Connections to candidates

[Zioneer]

I don't really feel a connection to presidential candidates; the ones I support are usually my favorites based on a mix and match of their ideology and public "style".

Local candidates that I support are rare enough, but I usually support them based on how much good they've done/that I think they will do, their ability to win, and their style. If I'm not satisfied by the first and last criteria, no amount of the second (electability) can overcome that. So I vehemently hate Jim Matheson, because I don't think he's done any good (besides acting as a buffer to keep the Utah GOP from controlling the entire Congressional delegation, and that's not good enough), and I hate his "independent" (meaning that he rolls over and parrots the GOP) style.

On the other hand, I'm an almost fanatical supporter of newly-elected Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, as I like his "Boy Scout with a sense of humor" public style, as well as his work in the state legislature on anti-discrimination policies and stronger measures against credit card fraud.

I also greatly support candidates whom I have personally met. I met most of the 2012 candidates at the Utah Democratic Convention, and all seemed to be decent, honest folks, which let me gladly support all of them. Well, except for Matheson of course. He seemed... slimy and distracted.