Is voting for the "Lesser of Two Evils" an endorsement of evil?

[Junkdrawer]

The talking point today seems to be:

"Obama said he was going to do this during the campaign - you voted for him - so STFU"

Yeah, and I remember it was Obama or Bomb-Bomb-Bomb-Iran McCain with "God made animals out of meat" Palin in the wings.

So, at just what point does going for the clear lesser of two evils become an endorsement of evil?

[mmonk]

1. Voting the lesser of two evils is an attempt at self preservation.

So no, it isn't an endorsement of evil. It's damage control.

[barbtries]

2. i thought the choice was

bad, or worse. i make no apologies.

but i will confess one thing. i've done the same (if only in my mind, or on a message board) to a lot of people who voted for bush - i mean, "don't tell me about what a dick he is, you voted for him." well, this time I voted for him.

it sucks because you know whoever you vote for it's going to be a politician. whoever it is, is going to act like a politician. will be a politician. some suck less than others. bad, or worse.

[sfwriter]

3. Yup...

I was going to vote Cynthia McK but Palin won my Obama vote.

[Junkdrawer]

4. I think this question is going to loom larger and larger in the coming years....

I see:

--- the Democratic Party splitting into two

--- the rise of Third Parties

--- perhaps even boycotted elections

And these are things that usually precede social unrest.

Bad Juju

[eleny]

5. Seems like some vote every four years for a president and then walk away

Once someone gets elected it's important to watch and voice what we feel about their policies. I never expect to agree with everything my elected reps do. Shutting the fuck up is never an option.

Voting for the lesser of two evils is the reality we're often faced with. Then the vigilance and action begins. I've leaned on my rep in the House and watched him change his position. Demanding that we shut up is ignorant.

[Frances]

6. I remember young people in California

saying that they refused to vote for Pat Brown for Governor just because he was the lesser of 2 evils. So, Ronald Reagan defeated Pat Brown and went on to become President with Bush I as his vice-president, which enabled Bush II to become President.

I hold the people who refused to vote for Pat Brown responsible for the Bush II administration and its evils.

[Echo In Light]

7. Which is why I tend to vote indie/Green in pres elections, & prog Dems locally

[dmallind]

8. Works pretty well in reducing the level of evil actually. NT

[mitchum]

9. If not an endorsement, it is certainly an enabling

[MNDemNY]

10. yup.

[Junkdrawer]

11. Kick

:kick:

[eleny]

12. Do you remember when Howard Zinn was interviewed by Seder and Garofalo on AAR?

It was during the 2004 presidential race. They asked him why he would vote for John Kerry. He thoughtfully replied that with John Kerry we have a little ledge to stand on. With Bush we have nothing.

I've been thinking about that position in terms of my vote for Obama. Just a little ledge to stand on. With McCain we would have had nothing.

This thread seemed like a place to share that sentiment.