General Discussion

Whiskeytide

(4,649 posts)

13. In a perfect (voting) world you would be...

Wed Oct 8, 2014, 09:11 AM

Oct 2014

...correct in looking at it that way. But the stakes are too high in the real world. Any progressive that votes for a third party candidate that can't realistically win is effectively casting a vote that HELPS the republican win. Someone who doesn't vote at all is doing the same. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT IT. Its easy to say that the less than ideal Dem had it coming, but the damage republican control can do - in a very short time - hurts a lot of people that don't have it coming, and helps to further solidify continued republican control (think redistricting, SCOTUS, and just general obstructionism). Maybe, one day, it will be possible to cast a 3rd party vote that matters. But for now, I think it's short sighted to do so.

Realistically, a very left candidate can only count on about 20% to maybe 25% of the vote from the left base (about the same for a very conservative candidate and the right base). To win, they all have to try and reach those middle ground voters. It's just the way it is.

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Highlight:

The top-ten reasons not to vote Republican in the midterms [View all] echochamberlain Oct 2014 OP

11. They're assholes. Scuba Oct 2014 #1

They're not qualified to do their job.... AlbertCat Oct 2014 #2

The only time they "get" the Constitution, joshdawg Oct 2014 #4

My reason: very ugly inside and/or batshit. merrily Oct 2014 #3

At least batshit serves useful purposes. Initech Oct 2014 #22

Not when a human is batshit, it doesn't. merrily Oct 2014 #24

Excellent OP. Thanks, that's a lot there. freshwest Oct 2014 #5

Are massive amounts of DUers Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #6

No, but some aren't voting for Dems (or at all). riqster Oct 2014 #10

Actually, that is not mathmatically the same as voting for "Repubes." Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #11

No, entitlement is not the issue. Math is. riqster Oct 2014 #12

In a perfect (voting) world you would be... Whiskeytide Oct 2014 #13

The "vote for our candidate Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #14

But where else will you look? Whiskeytide Oct 2014 #15

Of course you see it that way. Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #17

par·ti·san ... Whiskeytide Oct 2014 #18

Your entire screed Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #19

By TP, I meant only "Third Party", not Tea Party... Whiskeytide Oct 2014 #20

Being a partisan is a bad thing now? YoungDemCA Oct 2014 #23

The "pejorative" designtion is yours, Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #25

You're really only making excuses Cary Oct 2014 #26

No idea what that means. Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #28

Empirical evidence is a source of knowledge acquired by means of observation or experimentation. Cary Oct 2014 #30

Condescention aside, Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #31

So be accountable Cary Oct 2014 #32

What am I not "owning?" Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #33

Several Posters Expressed to You the Reality of Your Principle Cary Oct 2014 #34

And they were all the different versions of Le Taz Hot Oct 2014 #35

Breatbe Cary Oct 2014 #37

They are generally willfully ignorant & not qualified to govern. CaptainTruth Oct 2014 #7

K&R ReRe Oct 2014 #8

Sociopaths for sure. Cary Oct 2014 #27

Good list. Welcome to DU! catbyte Oct 2014 #9

People need 10 reasons? I seem to only need one. n/t dilby Oct 2014 #16

Good Point. different equation Oct 2014 #36

They do nothing, take too much time off, and call us "lazy moochers". Initech Oct 2014 #21

only10? MFM008 Oct 2014 #29