Campaign promises under oath: viable?
I was very recently comparing the Executive and Judicial branches of the US government.
By my understanding, during the confirmation of potential Supreme Court justices, the Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings. Nominees are required to answer questions under oath. For example, Justice Roberts said, under oath, that his two favorite movies were "Doctor Zhivago" and "North by Northwest".
George W. Bush made a very specific campaign promise in the run-up to the 2000 election:
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation building."
"...a nation-building corps from America. Absolutely not. Our military is meant to fight."
People may have voted for Bush based on their distaste for what they may have interpreted as Bill Clinton engaging in nation building in Bosnia.
When a politician goes back on his or her word, there has been a failure of the democratic process. How can we vote for someone to represent us if they aren't clear or truthful about what they will represent in office? To that end...
... would it be viable to require candidates to make campaign promises under oath?
|