A Simple Tool For Evaluating Politicians

 Politicians in every area of our lives can and should be evaluated against the highest standards of behavior, performance and character before we support them. Political leaders need to know that we have high expectations and will hold them accountable for what they say and do.

The tool that follows will give College Students and others a way to determine how well a Politician's thinking and behavior matches up with the evaluator's expectations. Students should read each statement carefully and make a strong effort to be objective.

Your response to each statement should be supported with multiple facts and examples. Cherry picking and including only single events and limited information that supports personal biases will make the results worthless. No evaluation tool works well when it is improperly used to support existing beliefs rather than reveal the truth.

How To Use This Evaluation Tool

a) Name of the Politician: ______________________________________

Title/Location: _____________________________________________

b) Think about this Politician's words, actions and behavior during the past year or two. Read each statement in A - I below and assign a 1, 0 or -1.

1 = The Politician's performance in this area is very good.

0 = The Politician's performance in this area is acceptable.

-1 = The Politician's performance in this area is very bad.

√ Note: When the statement is not applicable to the Politician being evaluated, you have no opinion on the issue or you just do not know, assign a '0.'

c) Before you get started, indicate your current thinking about the qualifications and performance of this Politician. Circleyour answer.

This Politician is: 1) Very Good 2) Acceptable 3) Poor 4) Very Bad

A. RESPECT

1. This Politician is respected and looked up to by most people. ____

2. This Politician has gained the respect of many other well-known and highly respected leaders, even those who sometimes disagree with him/her. ____

3. With other leaders within our country and around the world, this Politician is respectful and diplomatic. ____

4. This Politician is known for treating everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect. ____

5. This Politician clearly respects the truth, facts and ethical behavior. ____

Section Total - Respect _______

B. HONESTY

6. This Politician is always sincere, forthright and impartial. ____

7. This Politician admits mistakes, failures and set-backs. ____

8. This Politician does not deceive or mislead people. ____

9. This Politician requires complete honesty and transparency from those around him/her. ____

10. The statements and behavior of this Politician clearly show him/her to be honest in every situation. ____

Section Total - Honesty _______

C. ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

11. This Politician stands for and always demonstrates the highest levels of ethical behavior and character. ____

12. This Politician always rejects attempts by influential friends and self-interested outsiders to influence his/her behavior or decisions so they can benefit in some way. ____

13. This Politician never participates in any illegal or questionable behavior or activities that could lead to his/her personal gain. ____

14. This Politician would never hide, twist or cloud information or events to prevent the truth from coming out. ____

15. This Politician is known for always doing the right thing. ____

Section Total - Ethical Behavior _______

D. TRUST

16. This Politician always delivers on and keeps his/her promises. ____

17. This Politician's words/actions are consistent and can be trusted. ____

18. This Politician strives to make things clear and understandable. ____

19. This Politician is completely reliable. ____

20. This Politician will not unexpectedly change direction, leave us wondering what has happened or let us down. ____

Section Total - Trust _______

E. PERSONAL IMAGE

21. This Politician is always viewed by others in a positive way. ____

22. This Politician is classy and gracious. ____

23. This Politician has a stellar reputation. ____

24. People feel excited about working with this Politician. ____

25. This Politician is approachable, friendly, courteous and expresses genuine interest in things that affect or concern you. ____

Section Total - Personal Image _______

F. PERSONAL BEHAVIOR

26. This Politician does not use personal attacks, name calling, false statements and incorrect information to discredit those who oppose his/her goals, beliefs, statements or behavior. ____

27. This Politician seeks and appreciates honest feedback, is a good listener and listens with an open mind. ____

28. This Politician acts thoughtfully, responsibly and deliberately. ____

29. This Politician is good at building and strengthening relationships. ____

30. This Politician does not abuse or manipulate people and does not play them or use them. ____

Section Total - Personal Behavior _______

G. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

31. This Politician has a high regard for the Rule of Law. ____

32. This Politician wants to serve all of his/her constituents. ____

33. This Politician is willing to work with members of the other Political Party in order to build consensus and pass legislation that will solve problems faced by constituents. ____

34. This Politician keeps his/her campaign promises. ____

35. This Politician holds the Constitution in high regard and personally demonstrates the values and principles that make our Country great. ____

Section Total - Political Philosophy _______

H. JOB PERFORMANCE

36. This Politician has clear goals and plans that are well communicated so that everyone around him/her knows and understands where he/she wants to take our Country and can support that effort. ____

37. This Politician uses experts, research and reliable information to better understand the options and consequences before making decisions. ____

38. This Politician is always looking to the future and strongly supports the businesses, research, technologies, job training and jobs that will keep our country safe and prosperous. ____

39. This Politician demonstrates the ability to bring about consensus, solve problems and overcome obstacles in order to get things done. ____

40. This Politician effectively serves the best interests of constituents. ____

Section Total - Job Performance _______

I. POLITICAL BEHAVIOR

41. This Politician will protect our Country from all threats to our national security and any foreign interference in the democratic process. ____

42. This Politician will fight for middle/working class Americans and place their needs and welfare ahead of his/her own, ahead of his/her political party and will not favor multi-millionaires over middle class taxpayers. ____

43. This Politician will work diligently to increase the number of higher paying jobs that are available to middle/working class wage earners. ____

44. To combat efforts to influence the decisions and votes of this Politician, he/she will work to close loopholes and limit the amount of money that can be donated to or obtained/received by politicians or their campaigns from large corporations, lobbyists, special interests and other sources. ____

45. This Politician will stand up against anyone who obstructs, slows down or tries to divert the political and legal processes in our Country. ____

Section Total - Political Behavior _______

RESULTS: Double check your responses in A - I above to be certain that your answers were completely objective and not influenced by personal biases. Make any changes that are necessary. After you double check your answers, record the section totals below and circle your answers (Yes or No) to the following questions:

1. Respect (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the level of respect you require of a leader? Yes No

2. Honesty (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the level of honesty you require of a leader? Yes No

3. Ethical Behavior (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the level of ethical behavior you require of a leader? Yes No

4. Trust (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the level of trust you require of a leader? Yes No

5. Image (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the image you require of a leader? Yes No

6. Personal Behavior (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the personal behavior you require of a leader? Yes No

7. Political Philosophy (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the political philosophy you require of a leader? Yes No

8. Job Performance (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the job performance you require of a leader? Yes No

9. Political Behavior (Section Total ____ ) - Does this Politician demonstrate the political behavior you require of a leader? Yes No

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Grand Total(Combined Section Totals _____ ) - Based on the Grand Total, should you support this Politician in his/her current position or as he/she seeks higher office? See the chart below, then answer Yes or No.