There is the real possibility certainty that we will have a presidential race this year in which I don't think either of the candidates would be especially good for the country. If that happens to you, what's your solution?
1. Vote for the least objectionable candidate, on the theory that there must be a redeeming quality lurking somewhere, such as which judicial candidates might be appointed.
2. Sit this one out and refuse to be responsible in any way for the harm that is sure to come to the country.
I can see pros and cons for both those choices. I suppose a third choice would be to to opt for a write-in candidate, but, though that might make us feel good about ourselves, it's really the same thing as not voting.
Comments
I tend to vote my heart in the primary and then vote with my head in the general election. Voting with my head usually means voting for the lesser of evils.
But, consider the choices in the general election in my voting lifetime:
92: Bush I/Clinton/Perot
96: Clinton/Dole/Perot* (Perot wasn't nearly as legitimate a choice in '92 as he seemed to be in '96).
00: Bush II/Gore
04: Bush II/Kerry
So, really, two Bushes, Clinton, Gore, and Kerry. GenX hasn't really gotten a chance to consider very inspiring politicians.
I still like my default choice in this situation - if we don't clear a threshold percentage of voters (meaning many of the people didn't like their choices and sat it out, ...) I think we should scrap the election and start over - with the one rule that the 2 candidates who just ran can't compete in the next round. Eventually, we might get somewhere - but the bad new is that the current resident of the white house would have to stay till the process was over. Talk about the solution causing another problem, ...
As its beginning to look like a lesser of two evils choice once again as it has been whittled down to style and theatre instead of substance and issues, for the first time I will seriously consider the third party route - high likelihood Paul or Bloomburg will run third. I am tired of these media annointed candidtates and tow wings of the same bird parties -will vote my conscience for a change.
In order to accept the premise of this post I would have to assume that Leo is being honest about his supposed dislike for the current candidates. It's a joke of course, he'll fall into line just like the good little Bushie I know he secretly is.