand politically.

Some Wired love for Glassbooth.

What, you might say, are the primaries all about? Why are they all people seem to be talking about? What is a caucus? And what is so super about Super Tuesday?

Well here at Glassbooth our crack team of researchers has put together some answers for you.

What is a primary?

A state election where citizens vote to determine which candidates for president (for each party) will be supported by that state at the national convention of each party.

What is a caucus?

Rather than going to polls, citizens get together in groups (at schools, churches, gymnasiums, etc) to elect local delegates. Local delegates then later caucus together to elect national delegates. Depending on what caucus they are at, voters can cast a secret ballot, stand in their respective corner, or raise their hand to indicate who they want to represent them at the county – and in turn, national – convention of that party.

Why are the caucuses and primaries so important?

Simply put, the winners get their party’s nomination to run for president. That being said, a few primaries and caucuses receive more attention than others. The Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire primary, and South Carolina primary have been the constant focus of reporters for months now, mostly due to the early date that they occur.

What is “Super Tuesday”?

“Super Tuesday” is a Tuesday early each year (this year it is Feb. 5th), when numerous states simultaneously hold their primaries. This year, there are 24 states involved in Super Tuesday. With so many states determining whom their delegates will support on Super Tuesday, it is critical for any politician with aspirations of getting their party’s nomination for president to do very well on this day.

Are there any fun facts about the primaries that will make my friends believe I am very knowledgeable, and will serve as good holiday party fodder?

Yes, yes there are.

1. In 1972, Iowa became the earliest primary/caucus when it moved its date to January 3rd each year (that is TODAY!!). The previous “early primary champion” was New Hampshire, which occurs on January 8th each year.

2. Since 1980, every winner of the South Carolina Republican primary has won the party’s nomination.

3. This year there are 24 states involved in Super Tuesday, a new record. The previous record was 16 states, which occurred on March 7, 2000.

4. With only two exceptions (Pat Buchanan & John McCain), win the New Hampshire primary and you’re going to get the Republican nomination. At least this has been the case since 1968.

Should I vote in my state’s primary? Does it even matter?

Yes, yes, and yes again. The primary season is when voters are given the most options to choose from in determining whom they will vote for – we think of it as the candidate buffet (and who doesn’t love a buffet). The environment is your issue? Vote for the candidate who is strongest on it. Gun Control? Same thing. No matter the “what” or “why” of who you want to get your party’s nomination, the primaries represent your chance to determine who that person is. So head to your school, library, church or wherever you vote in your state and cast your ballot. Never will your one vote mean so much again (at least not until 2012).

Check out this site to see when your state’s primary is!