Do you ignore certain parts of platforms?

[SWTXBelle]

I am voting for the candidate I feel would make the best president.

Novel, I know.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I am voting for the candidate I feel would make the best president.

Novel, I know.

Let us know how that works out.

ETA: Although I felt strongly about doing it myself in the primary, it didn't work out as well as I hoped. I can understand though feeling that going with the closest to the ideal is appealing.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Let us know how that works out.

ETA: Although I felt strongly about doing it myself in the primary, it didn't work out as well as I hoped. I can understand though feeling that going with the closest to the ideal is appealing.

I can tell you how it works out now - my candidate may not win, but I will not have contributed to continuing the status quo, which MARK MY WORDS is what you will get with either of the two main party candidates.

Let me know how the whole "voting for the lesser of two evils" or "voting for someone I don't really support but feel I should vote for" or "voting AGAINST a candidate more than voting for one" works out for you!

eta - that is an inclusive "you", directed not just to UGAalum but all those who have stated a variation of the above rationales for voting for Obama or McCain.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I can tell you how it works out now - my candidate may not win, but I will not have contributed to continuing the status quo, which MARK MY WORDS is what you will get with either of the two main party candidates.

Let me know how the whole "voting for the lesser of two evils" or "voting for someone I don't really support but feel I should vote for" or "voting AGAINST a candidate more than voting for one" works out for you!

eta - that is an inclusive "you", directed not just to UGAalum but all those who have stated a variation of the above rationales for voting for Obama or McCain.

I realized much more of a jerk than I intend, sorry.

There's something to be said for voting for who you most believe in, but there's also something to be said for being more pragmatic.

Those of us with lesser of two evils thinking hope that we get a government that is more likely to reflect our beliefs than the other government that could possibly be voted in. And it really will come down to one or the other. And they are both likely to not change much, you are right.

On the other hand you can have the satisfaction of not having participated with a third or minor party vote, but that's about all you'll get.

I think the thing to do is to push for the people you want at the primary level of the big parties, like the Paul folks did this year. Or to push for the establishment of a more parliamentary system, but I don't think that's likely to happen.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I realized much more of a jerk than I intend, sorry.

There's something to be said for voting for who you most believe in, but there's also something to be said for being more pragmatic.

Those of us with lesser of two evils thinking hope that we get a government that is more likely to reflect our beliefs than the other government that could possibly be voted in. And it really will come down to one or the other. And they are both likely to not change much, you are right.

On the other hand you can have the satisfaction of not having participated with a third or minor party vote, but that's about all you'll get.

I think the thing to do is to push for the people you want at the primary level of the big parties, like the Paul folks did this year. Or to push for the establishment of a more parliamentary system, but I don't think that's likely to happen.

Being pragmatic seems to me to mean settling for more of the same. I'm tired of it.

Just here on GC - look how many intelligent, politically concerned GCers have stated they are voting for a candidate they do not feel would be the best president/senator/whatever. Imagine what kind of change could be wrought if everyone STOPPED being pragmatic, and instead became a little idealistic.

You may say that I'm a dreamer.
But I'm not the only one.
I hope some day you'll join us.

Thank you, John Lennon.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Being pragmatic seems to me to mean settling for more of the same. I'm tired of it.

Just here on GC - look how many intelligent, politically concerned GCers have stated they are voting for a candidate they do not feel would be the best president/senator/whatever. Imagine what kind of change could be wrought if everyone STOPPED being pragmatic, and instead became a little idealistic.

You may say that I'm a dreamer.
But I'm not the only one.
I hope some day you'll join us.

Thank you, John Lennon.

I did feel frustrated by the number of people who were theoretically Fred fans who wouldn't vote for him in even the primary. The funniest part is that most of them voted for Romney instead.

[AGDee]

I do think it's unfortunate that we assume that the two current major parties are the only parties that will ever exist. The political parties have changed over the years and the only thing stopping them from changing again is the attitude that they can't change.

That said, if you're leaning toward voting for McCain but would really prefer the Libertarian candidate, then I think you should definitely vote for the Libertarian! If you're leaning toward voting for Obama but would really prefer the Libertarian candidate, then vote for Obama anyway

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I can tell you how it works out now - my candidate may not win, but I will not have contributed to continuing the status quo, which MARK MY WORDS is what you will get with either of the two main party candidates.

Let me know how the whole "voting for the lesser of two evils" or "voting for someone I don't really support but feel I should vote for" or "voting AGAINST a candidate more than voting for one" works out for you!

eta - that is an inclusive "you", directed not just to UGAalum but all those who have stated a variation of the above rationales for voting for Obama or McCain.

By voting for the lesser of all evils, I'm also voting for the person who I think would make the best President of the group (McCain). I thought that was pretty clear, but I guess not.

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Interesting, from swtx's signature, I googled and found the Baldwin site -- for all those arguing that who is elected President could ultimately have no direct effect on the abortion issue, this from the Baldwin issues link:


Not saying this would happen (lots of politics would come into play), but it makes the point that it COULD happen.

It could happen, but there are a lot of things that could happen. I just don't think it's at all likely.

Stripping the Court's appellate jurisdiction on a single issue would be an enormous move, and (I think) one unprecedented in US History. The thing is, the Court's decisions on the abortion issue reach so many other issues (right to privacy, etc.), that you would have to strip the Court's appellate jurisdiction on those issues as well. Then, you're getting into a real seperation of the powers problem and a whole number of other legal issues. I that if this Baldwin is suggesting that the Court's appellate jurisdiction could be stripped on a single issue, he really doesn't get the point.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I that if this Baldwin is suggesting that the Court's appellate jurisdiction could be stripped on a single issue, he really doesn't get the point.

Are you questioning his two Honorary Doctorate Degrees??!??!111!?!?

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

By voting for the lesser of all evils, I'm also voting for the person who I think would make the best President of the group (McCain). I thought that was pretty clear, but I guess not.

Well, if you can't fully support any one candidate, I guess voting for the lesser of ALL evils would be the way to go.

Come to that, and in keeping with the op, I've never had a candidate whose platform I was 100% in agreement with. Odds are I never will, unless I run. Hmmm . . . .well, I was named "Most Likely to Be First Woman President" by my junior high class, and I have a former student who is after me to convince McCain to select me instead of Palin . . . I do have ovaries, after all! But I can't even promise to bring him the GC vote, so I don't think that's an option after all.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Are you questioning his two Honorary Doctorate Degrees??!??!111!?!?

Haha, yes, I'm afraid I am. My simple mind can't wrap itself around his logic...

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Well, if you can't fully support any one candidate, I guess voting for the lesser of ALL evils would be the way to go.

Come to that, and in keeping with the op, I've never had a candidate whose platform I was 100% in agreement with. Odds are I never will, unless I run. Hmmm . . . .well, I was named "Most Likely to Be First Woman President" by my junior high class, and I have a former student who is after me to convince McCain to select me instead of Palin . . . I do have ovaries, after all! But I can't even promise to bring him the GC vote, so I don't think that's an option after all.

That's the thing; I think that 99% of us, if we're being completely honest with ourselves, don't agree with EVERYTHING on a candidate's platform. Even if you're truly passionate about a candidate, you don't have to agree with everything he/she says.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I am voting for the candidate I feel would make the best president.

Novel, I know.

Serious question, if you're willing to answer (and I won't hold it against you if you'd rather not):

Why do you think Baldwin would make the best president of all the candidates?

[SWTXBelle]

I'll not go into all my thinking, partially because I am not yet 100% sure he is who I will vote for - right now, it looks like it. Technically, I guess I'm undecided, other than the fact it will NOT be McCain or Obama. I'm still reading and trying to figure out who really would be the best president.

My knee-jerk gut reaction to presidential politics is to immediately look at the Libertarian and Constitutional candidates. My political views are somewhere between the two parties. There is a certain contrarian aspect to my choice, too. I'm tired of voters voting in those who are long-term political players, and then being surprised that nothing really improves. Were McCain truly a maverick Republican, I could get behind him (perhaps). But I think a lot of the "maverick" is a result of branding, as opposed to true maverick behavior. (See what I did there with the word "branding"??)

So, there is a certain desire to just see someone other than Obama or McCain in a GC sig line - I was a passionate Ron Paul supporter (someone who really has been a maverick Republican!), and with him out of the race I've found it harder to get excited again.

As I said, I'm not sure it will be Baldwin in November for me.

My facebook says my political views are "cranky".

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

My knee-jerk gut reaction to presidential politics is to immediately look at the Libertarian and Constitutional candidates. My political views are somewhere between the two parties. There is a certain contrarian aspect to my choice, too. I'm tired of voters voting in those who are long-term political players, and then being surprised that nothing really improves. Were McCain truly a maverick Republican, I could get behind him (perhaps). But I think a lot of the "maverick" is a result of branding, as opposed to true maverick behavior. (See what I did there with the word "branding"??)

You're quite right in this - McCain was never as much of a maverick as he was made out to be. He has always been quite conservative in his beliefs and his platform.

I would definitely consider a third-party candidate if there was one who I could really get behind. But, I've only been truly passionate about one political candidate in my life (Romney), and there hasn't been a third party candidate in any election who I could really support over the others.

Actually, I think the only third-party candidate I've voted for is Lieberman in the last Senate race, and that's more because I think he's done a good job representing CT.

[MysticCat]

SWTXBelle, fair enough.

And I hope you're fairing well w/ Ike!