As the Republican candidates have begun battling for the nomination, they’ve launched attacks on President Obama.

But there is other information available. The trouble is, people don’t seem interested in it; they prefer Jerry Springer-esque accusations. The media will continue to focus on these until the voters start asking other questions.

If your vote isn’t already locked in for Obama, if you’re looking for a better alternative, or even if you firmly want Obama out of office, then you need to arm yourself with information more comprehensive than whatever you glean from attacks on his character.

The clips on TV or the attention-grabbing titles of news articles should not be the only things that spur you to learn about a candidate. While we’re on the subject, just visiting a candidate’s website isn’t enough either.

You need to go out and hear the candidates speak, or at least watch video coverage of events where a candidate speaks in full on the Internet. That means no skimming or multitasking; you have to pay attention.

The candidates out there use attacks on opponents to get you on their side, but they make other appeals as well. If you ask them questions, they will answer. Some of their responses will be drivel. Some will be legitimate. But you have to go out and meet them to know the difference. You have to get involved.

But you probably just read this editorial’s headline instead of taking a second look.