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Move On.org quizzes people on their knowledge of Bush, McCain

By Dave Gordon

HUDSON — Move On.org, the Web site that favors Democratic candidates, is offering a multiple-choice quiz with three possible answers: Bush, McCain or both. Questions range from positions on the issues to which candidate scored in the lowest one percent of his college graduating class.

Move On supporters from around the country set up tables Wednesday at the Seventh Street Park in Hudson to ask passers-by to take the quiz. Seven Move On supporters set up signs, balloons and tables with stacks of the quiz leaflets to offer “The Bush-McCain Challenge” to those strolling past.

The reason for the action is “our attempt to show that there is practically no difference between Bush and McCain, and most people are really upset about Bush,” said Robert Bisson, host of the event. “People should understand that voting for McCain is like giving Bush another term.”

In addition to the challenge leaflets, the organizers hung balloons and offered bystanders candy from a large jar on the table.

“We're trying to be a little festive,” Bisson explained.

“We hoped someone would come in costume, but I don't have an Uncle Sam costume,” said Michelle Richardson.

Among the dozen or so bystanders who stopped, most said they already favored Democrats. They took the leaflets but said they did not have time to answer the questions. Several said they would pass the leaflets on to friends. Because the answer to each question was printed just below the question, people could not take the challenge as a self-test. Those who tried answering the questions that were read to them did poorly.

Andrew DiGiacomo was willing to take the test, and scratched his head as each answer was read aloud. He got one of the five questions on the leaflet correct. He missed all the questions on a second leaflet — and DiGiacomo was a strong Democratic supporter.

While several passers-by expressed a preference for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Party nominee, they were quick to say they would vote for whichever candidate the party nominated.

The organizers said they were somewhat disappointed at the turnout and wished that Move On had chosen a day when more people would be out and about. A Saturday at the Farmers' Market, for instance, would bring out more people with a few minutes to take the quiz.

Were the activists concerned that their emphasis on the similarity of McCain’s positions to Bush's might help convince Republicans who felt McCain was too liberal for them to change their minds?

“I think even the (Republican) party faithful are asking themselves if they really want another four years of Bush,” said Richardson.

While most of those who stopped to take the challenge or to discuss the content of the leaflets were supportive, there was at least one skeptic.

“Statements taken out of context can be interpreted any way,” said Paul Rosen of New Jersey. “They have a right to state their opinion — this is America.”

However, when offered a Hershey's chocolate kiss, he refused it. “You shouldn't be offering people sugar and caffeine,” he said. “You're poisoning them.”

Anyone interested in taking the challenge can find the questions at www.bush-mccainchallenge.com. The answers will be given after answering the questions.

And the candidate who finished in the bottom one percent of his class? That would be John McCain, who finished fifth from last in his class of 899 students at the Naval Academy at Annapolis.

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