General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Had An Interesting Conversation Late Last Night ... About The Democratic Party... [View all]merrily
(45,251 posts)Didn't make me vote for Reagan, though it was clear he'd win, especially the second time. Ditto Bush the second time. I never thought there was no point voting for a Democrat who was sure to lose, did you?
Voting Green does not say nothing at all nor can it be spun into a positive statement about the right. Staying home, on the other hand, can easily be spun as pro-right and usually is. As someone who does not mind people voting to express a view that the Democratic Party has gone too far right I have less problem with Green voters than with those who stay home.
Besides, the Presidential is far from the only election. Greens do win some smaller contests, like school board and city council. Even Socialists win some of those. That is how the Libertarians started winning. Granted, a lot of big money often gets behind Libertarians, while neither Greens nor Socialists can say the same. But newer parties have to start somewhere and, in addition to winning smaller elections, Greens/Nader have won a lot of battles over ballot access. And have international affiliation.