Comments on: Where are the Door-Knocking Politicians? http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/ A Street Level View of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:21:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Adam Snider http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1183 Adam Snider Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:44:42 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1183 That’s a fair argument, Aaron, and while I definitely understand the logic of it, I guess my irrational human nature doesn’t want to accept it. Regardless, it’s too late now. Today…we must vote. That’s a fair argument, Aaron, and while I definitely understand the logic of it, I guess my irrational human nature doesn’t want to accept it. Regardless, it’s too late now. Today…we must vote.

]]> By: aaron http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1181 aaron Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:43:39 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1181 I wasn't just saying don't use it as a major factor, I was saying ignore it entirely. As evidence goes door knocking (particularly done by a volunteer) contains so much noise that it's probably on par with their choice of clothing as to evidence of their ability. That doesn't mean it's completely useless as a metric, but human bias places way too much weight on personal contact already so you'd almost want to negatively weigh any candidate who knocked on your door just so you can get back to making a properly weighted decision. I wasn’t just saying don’t use it as a major factor, I was saying ignore it entirely. As evidence goes door knocking (particularly done by a volunteer) contains so much noise that it’s probably on par with their choice of clothing as to evidence of their ability.

That doesn’t mean it’s completely useless as a metric, but human bias places way too much weight on personal contact already so you’d almost want to negatively weigh any candidate who knocked on your door just so you can get back to making a properly weighted decision.

]]> By: Adam Snider http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1180 Adam Snider Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:49:02 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1180 You make a good point, Aaron. And, I would never vote JUST based on whether or not someone knocked on my door. It's just one factor that I add in to a lot of other factors (things like what party the candidate represents, what his or her party's stances on the issues that matter to me are, what stance the candidate him- or herself takes on those issues, etc.). But, you're right. On it's own, door-knocking is not a particularly good way of determining who to vote for. You make a good point, Aaron. And, I would never vote JUST based on whether or not someone knocked on my door. It’s just one factor that I add in to a lot of other factors (things like what party the candidate represents, what his or her party’s stances on the issues that matter to me are, what stance the candidate him- or herself takes on those issues, etc.).

But, you’re right. On it’s own, door-knocking is not a particularly good way of determining who to vote for.

]]> By: aaron http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1178 aaron Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:12:19 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1178 From a statistical perspective I don't think that door knocking is very effective evidence as to the quality of the candidate. Consider candidates A, and B, candidate A knocks on twice as many doors as B. If you get a knock you only have a 2/3 chance of getting the candidate who knocks on more doors. Moreover, if you consider the scenario where B knocks on half as many doors because they average twice as long at each door (probably the candidate you'd prefer as they're much more interested in talking to their constituents) you now have a 2/3 chance of getting a knock from the less interested candidate. Now if you factor volunteers into the equation (your scenario) you're no longer interacting with the candidate directly. The only real evidence you get is the fact that a certain candidate was able to attract more volunteers, when you further consider how weak a door knock is as evidence that a candidate's volunteers really are knocking on more doors it really doesn't count for anything. If you really are interested in evaluating the strength of a candidate's volunteer base as an evaluation of the candidate, you're probably better off counting lawn signs. From a statistical perspective I don’t think that door knocking is very effective evidence as to the quality of the candidate.

Consider candidates A, and B, candidate A knocks on twice as many doors as B. If you get a knock you only have a 2/3 chance of getting the candidate who knocks on more doors. Moreover, if you consider the scenario where B knocks on half as many doors because they average twice as long at each door (probably the candidate you’d prefer as they’re much more interested in talking to their constituents) you now have a 2/3 chance of getting a knock from the less interested candidate.

Now if you factor volunteers into the equation (your scenario) you’re no longer interacting with the candidate directly. The only real evidence you get is the fact that a certain candidate was able to attract more volunteers, when you further consider how weak a door knock is as evidence that a candidate’s volunteers really are knocking on more doors it really doesn’t count for anything. If you really are interested in evaluating the strength of a candidate’s volunteer base as an evaluation of the candidate, you’re probably better off counting lawn signs.

]]> By: natasha http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1173 natasha Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:50:36 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1173 I'd agree that door knocking isn't going to be part of my decision this year. I’d agree that door knocking isn’t going to be part of my decision this year.

]]> By: Chris http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1170 Chris Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:52:19 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1170 I have to say I tend to agree with your point about door-knocking being an important part of meeting prospective constituents and figuring out what their concerns are, Adam. It just makes me aggravated whenever my MP sends me mail with pictures of him flipping pancakes somewhere after years of sending him letters with no response, let alone a round of door-knocking around election time. There are sooo many ways to get to know your constituents, and I'm glad to hear Deron's team is doing some of them! (full disclosure: I've met him a few times in and outside of Edmonton and think he'd be a great MLA myself). Town halls are always iffy - I go to those things and the crowds they bring out tend to come from pretty narrow demographics and as a general rule don't get the kind of turnout I think any political representative needs to understand what the people in their riding want. I have to say I tend to agree with your point about door-knocking being an important part of meeting prospective constituents and figuring out what their concerns are, Adam. It just makes me aggravated whenever my MP sends me mail with pictures of him flipping pancakes somewhere after years of sending him letters with no response, let alone a round of door-knocking around election time. There are sooo many ways to get to know your constituents, and I’m glad to hear Deron’s team is doing some of them! (full disclosure: I’ve met him a few times in and outside of Edmonton and think he’d be a great MLA myself).

Town halls are always iffy - I go to those things and the crowds they bring out tend to come from pretty narrow demographics and as a general rule don’t get the kind of turnout I think any political representative needs to understand what the people in their riding want.

]]> By: Adam Snider http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1169 Adam Snider Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:36:29 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1169 I did mention town halls. And, you're right, some people don't open the door, but that doesn't change the point I'm making. I did mention town halls. And, you’re right, some people don’t open the door, but that doesn’t change the point I’m making.

]]> By: Rosemary http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1168 Rosemary Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:39:18 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1168 Like the town halls where you can see all of those people and answer their questions. Those who won't open their doors to strangers. I think I was the only one in my buidling besides my friend Denis who opened our doors to the enumarator this year. Let alone politicial reps. Like the town halls where you can see all of those people and answer their questions. Those who won’t open their doors to strangers. I think I was the only one in my buidling besides my friend Denis who opened our doors to the enumarator this year. Let alone politicial reps.

]]> By: Adam Snider http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1163 Adam Snider Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:04:43 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1163 Other things such as what, though? When you're in office, yeah, do other things (but still meet with your constituents from time to time). But, when you're on the campaign trail, knocking on doors and holding "town hall" meetings is practically the only thing you should be doing. Getting your name and your platform out there is what you're supposed to do during a campaign. Other things such as what, though? When you’re in office, yeah, do other things (but still meet with your constituents from time to time). But, when you’re on the campaign trail, knocking on doors and holding “town hall” meetings is practically the only thing you should be doing. Getting your name and your platform out there is what you’re supposed to do during a campaign.

]]> By: Rosemary http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1162 Rosemary Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:51:07 +0000 http://rivercitywriter.com/where-are-the-door-knocking-politicians/#comment-1162 I just think that sometimes the time is spent better doing other things than door knocking. I didn't assume you'd just make your decision on the door knocking, I'm just saying I wouldn't put that in my thought process in deciding on a candidate. I just think that sometimes the time is spent better doing other things than door knocking. I didn’t assume you’d just make your decision on the door knocking, I’m just saying I wouldn’t put that in my thought process in deciding on a candidate.

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