Presidential election observation and poll.

[goalie]

Principles are for primaries & conventions, the general election is about blocking the worst choice with the most likely to accomplish that end. This is why I caucus with the Republicans and will not waste my vote when the system is clearly only two parties whether we like it or not. As an example I haven't cared for Jim Alber's record and would take a good look at anyone who wanted to challenge him inside the party, but I'd take him over his DFL opponent any day, for the simple reason that I have better access to get my view heard when I don't agree with his position and he did surprise me with the reforms he pushed through as the H&HS chair. We already know what happens when Obama's blunders have access to the White House.
This is why I'm voting for Romney, he may not have been my first choice but my vote for him is the best chance to beat BO.

This mindset is why the republican party can **** you in the ass and get you to say "thank you" when they are done.

Until they realize that THEY CAN LOSE THEIR **** JOBS because they **** you in the ass, well, why would they change.

4 more years of Obama is better than a lifetime of the lesser of two evils ********.

[jgalt]

Principles are for primaries & conventions, the general election is about blocking the worst choice with the most likely to accomplish that end. This is why I caucus with the Republicans and will not waste my vote when the system is clearly only two parties whether we like it or not. As an example I haven't cared for Jim Alber's record and would take a good look at anyone who wanted to challenge him inside the party, but I'd take him over his DFL opponent any day, for the simple reason that I have better access to get my view heard when I don't agree with his position and he did surprise me with the reforms he pushed through as the H&HS chair. We already know what happens when Obama's blunders have access to the White House.
This is why I'm voting for Romney, he may not have been my first choice but my vote for him is the best chance to beat BO.

This mindset is why the republican party can **** you in the ass and get you to say "thank you" when they are done.

Until they realize that THEY CAN LOSE THEIR **** JOBS because they **** you in the ass, well, why would they change.

4 more years of Obama is better than a lifetime of the lesser of two evils ********.

[gyrfalcon]

Not to mention that purging the party of moderates is a horrible long term strategy.

If the party is not going to have a clear ideology and political positions it shouldn't exist. The moderates you speak of are nothing more than self-gratifying fools who will vote on whims, looks, or whatever other superficial standard they come up with.

[tman]

4 more years of Obama is better than a lifetime of the lesser of two evils ********.

Do you really think that four more years of Obama will change who gets nominated the next time?

[plblark]

The potential for 2 supreme court justices weighs heavily.

[jgalt]

The potential for 2 supreme court justices weighs heavily.

I know I cheered goalie's reply above, and I stand by that - but this point is equally valid, and is the only reason I may still vote for the lesser of these two particular evils...

I'll first need to be persuaded that Romney would appoint justices I'd support though. Got any info on this? I'll look it up eventually if you don't, but if you do, I'll take it...

[rugersol]

4 more years of Obama is better than a lifetime of the lesser of two evils ********.

Do you really think that four more years of Obama will change who gets nominated the next time?

+∞³

[rugersol]

The potential for 2 supreme court justices weighs heavily.

+∞³

[Heffay]

The potential for 2 supreme court justices weighs heavily.

+∞³

Again, your vote is meaningless if you cast it for Romney. He won't win Minnesota. If you vote for Paul, at least it'll make a difference. Your presidential vote will have zero effect on any judicial nominations.

You'd make far more of an impact on which senator you select, since any nomination has to be approved there first.

[rugersol]

Again, your vote is meaningless if you cast it for Romney. He won't win Minnesota.

No question! ... way too many "smart" people voting for Paul ... 'er ... whomever?!

Again, if anyone thinks the folks regularly attending GOP caucuses are gonna "learn" anything! ...

Kudos to everyone who tried to make a go of Paul on the GOP ticket! ... ya gave it yer best shot! ... however, unfortunately, clearly, the vast majority of "conservative" voters don't like him ... for whatever reason ... at which, in the general election, he stands NO chance!

'Til run-off elections, a 3rd-party will only ever be a sucker-vote ... just ask everyone who voted Nader '00 and '04! ... wait! ... don't ask them! ... I'm guessin' they STILL ain't figured it out!

Single best thing that could happen for us, is if Nader decides to run every 4yr!

[grousemaster]

Again, your vote is meaningless if you cast it for Romney. He won't win Minnesota.

No question! ... way too many "smart" people voting for Paul ... 'er ... whomever?!

Again, if anyone thinks the folks regularly attending GOP caucuses are gonna "learn" anything! ...

Kudos to everyone who tried to make a go of Paul on the GOP ticket! ... ya gave it yer best shot! ... however, unfortunately, clearly, the vast majority of "conservative" voters don't like him ... for whatever reason ... at which, in the general election, he stands NO chance!

'Til run-off elections, a 3rd-party will only ever be a sucker-vote ... just ask everyone who voted Nader '00 and '04! ... wait! ... don't ask them! ... I'm guessin' they STILL ain't figured it out!

Single best thing that could happen for us, is if Nader decides to run every 4yr!

Yep, even if 1/4 of Minnesotans voted for Paul it wouldn't mean anything.

[rugersol]

... anyhow, the GOP is still reeling from the harsh lesson Minnesotans laid on 'em in 1984! ...





I don't know that I'll ever get over how much "smarter" Minnesotans are, than the rest of the county?!

[fishdude]

Don't cast a write-in vote. In Minnesota (and most states), write in votes aren't even counted unless the person you are writing in declares their intent to be a write in candidate. Ron Paul isn't going to do this. If you write in Ron Paul or anyone else (unless they declare write-in status), you truly are wasting your vote.

I know the intent is by writing in Paul, it's going to send a message. In reality, because he isn't going to register as a write-in candidate, a vote for him will just get lumped into the generic "Other Write-In Votes". His name won't even show up on the results. See 2008 results: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_St ... sota,_2008

If Ron Paul was on the ballot, he would get my vote. Since it doesn't look like that's going to happen, I'll be voting for someone that the vote will actually count for.

[chudrockz]

Don't cast a write-in vote. In Minnesota (and most states), write in votes aren't even counted unless the person you are writing in declares their intent to be a write in candidate. Ron Paul isn't going to do this. If you write in Ron Paul or anyone else (unless they declare write-in status), you truly are wasting your vote.

I know the intent is by writing in Paul, it's going to send a message. In reality, because he isn't going to register as a write-in candidate, a vote for him will just get lumped into the generic "Other Write-In Votes". His name won't even show up on the results. See 2008 results: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_St ... sota,_2008

If Ron Paul was on the ballot, he would get my vote. Since it doesn't look like that's going to happen, I'll be voting for someone that the vote will actually count for.

I think people get caught up in the "wasted vote" or "will the vote count" thing. I'm writing in Ron Paul. Not because he'll win, and not to "send a message." I don't even care whether it gets counted, or tossed outside in the grass and peed on. I'm voting for the best candidate. Period. Anyone else who might win is a Gomer Pyle in my opinion, and not worth a damn.

[jgalt]

I think people get caught up in the "wasted vote" or "will the vote count" thing. I'm writing in Ron Paul. Not because he'll win, and not to "send a message." I don't even care whether it gets counted, or tossed outside in the grass and peed on. I'm voting for the best candidate. Period. Anyone else who might win is a Gomer Pyle in my opinion, and not worth a damn.

If you're writing in Ron Paul, then you aren't voting for the best candidate - since he isn't running. Using your definition, everyone is a candidate for every office...

I'm not sayin' don't do it, just don't call him a "candidate".