My opinion on voting Democratic this election.

[johnaries]

Although quite Liberal and proud of it, I am a registered Independent because I feel it is important to vote for the candidate and not the party in normal circumstances.

However, the current circumstances are hardly "normal".

In the current circumstances, with one party marching in lockstep having control over all three branches, our government no longer has checks and balances.

It is imperative that Democrats take back control of at least one house of Congress. The only way to do this is to vote for a Democrat, no matter who the candidate is - yes, even Lieberman.

Once some checks and balances have been restored, then I will go back to voting for the candidate. After all, I remember back in the "old days" (pre-Newt) that some Republicans were more liberal than their Democratic counterparts.

Until that happens, I am going to vote a straight Democratic ticket - even if it's a yellow dog!

[blue cat]

1. I agree

It's straight ticket for me until things get better, but I fear that it won't with Diebold.

[corkhead]

18. watch out for DINOs

[skipos]

2. I agree. nt

[RufusEarl]

3. Voting!

Well, voting steight party line can be problemmatic as well. I'll forcast some Dems running especitly in house races that are nothing more then DINO's, and probly get back door funding from the RNC.

I suggest you research the canidate and their record before voting a stright party line vote, it's happened here in Texas allot.

[johnaries]

8. Normally, I couldn't agree with you more!

But as I said, Dems (good or bad) can't do ANYTHING until they take back the House and/so Senate. Right now, the Repukes are running roughshod over them and they can't stop it. Right now, what we need are numbers. I hate it, but that's the current reality as I see it.

Once the Dems regain some effectiveness, then they can clean house.

[seabeyond]

4. i am an independent too. and have felt that way since clintons

second term when repugs went after him for a blow job. this is why i get really bothered with dems that cant appreciate their own people, what they are doing, the good that they do . i am supporting dems harder than some of the posts i see on this board by registered dems

[mtnsnake]

5. Democrats straight down the line in 2006. 2008 depends on

whether they muster up an impeachment attempt or not.

[I Have A Dream]

6. When I first registered to vote, I registered without a party because...

this is what my family did. (it was a family loyalty.) I was then and still am very liberal, and it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn't being true to myself by continuing with this loyalty to my family; I could be a Democrat and still vote for whomever I wanted to vote. However, becoming a Democrat allowed me to make a conscious statement as to where I strongly stood on most of the issues.

In my family, it was believed that not being either a Democrat or Republican meant that you were more open-minded and weren't a sheep. I came to see that this isn't the case, at least for me. I still respect people who feel that way because I think that their intentions are good, but I no longer believe it.

One thing that I never thought that I'd do is end up voting the straight Democratic ticket, but after the 2000 election, I vowed that I would never vote for a Republican again. It would take quite a bit for me to change my mind given the current state of the Republican party. Even if a particular Republican was a good person, it would put power into the entire Republican party, which I personally think, as a party, is extremely morally deficient.

[Cats Against Frist]

7. I agree

If for no other reason than all Americans, Republican or Democrat, should be scared shitless of one-party rule.

[sandnsea]

9. A yellow dog votes straight Democratic

Unless some party comes along with some common sense, I'll always be a yellow dog. It's the only time the country progresses and the only time the world has a chance for peace.

[johnaries]

14. Thanks for getting my reference!

:thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

10. You are so right !

Most here don't realize we have to take back the Congress before we can take back our country :patriot:

[jwirr]

11. Thank you. We cannot afford to be divided this time.

[johnaries]

12. Let me add that I strongly encourage Greens and other 3rd party

voters to also Democratic. If we weren't under the current crisis, I would say "always vote your heart". Even if there is no chance your candidate can win, it's important for the nation to know where you and others like you stand.

But our nation is in a crisis. Please, I beg you, vote Democratic this time. Once the crisis is over, then vote for whomever you like best and best represents your interest.

But right now, voting anything but Democratic is NOT in your best interest.

[phusion]

13. Yes you're right

But it won't matter if we don't fix the voting machines!

[corkhead]

15. This sounds crazy, but I think by nature, Democrats ARE independents

Repukes are mob mentality sheeple

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. I'll be voting issues, not party or politician.

As a registered Democrat since 1965, I've about worn my nose out voting for the "lesser of two evils" of what amounts to a one party state run by fatcats and their well paid political lapdogs.

[Mich Otter]

17. Even a few like Lieberman can be overcome by a Democratic majority.

When the Democrats get back in the majority, the right-wing Democrats like Lieberman will be outnumbered within the party. We can get Congress leaning back towards the left.

[niallmac]

19. ...even Lieberman? I don't live in Connecticut thank you Zeus.

I agree with you it is Yellow Dog time. I am so glad I don't have to go to room 101 and prove it by consorting with Lieberman rats.

[pat_k]

20. Fight DINO's with PRIMARY Challengers -- then fight to elect. .

. . whoever wins!

Fight Leiberman by doing everything you can to see that Ned Lamont runs and wins the primary.

[KingFlorez]

21. The people always screaming about the DLC need to listen to this

[Pastiche423]

22. Why?

Voting DLC is the same as voting repug lite.

I am an Independent also. That is, after being in the Democratic Party for thirty two years.

Ain't no way I'm voting for a DCLer.

[KingFlorez]

24. Because it does us no good

Any Democrat you vote for will help make Pelosi Speaker or Reid majority leader. A DLC Democrat is better than a Bush-supporting Republican.

[Pastiche423]

25. No

A DLC Dem is the same as a repug.

Go to: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

Scroll down to Sign up for MEGAVOTE.

Then compare the votes of Dems w/the votes of DLCers

DLCers = Corporations over We, the People.

[MadisonProgressive]

26. So if it's a DLCer vs. a right-wing republican

you'll vote for the republican? That's just sick.

[Pastiche423]

28. Where the hell did I say that?

In 1972, I voted for the 1st time. Since then I have never voted for a repug. Furthermore, I will never vote for a repug as long as I live.

Hence, I will never vote for a DLCer.

[MadisonProgressive]

29. So between a DLCer and a republican

what would you do? Not vote?

[Pastiche423]

33. Either not vote for either candidate, or vote third party

You see, my vote is scared to me. I vote for a candidate that best reflects my own views on important issues.

Why in hell would I vote against my own interests?

[MadisonProgressive]

34. You don't get it. Carry on.

[Pastiche423]

37. What is the "IT" that I don't get?

[MadisonProgressive]

38. Given the following choices

1) vote for the DLCer
2) vote for the repug
3) don't vote at all

You would pick #3. That doesn't help us regain control.

It's very simple logic.

[Pastiche423]

40. If us = DLCers

then I am not a part of "us".

Why din't you list the fourth choice?

4. vote for a third party.

After voting in every presidential election in the last 34 years, I've had it w/the bullshit. I will no longer be a part of voting against my best liberal interests.

[MadisonProgressive]

41. What if there is no third party in the race?

What if the 3rd party candidate is polling at 2 percent and the others are 49/49?

I think you are being irresponsible, but that's your right.

BTW, us = those fighting the Bush Crime Family and its American Fascism

[Pastiche423]

43. Irresponsible?

For not wanting a one party nation?




Btw, if the DLC = us, then "we" will never beat the BFEE.

[MadisonProgressive]

44. Your logic is mind-boggling

[Pastiche423]

45. It may be mind boggling

to those who support the DLC, but not to those that adhere to the Democratic Party's principles.

[MadisonProgressive]

48. That's why you are missing the point here

I am anti-DLC, but I am even more anti-republican. It has to do with winning the majority back. I'm sorry you don't understand. Peace.

[Pastiche423]

49. How is voting for a DLCer winning?

What exactly is won?

There may be more "Dems" in congress, but when the DLCers vote w/the repugs, how does that help the left?

[MadisonProgressive]

52. The DLCers dont always vote w/the repugs

and with a majority congress they would be much more apt to be pressured to vote with the dems. If you can't figure that out, then this conversation is pointless. I'm done.

See post #50 for a much better explanation that I could ever give.

[KingFlorez]

39. Whatever

I don't have time to debate nonsense

[MadisonProgressive]

42. Don't worry - I have plenty of time for that!

[KingFlorez]

27. That's wrong

My point is a DLC Democrat will still vote for Pelosi as Speaker or Reid for majority leader. Once we have the majority things will be easier. Internal fighting is something that is not productive when so much is on the line.

[Pastiche423]

30. WTF good is a DLCer

when they vote repug???

As we have too often seen in the past five years, the Dem Party has not voted in unity. Or IOW, the party is split because of the DLCers.

[MadisonProgressive]

31. So you refuse to answer the question. Fine.

[Pastiche423]

35. What question?

[MadisonProgressive]

36. The one I asked you above - you already answered it

Sorry I responded to the wrong post.

[Laurab]

46. WTF good is a third party vote?

When a third party has no chance of winning? I admire the purity of thought, but this country is in a crisis caused by and continued by REPUBLICANS. They are evil, criminal and running this country in the ground. I just hope when you vote third party you aren't giving a vote to the repuke party.

This is not "voting as usual" - this country is going to hell, and the only way we have a chance is to get these assholes out of power. I've always been an registered Independent, up until * began destroying the country. I'll return to voting with purity if the country ever recovers from this administration.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

50. Fairly Obvious Answer To That Question

You do know how the concept of majority and minority work right? You know that even a democrat that votes with the republicans still counts toward OUR majority count right? You realize that almost all the horrible things going on in government right now can be traced to the repubs owning the presidency senate and house right? You know that if we take back control at all costs we can start to finally restore decency back to government right? You know that people on DU are generally here because we can't stand the fascism and corruption brought upon us right now and are here to fight however we can to rid ourselves of these fascist fucks right? You know the best way to do that is to make sure as many dems win seats in the 06 elections as possible right? You know that voting for third party is an exercise in futility right? You know that even DLC that votes repub is 100% better than a repub in every way when it comes to winning back control of congress right? I mean, you do know how all that works with majority and minority right? You know that by lobbying against the dems running or refusing to vote for them due to DLC you are just helping the repubs retain power and working against what all of us here on DU are fighting for right? You realize that the one and only true goal we should be focused on right now is picking up whatever seats we can at whatever costs to ensure we win back congress and finally regain some power and can hold some legitimate hearings right? You do know all this I hope. You do know that a Senator with a D, counts towards our majority count, and that in itself is why a DINO is better than a repub each time every time period no matter if you fuckin like it or not?


Take back congress in 06. Vote for every democrat you can, not because you agree with everything they stand for, but because collectively, state by state, overall, winning back congress is the only way to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. It is for the greater good. So you might have to cast a vote for someone you don't completely agree with. So fucking what. That vote could still help win that seat, which in turn collectively with all the other seats could help win control, which we can then use to restore checks, balances and integrity to government, which would now make that vote far more powerful than just having been for a DINO. Wake up. Every democrat running needs every DU'ers vote who can vote for them. Refusal to do so is in my opinion forsaking all that DU is about and working against us, period.

[trixie]

23. While I agree with your sentiment

Voting independent does nothing to help the situation. We need to get behind a party that has the chance of winning.

"Until that happens, I am going to vote a straight Democratic ticket - even if it's a yellow dog! "

Now you are talking!!!

[Maru Kitteh]

32. I'm there with you - registered Dem though I consider myself independent

I'm only a registered Dem because I must be to participate in primaries.

Democrats MUST regain some meaningful control. Our country is falling apart and breaking at the seams. I don't want to have to die overseas somewhere.

[jsamuel]

47. I understand, however if you want to change who the Democrat you are votin

g for is, then vote in the primaries and kick out the ones that you don't want running for Democrats.

[Douglas Carpenter]

51. 10 Progressive Caucus will be come Committee Chairs if Dems take the House

If the Democrats take the House this November10

10 members of the Progressive Caucus would become chairmen of committees

John Conyers becomes Chairman of the Judiciary Committee

Even a vote for a conservative Dem is a vote for Conyers and the 10

https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute

[MadisonProgressive]

53. Conyers as chairman of the Judiciary Committee!

Bushco's worst nightmare...