Question for the "I won't vote for X" DUers

[onenote]

There apparently are some DUers who have announced that if "X" is the party's candidate they will not vote for "X". Presumably, many, if not most, of these DUers are supporting another Democrat for the nomination. So here is my question:

It is a virtually certainty that when the nominating convention is over, all of the Democrats that didn't get the nomination will publicly announce their support for whomever gets the nomination and most, if not all, of those Democrats will urge their supporters to do likewise and will actively campaign for the ticket. You can just about bet on it.

Since its likely that the candidate that the anybody but "X" DUers support is willing to support "X", should the anybody but "X" DUers stop supporting their choice because he/she is going to be a "sell-out" or should they rethink their position.

[Mythsaje]

1. I'll vote for whoever wins the nomination...

Doesn't mean I have to like it, and that I won't do everything in my power to fight for my chosen candidate.

[Clintonista2]

2. Don't use X, just use "Hillary"

I've never heard a Hillary supporter ever say "I won't vote for Obama" or "I won't vote for Edwards"

[debbierlus]

3. I will vote for X - but I won't campaign or donate or the rest

Instead I will give my time & energy to progressive causes....

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. Likewise

"Vote" does not equal campaign support.

[murielm99]

5. Excellent answer.

Thank you for a mature response.

I have no preference at this point, for X or any other candidate. I will decide later, and vote for the nominee, whomever he/she may be.

There are many good progressive candidates at the state and grassroots levels. We need people to fight hard for them, finance them, and nurture them until we can get them into higher offices.

I can think of three in my area right now who I am working for and supporting. One is a county board candidate. One is a state senate candidate, and one is running for Congress against an entrenched * rubber stamp. The latter is part of the 50 state strategy, and you never know. He may win.

There are a ton of progressive causes out there too. There are so many it is hard to choose. I only have so much money. I give a lot to my local Democrats. But Planned Parenthood always gets $100.00 a year from me, no matter what.

[LWolf]

6. Here's your answer, but first let's clarify the questions:

should the anybody but "X" DUers stop supporting their choice because he/she is going to be a "sell-out"

No. It's likely that most or all losing candidates will make some statement of support for the eventual nominee. It's routine procedure. I have to participate in the flag salute every damned morning at work, regardless of my opinions about the flag or the pledge.

Since I don't approve of daily recitals of the flag salute, I stand silently, or, to make sure my voice is heard, I recite the part I can truly mean: "with liberty and justice for all."

Losing candidates will be doing the same. I understand that, and don't hold it against them. Their endorsement doesn't affect me one way or another, though. No endorsement does. My vote is mine to award, or not. I'm going to make a careful, considered choice based on my criteria, not based on what someone else urges.

or should they rethink their position.

I rethink my positions continuously. That's my job, too. My positions on candidates are based on issues and record. They can change their positions on issues, although I don't expect to see that happen mid-campaign. They can't change their records, though, no matter how they try to spin it differently.

If I've singled out candidates for non-support, it's for carefully considered reasons. If something happens to drastically change the situation, I'd reconsider. Otherwise, when I say I won't vote for someone, I mean it. I'm sure as hell not going to change my mind because you, or anyone else, thinks I should. If I change my mind, it's because something else has changed the situation.

75 % of the current 8 have the opportunity to earn my vote in the general election; some have a better chance than others. When we know who the nominee is, I'll be re-evaluating what level of support that candidate has earned from me.

25% of the current 8 are drawing dead, as far as my vote goes. If one of that 25% gets the nomination, then I'll be rethinking my relationship with the Democratic Party.

Any way you want to slice it, I'll be doing plenty of re-evaluating as the primary race heads towards the convention.