Tactical voting vs voting your heart

[eileen from OH]

As a Dean supporter, this was never a problem for me as I believed that both converged with my candidate.

But last night drove the last stake in that feeling. So, like a lot of other Dean supporters, I've got some thinking to do. Here's where I am right now.

1) Vote for Dean anyway. This does not appeal even though I still love the guy. I've thrown away a good number of votes in my life by voting my heart and believing it was somehow making a statement and well, them days is over. All one has to do is look at Nader's current rep and influence to know it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. The ONLY way Dean can make a difference now is by dropping now and keeping all of us involved in another way. If he stays in now, he'll just be one more asterisk in the history books. Like it or not, a vote for Dean is now a vote for Kerry. Which I'd go ahead and do buuuttt. . .well, see below.

2) Vote for Kerry. Also a non-starter, because he doesn't do it for me either tactically or with my heart. Yeah, he can win the nom, that's not a prob. But, I am verrrry shaky on his chances against Bush. All you have to do is watch him speak and imagine the contrast with Bush. He simply can't resist from over-talking and preaching. Perception DOES matter. Plus, he shows very little crossover appeal. Sorry, but saying you won the Dems in WI doesn't quite answwer the question of what you'd do in the general. He's winning the "choir" ballot but we need more than that. The "choir" is gonna vote Dem (hopefully!)no matter who the nom is.

3) Vote/support Edwards which is where I am now because, once again, the tactical and the heart do converge. I've always liked JE and think he expresses his message beautifully. I watch him speak and contrast it with both Kerry and Bush and think he would mop up the floor in a one-on-one. He's got the potential to get a lot of crossover, which WI proved. And, in his own way, he's just as tough as Dean.

So, that's where I'm at now. I'm hoping the good, good Doctor will drop and toss support, in some way, to Edwards. If Dean supporters really want to make a difference, I think they need to stop encouraging him to stay in any longer. The story is already not about Dean, but about Dean's "failure" and "fall." A string of defeats on Super Tuesday will only reinforce this. And, the REAL legacy of the Dean campaign will be totally overshadowed and forgotten. Dean has already changed the other candidates, has energized the party, and really laid the groundwork for a Democratic renaissance in the country. I don't want that to get lost.

eileen from OH

[ibegurpard]

1. By the time my primary rolls around it will almost certainly

be a done deal. So I have no problem with voting for Howard anyway. As for the GE, at this time I cannot see myself pulling the lever for Kerry but I might be convinced to do it for Edwards.

[dansolo]

2. And Edwards as the head of the Democratic Party

Is more likely to utilize Dean in a real manner. Kerry will basically keep the power structure of the Democratic Party intact. I think that Edwards would be far more appreciative of Dean than Kerry, especially if Dean chooses to change his focus, and work towards the Congressional races. All Kerry wants is our money and our votes. He will get neither from me.

[Ninga]

3. I am from NEOhio and will wait to hear what Howard

Has to say today and in the next few days.

If his plan is to work to form a new more progressive group, then I will hang in with him and vote for him 3/2.

We are at a cross road in our political history. I am a registered
Dem. and am willing to sign on to a new movement.

Change will not happen without risk.

If the Dean supporters stay strong and support his movement, it will beome the thorn in the side of the DNC/DLC.

The party leaders are counting on the Dean movment to just drift off into the sunset.

Ain't gonna happen.

[NoPasaran]

4. They tore my heart out

and stomped that sucker flat.

Come November I'll vote for the nominee. But I just cannot bring myself to vote for anybody who voted for the IWR in the primary.

I hope DFA can transform itself into a lasting force for real political change.