"It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs." ~ Albert Einstein
The Virginia Primary is over and John McCain won again. The Liberally biased AP gleefully reports that his lead is now officially insurmountable. Of course, Republicans knew that already.
Although McCain has the nomination all sewn up, I went to vote anyway. I am angry at the Republican party, which is traditionally the standard bearer for Conservatism, so I was hoping the Virginia election commission(or whatever the governmental agency that regulates such things is called) would allow write -in votes, but there was no place for write-ins on the ballot.
Since McCain has already secured the nomination, a vote in the Virginia Primary makes no difference other than as a statement of principle. I wanted to write-in Duncan Hunter in protest against the party that abandoned it's Conservative base.
After I received my Republican ballot, I overheard the election workers discussing the fact that more Democrats were showing up to vote than Republicans, which came as no surprise to me because, as I mentioned, there really is no reason to vote in the Republican primary. I am sure many Republicans didn't bother coming in.
But it was important to me to vote to lodge my personal protest.
A vote for a candidate that has no chance in winning makes a statement with less impact to the Republican party than the sound a BB makes rattling around in a boxcar.
With that realization, as I filled in the dot beside the name of Fred Thompson, I felt a minute sense of satisfaction.
I had cast my vote based on principle.
Apparently I wasn't the only one who voted on principle. McCain's margin of victory over Huckabee was slim. And the other candidates received thousands of votes, too. I am reasonably certain that many Republicans only voted for McCain because he is already the nominee.
Perhaps when he looks at the results and sees how many "protest" votes other candidates received it will send a message to him that the Republican party is not wholly behind him in this race. At least, that's my thinking.
Probably not, though.
When the general election arrives in November, I will vote for the Republican nominee, although it will be McCain. Then I will go home and take a shower.
As I remarked to the people at the polls yesterday, it's a pity there isn't a space on the ballot for "Anyone else."
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12 comments:
Good for you for voting. I regulary resort to having to do a write-in candidate. What else can you do when no one represents your position?
Voting is our moral, ethical and duty as American citizens. When it is election time, I feel such a deep sense of pride that I have the privilege to do so. I know each and every person standing in line share one major thing in common with me. They are exercising a right wich billions of people around the world can not do. Whether I like the candidates I have to choose from, just doesn't matter at that moment I am standing in the voting booth. I am just grateful for the right to be a part of the process.
Sending messages is all well and good, but it is more helpful the more direct one can be. Call McCain's campaign headquarters or his senate office. Encourage others to do so as well. And if that can be done, vent like there's no tomorrow, which is in question if Obama or Clinton become prez. It's a little shakey with McCain as well, but politicians do react to calls, letters and emails, if they come in huge numbers. Make a list first and then let 'im have it. When it's comfirmed he's the GOP nominee, then let 'er rip!
Great chance that our next President will be appointing 4 judges to the supreme court. If McCain jacks up everything else and gets that one right then I see it as a net win.
Safe to say a democrat will apointe a partisan
Pamela;
Perhaps I am a lone voice crying in the wilderness, but when one has the choice of voting for Satan or one of his minions, I see nothing to feel a deep sense of pride or patriotism in. I can only feel a sense of sorrow and disgust that this is what my beloved country has come to.
marshall art;
we can make all the phone calls, write as many letters, or sign all the petitions we want, but in the meantime, the damage is being done and we are all going to suffer in the end. I know, because I have lost count of all the letters I wrote, calls I have made and petitions I have signed, and not a darn one did any good.
Good on ya for voting.
I think that there is enough unease towards McCain from conservatives that he'll try harder to work with that constituent group. I guess we'll see.
Hi Mark,
Glad you voted. I voted for Thompson as well, but at the time, it actually meant something because he was still in the race. Still not sure what I will do in November. I'm sure I will become a team player by then. Just not zealously so.
Blessings
For the first time in my life, I am not going to vote in a Presidential Election. If my choice is McCain or any Democrat, I'll stay home. I don't see enough difference between McCain and the Libs to think it'll really matter. Besides that, the Republican Party has deserted conservatives, and I won't support it anymore.
I can relate, Ms. Green. However, I believe the proper course is to be even more supportive of the party, by being more involved with the process. This can be turned around by people who are willing to study and/or participate in local politics whence comes these poor choices. Arizona is not California. How could Arizona's people keep relecting this guy? These people are not paying attention or perhaps they feel compelled by all the POW talk. At the same time, their other senator is John Kyl. Why the hell ain't he running for president? The ACU rates him at around 97% over McCain's 83%.
How many phone calls does it take to get a politician to change his position? Or a party to seek a better candidate? How many emails or letters? Politicians are like sales people. They'll bend to your every whim if they hear from other people who say the same. Hugh Hewitt encourages people to donate even to candidates from other states or out of your area to keep the party in power. Why not do the same only for the really conservative ones?
The bottom line is the reason the party has deserted us is because we didn't stay on their backs, if we were even there at all. If we really hold their feet to the fire, it means we have to let them know what we expect in a senator, congressman, mayor, school board president or US president.
Look at the left. They're lazy. They flock to nice words. They let themselves get carried away by rhetoric and fantasy. And that's happening now to the right. We have to insist on the type of person who really reflects our positions, and can articulate their benefits in a manner that even libs can understand.
OK. Got a little preachy. Sorry.
LOL! I swear, Art, you must be my long lost twin!
Sorry, I know that must be incredibly offensive to you. It just seems that you and I think a lot alike.
Good for you, Ms. Green. We will gladly take your nonvote. I would be dishonest to pretend otherwise.
"It just seems that you and I think a lot alike."
I have to think we're not unique in this belief. It's just so common sensical considering how the system is set up. Others want to change the system. With the same personnel, I don't see change making much difference in the long run. Only real involvement will bring about the desired results. It did on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, it did on the Harriet Meiers nomination, it can on almost any issue.
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