What should a conservative in Wisconsin do?
The Wisconsin primary tomorrow presents conservatives like me with quite a dilemma. I could vote for John McCain, but since he's already going to win it's kind of a wasted vote and besides, I don't exactly like McCain. Alternatively, I could vote for Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul to send a message to the GOP. Unfortunately, that message would be "I am crazy". Not exactly what I have in mind.
In Wisconsin, I even have the option of voting in the Democratic primary. So, I could vote for Clinton or Obama. But, do I choose the candidate that I think McCain will have the best chance against or do I choose the candidate I'd rather have as President assuming that either will beat McCain?
Finally, I could just abstain from voting.
So, what to do? First, I can't just not vote. If I didn't, I'm quite sure that the ghost of my father would rise up to kick me in the ass. Second, I think it's just flat out wrong to vote in the Democratic primary for strategic reasons. The Dems have the right to choose their own nominee. I get so upset every two years when my neighbors (95% of whom vote for Dem candidates) vote in the Republican congressional primary for the most extreme candidate in order to make sure that our Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin gets to face the weakest opponent.
I guess that leaves voting for McCain. Well, I guess it's good practice for November. I'll know exactly how long to hold my nose.
Posted by at February 18, 2008 02:18 PM
The trackback entry for this page is : http://www.inthehat.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1616
| Trackback Entries |
Comments
| # February 18th, 2008 5:38 PM themandownthehall |
| Vote for Hillary. Keep them spending their money against each other now. Hopefully it will mean less money lately. |
| # February 18th, 2008 6:36 PM james |
| you have every right to vote for the weakest dem candidate. if the legislature dislikes it, they can change the damned law. it's not fair that you abstain when others don't.
i do not subscribe to this silly "vote or die" mentality out there. it is no one's duty to vote. think of it like this: you have the right, not the responsibility, to bear arms. you may not own a gun, but you sleep better at night knowing that if it became necessary, you could. the fact that you don't feel the need to purchase a gun means that the second amendment is working. voting should be seen in the same light. get out there and vote if you care enough to. if you don't, then our republican system of government is working - you benefit from all of the other voters who keep the government in check. voting only for the sake of voting is just plain silly. |
| # February 20th, 2008 7:59 PM themandownthehall |
| James,
That was some of the best insight on voting I have ever seen. Well done. |