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FAQs Are Simple and FAQs are straight

From ballot initiatives to statewide referenda, California has traditionally led the country in expanding the frontiers of participatory democracy. This is an idea out of San Francisco that seems primed to go national. FAQvoter.com allows citizens to ask candidates direct questions and, presumably, receive boilerplate responses written by campaign staffers. But hey, at least it's something, right? Voters can also click on little pictures of the candidates to be instantly whisked away to the "FAQtory," a page containing all questions previously asked of that candidate. Want to know where someone stands on medical marijuana? Hate crime legislation? Ask away. So far, questions have been pretty substantive, though attorney general aspirant Terence Hallinan was asked where he got the nickname "Kayo." Can a descent into the boxers/briefs morass be far behind? We'll find out.

Thu, 18 Nov 1999 03:59:46 -0800