Do you ignore certain parts of platforms?

[DGTess]

I can't imagine not considering a candidate's stance on issues in making a decision.

What you have to decide is what the relative priority is among his/her ability to make policy of his issues and the likelihood of it happening. Whether you can count on Congress to agree and push something through, or to disagree and block it.

I also look, for someone who's been in the Congress, at how many cosponsors s/he has been successful in getting. That says something about a candidate's willingness and ability to get others to work toward a goal--an essential part of leadership (and why Ron Paul's candidacy was doomed).

That's why I'm not supporting anyone this year. I'll vote, but neither is going to be able to do a quarter of what he's espousing.