Is it about a candidate's biography or their policy positions?

[Yavin4]

A candidate can have a great, inspiring biography. Be a role model. Someone that everyone can look up to. However, it's policy that ultimately counts. Policy is what gives down ballot candidates something tangible to take into their state and federal elections in both a presidential year and the mid-terms. It's really hard running for a congressional seat in MO with just the bio of the president.

We have very good people running. No one disputes that. Our primary should be contest of who has the best policy, not who has the best bio.

[elleng]

1. Its a combination.

[Yavin4]

2. But shouldn't that combination be tilted towards policy?

All of our candidates have a great bio.

[elleng]

3. No tilt, BOTH, plus performance/public presentation.

[Uncle Joe]

5. I believe policy to be ultimately what it's all about but biography fills in

critical gaps in regards to perceptions of credibility and authenticity.

[mia]

4. The delivery of policy positions

trumps a candidates' biography

[abqtommy]

6. I suspect that the tension over the primaries and beyond is all

due to the big money involved in campaigning and buying airtime. There has to be a better way
but the media and their corporate owners wouldn't change it at all. Color me cynical but I'll vote for the Democratic candidate no matter what!

[marylandblue]

7. In the current moment, communication ability and coalition building are everything.

We are saturated with media and Trump manipulates the media like nobody else ever has. On the policy side, most of the candidates are not that far apart from each other. So it's really more about who can break through the noise machine and reach the most voters, whether they are moderates, disaffected Republicans or new voters.

[BlueFlorida]

8. A person of good character and inspiring biography

can recruit talent to come up with great policy.

If the fundamental character is tainted, they will hire flawed people and hurt people. (Case in point, Trump.)

A character, biography and campaign leadership are far more important than policy positions.

[patricia92243]

9. Yes!