As someone whose beliefs straddle the left and right I find certain candidates on both sides appealing and certain candidates on both sides unappealing. Specifically I have a Republican candidate I would vote for and I have a Democratic candidate I would vote for. If one or the other does not get their party's nomination I will invariably vote for the one that did (it is highly unlikely that both won't get nominated). I'm curious where everyone else falls. If your candidate does not get nominated, do you stick to party lines or are you willing to cross or will you actually consider a third part instead? Please include which party you are along with your [possible] decision.
Let's see. Obama vs. anyone I vote Obama. Clinton vs. McCain, I vote McCain. Clinton vs. any of the other Republican options, I vote Grimes.
If Obama doesn't get the nod, there's really nothing that could make me vote for Hillary. Despite his social conservatism, I don't think a McCain presidency would be so bad, but I'd most likely vote 3rd-party.
If its Hillary vs. McCain, I will vote Hillary, but would like to take a long hard look at Bloomberg.
If it comes to that remind me to PM you a long, long list of why you should laugh at the idea of voting for Bloomberg. I'm a huge Obama supporter, but if Clinton should get the nod for the donks I will pull the lever for her with relish.
Yeah, same. I consciously prepped myself for voting Hillary in case it comes to that, and by now I'm enthusiastic about her as my backup; she's an impressive woman. It's helpful to read as much as possible about her past, especially the 1970s incarnation of Hillary - I guess I like that one better than, say, the one who co-sponsored an anti-flag-burning bill with Bob Bennett. I also like the 60s Hillary who started as president of a Young Republicans chapter and ended up writing her senior thesis on Saul Alinsky. I can get on board with her. But with Barry O. taking a slight delegate lead (so one hears), facing a very sympathetic slate leading up to the more challenging March 4, with superdelegates being malleable weenies - minus the ones who are literally PAID to support Hillary, like, say, McAuliffe - and with Michigan and Florida delegates getting seated only over my dead body, I'll still be really disappointed if Obama doesn't win it. I'll definitely need those two months before the general to suck it up and get ready to vote for Hillary. There's always the possibility that it gets much more bitter from here on out, though. If we go into the convention with a close enough count that superdelegates and/or the unseated FL-MI folks look likely to swing it to Hillary, I may be one of many who end up in Colorado to go 1968 on that sh*t. I'm intent right now on voting for the eventual nominee - but who knows, some of what might go down could leave such a bitter taste in one's mouth that everything could go out the window. Just a crazy hypothetical.
I shall look forward to that - LOL. In truth, I would probably vote Hillary, but Bloomberg does seem interesting right now. In any case, I'm not writing off BO by any means. He may gain some momentum heading into Texas/Ohio.
One reason I like McCain and would be willing to vote for him if my other choice is Hillary is that while he is a social conservative, he isn't a complete nutball social conservative. There is a difference. I really don't see him being all that bad of a president. At least with him I get the feeling that he has had at some point in let's say the past two decades a geniune emotion and an opinion or two that wasn't based upon what was going to get him elected. Even listening to Hillary speak I have to wonder if she's ever said anything that wasn't read from a script. Of course, I should also point out that based upon where I live, my vote is about as significant as fart in a hurricane.
I'll take matrim's PM against Bloomberg as well, because a case can made against most candidates these days. But if Obama wins, it'll be because he really did build up the momentum, and Bloombug's not going to enter should one of the major party candidates have a major head of steam. It would have taken a Romney-Edwards tilt to get him in, so my plan B seems off the table now. I'm suffering from Billitis, and the notion of him having this big an audience for 4 more years is discouraging. So while I will vote for Hillary should she win, I'd be OK with a McCain presidency.
If it's Hillary Clinton versus anyone, then it'll have to be the National Radical Meadow Party for me!
A non-vote for Hillary is a vote for McCain. Those who choose personality over policy get the democracy they deserve.
All the latest general election polls confirm as much - McCain is leading against Hillary, while Obama is leading over McCain. Marginal difference, of course, but still.
Depending on who you talk to, a vote for John McCain is either a vote for a flaming liberal or for a right wing wacko.
I'm talking about policy, not party affiliation. In my experience, America is one of the few countries where a substantial portion of the population are willing to vote against their self interest. It's fascinating.
I'd consider voting for another party the day that John McCain has a better universal healthcare plan than Obama or Clinton.
You think? I found that to be true in other democracies as well. People often vote against their own interests for many reasons. It's human nature. People get caught up supporting a political party like it was a sports team. Or, they are mesmerized by a charismatic candidate with personal appeal.