For whom will you vote in the 2012 presidential election: Obama or the Republican Nominee

[jefferson_dem]

Poll question: For whom will you vote in the 2012 presidential election: Obama or the Republican Nominee

Since voters will have only two viable electoral options on the presidential ballot in 2012, which one will you select?

Your choices: Obama or the Republican nominee.

[COLGATE4]

1. I may not vote at all. Fuck it.

[jefferson_dem]

2. Sorry to hear that.

I hope you do. Hang in there.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

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[Creative]

96. Don't vote--don't bitch.

[golfguru]

139. I may be with you...

I did not vote in 2010, over the corporatist HCR bill.

All depends on who the repugs nominate. If it is Palin, I will hold my
nose and vote for Obama.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

3. False choice.

A) There is no guarantee that Obama will be the 2012 nominee. Likely, but not guaranteed.
B) There will be more than just two choices in a presidential campaign.
C) There is even the option to not vote at all.

You poll is fundamentally flawed.

[jefferson_dem]

7. Yes, I know.

The only legit stipulation I didn't include (actually, I did initially but edited out) is the question about whether Obama will run again or not. That's a virtual given. I would say it's 99.9% likely.

This poll is for voters who will be casting ballots for *viable* electoral options. Once a third party candidate emerges and polls at 5% +, I'll include them in a poll. For now, that's not happening.

[Exilednight]

112. By your methods, you better add Bloomberg. He polled ............

at 11%.

Further, in a hypothetical match-up against Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, Bloomberg pulled in a small 11% (Obama got 44% and Romney got 38%).

http://gothamist.com/2010/11/29/poll_pushes_bloombergs_bad_presiden.php

[Dinger]

44. It Sure Is

Definitely a flawed poll

[Aramchek]

48. Obama is the guaranteed nominee.

There will only be 2 real choices.

If you don't vote, then you might as well vote Repuke. Either way, they'll appreciate your help.

[swilton]

126. +1

I intend to vote for a candidate to the left of Obama in the primary (if there is one - at this point it looks likely based upon Obama Administrations policies/behavior even though no primary challenger has stepped forward) and in the general election. I'll be voting for a third party candidate if a progressive Democratic Party member does not run against the Republican Party candidate/(s).

[obxhead]

4. There will be other options available to us.

3rd party, write in, or simply cast no vote.

Some may exercise those options.

[jaxx]

8. Ah so the I'm not voting for Obama and will vote 3rd party of write in

is the 15%'s way to go? Interesting. Hadn't you all best be getting that 3rd party going someplace eise?

[jefferson_dem]

10. I'm really not interested in entertaining the "i'm voting third party" spoilers...

Didn't we Dems learn our lesson in 2000? Hellooo...

[jaxx]

17. Some people never learn, they just gripe.

Threaten to take their football and go home. I'm saying take it and go.

[CakeGrrl]

11. Agreed. Since several hundred people co-signed to a post saying

"You've lost my vote" to Obama by recommending the post, why are they wasting their time here? They should go find a place to organize for their challenger.

[MH1]

116. [phone]

[Autumn]

5. I'm think I will sign my ballot and let

someone else fill it out. If I can find someone who feels they have any trust in this current crop of politicians .:shrug:

[VMI Dem]

6. Neither.

[jaxx]

9. I'll vote Obama, I'm a Democrat.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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[jefferson_dem]

31. Your sickening Nazi reference just got deleted...

Rightly so.

Now you're using "good german" as an insult. Will you keep digging?

[jaxx]

35. I could never figure out why people used the nazi bit to make their point.

It's really an inane attempt to smear the other person. Sort of par for the course from the 15%.

[DFab420]

52. Such a stupid comment

Seriously. Does you no good to speak like a silly person.

Voting along party lines is something that's been done in this country since the formation of the two parties, or three parties, back when the Whigs were around. Comparing any vote for the Democratic Party to that of the "good germans" is inane and silly.

[Name removed]

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[ladjf]

13. I would vote for Obama with very little hope that he would help us

any more than he did the first time. nt

[KansasVoter]

15. What a stupid and worthless poll......

We want Obama LESS like the GOP, not more!

[Bettie]

16. I will vote for Obama, regardless of how disillusioned I may be

And I admit to being disillusioned.

I really believed that having the Senate, house, and White House would make a difference.

It has to some extent. I recognize that there have been accomplishments, but I also regret that there seem to have been opportunities squandered or simply ignored.

It seems that President Obama is more interested in getting the Republicans to "like" him than any other agenda. They will never work with him and he has to know that by now, he's not a stupid man.

I will still vote...I see Obama as a step, hopefully, one of many.

(Edited to spell check)

[tweeternik]

30. Amen, Bettie! nt

[tallahasseedem]

121. Awesome post Bettie...

I completely agree.

[BeyondGeography]

18. Obama is winning, but turnout is low

[Mass]

19. This question is obvious. Does that mean he should not be criticized?

[Clio the Leo]

22. Criticism outside the bounds of reason are a waste of time.

Especially when Congress, the real culprit, gets off scott free.

[Mass]

24. Outside of the bounds of reason can vary depending of the person.

Some have a very low threshold. Other a very high one.

[BzaDem]

56. Enabling Republicans in the general election is outside the bounds of reason for people who claim to

be progressive.

Sure, you can do it, but that means you're basically just like those on the right who similarly enable Republican candidates in the general election.

[jefferson_dem]

28. No way!

Constructive criticism is always appreciated. Carry on! :)

[truckin]

20. If the tax cuts for the wealthy are extended, hopefully there will be

a credible primary candidate to vote for, which I will do. But if it comes down to Obama or a Republican, which is very likely, then of course, Obama.

[Clio the Leo]

21. Do you expect one to materialize out of thin air?

Obama began his Presidential run in what would be the equivalent of February of next year .... if you haven't found a primary candidate now, there isn't one.

Forget the Kool Aid, we all need to start drinking some Buck Up juice.

[droidamus2]

23. Chose Obama but

What my actual vote is 'I will not be voting for the Republican candidate'. If a viable truly progressive candidate (yes I know how can we really know they are a 'true' progressive?) presents themselves I would be hard pressed to vote for Obama unless he shows some backbone and at least works with the left. The one thing I don't get about Obama is he ran on a platform of change. Change from what? I would think change from what the Republicans had been doing to this country for 8 years. If that's the kind of change we voted for then wouldn't it have made more sense for Obama, if you see him as a centrist, to work with the left rather than try to compromise with the people that had already screwed us for 8 years. To answer my own question, I think Obama thought the 'change' we wanted was to a 'kinder gentler Washington' meaning less partisan bickering and more cooperation in dealing with this countries problems. Though I think most of us would like to see that come about I also think most of us realize with the current state of the Republican party it is not going to happen any time soon. I for one voted for Obama because I thought he would pull back dramatically from the right-wing direction the country had taken. Instead he wants to make baby steps and not rock the boat too much and even worse actually placate the right in almost everything he does. I think one thing Obama could do, and yes it would be somewhat for show, is to pick 2 or 3 strong progressive positions, ending DADT even if by some kind of Presidential action, and fight for them to the bitter end win, lose or draw I think he would at least get us liberals and progressive to reconsider our objections to his other compromises. Unfortunately I don't see it happening but again I will never vote for another Republican in my lifetime.

[jefferson_dem]

25. Points well taken.

Thanks.

[Tatiana]

27. The Democrat - whoever he or she may be. n/t

[Milo_Bloom]

29. Other.

[jefferson_dem]

32. At present, there are no "other" viable options.

Sorry.

[Name removed]

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[Milo_Bloom]

51. Still not voting for Obama or whatever wacko the GOP puts up.

[William769]

33. I will do what I did in the last Presidential election.

Write in a name of the person I want to vote for.

[young but wise]

34. Oh, so you really didn't vote.

[William769]

37. I voted. Thats the good thing about our system.

We don't have to vote with one mind like sheeple.

[BzaDem]

57. The bad thing about our system is that it lets easily manipulated people think they're voting when

they actually aren't.

[William769]

62. No matter how you try to make a play on words.

It's really simple, my vote is my vote and I will do with it as I please. If you cannot understand that then this discussion is over.

P.S. Thank God Life, liberty and the pursuit of my vote lives on.

[BzaDem]

66. Of course you can enable Republicans as much as you please.

Though there isn't much of meaningful distinction between voting-booth-Republican-enablers on the left and voting-booth-Republican-enablers on the right.

[William769]

68. Thanks for trying to use a meme that does't fly it's getting really old.

"Republican enablers on the left" talk to President Obama about that one.

[BzaDem]

69. It's not really a meme. If you have a choice of the R-D margin being X or X-1, and you choose X,

that's enabling Republicans by definition.

[Milo_Bloom]

86. So the republicans who vote libertarian are enabling democrats?

[BzaDem]

103. Absolutely. n/t

[Name removed]

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[Milo_Bloom]

132. There are other reasons to vote 3rd party.

[stevenleser]

127. Writing in candidates names is generally dumb, but exponentially more so in a Presidential contest

in the US.

The electoral college system makes it impossible for a third party candidate to win. Even a third party vote is meaningless. Writing in a name is like not voting. You know your vote has zero impact other than the fact that if the worst possible of the two major candidates wins, you could have helped the other one.

It would make much more sense and be much more intellectually honest for those interested in third party and write in votes to spend time working for groups who are trying to eliminate the electoral college system and things like instant runoff voting and forget about voting entirely.

[jaxx]

36. You mean a Democrat didn't vote for the Democratic nominee?

Wow. Unfreakinbelievable.

[William769]

38. WOW!

You don't like how I vote? Oh well.

[jaxx]

42. Well seeing how this is the Democratic Underground and all.......

[William769]

43. As if you would care, the person I voted for was a Democrat.

One worthy of my vote.

[jaxx]

46. If he was the Democratic nominee his name would have been

printed on the ticket. Thanks for pointing out that this 'outrage' about Obama was premeditated.

[William769]

55. Appearently you need a civics lesson on how we vote in America.

As for the rest of your post, it's not "premeditated", it's been there since the primary and as we now can see with good reason.

[BzaDem]

58. Says the person who doesn't actually understand why we have elections.

The purpose of elections is actually to elect a candidate to govern (not to "send a message" or "vote your conscious"). To pick a candidate that will actually govern. A candidate that has no chance of winning has no chance of governing.

We really need to bring civics education back to schools.

[William769]

60. If you don't like how I voted then change the laws for voting.

"We really need to bring civics education back to schools." You are absolutely correct.

[BzaDem]

61. Oh the laws are luckily moving in the right direction. Starting in 2012, the only people on

the ballot in California will be the 2 who finish first and second in an all-party primary held a few weeks earlier. That's 1/8 of the population that will have that ballot (along with Washington state and Louisiana). So far so good.

[Milo_Bloom]

108. You show a remarkable lack of understanding of prop 14.

Hardly surprising.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[jefferson_dem]

77. Hey William!

Welcome Back. :hi:

[William769]

78. Thanks. Good to see you too.

Hope all is well with you.

[polichick]

39. You don't know that voters will have only two viable options...

And you don't know if Obama will be the Dem on the ticket.

[Name removed]

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[Vinca]

50. I will vote for the Democratic candidate.

[MadBadger]

53. At least One Person should have a tombstone on their way

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

54. I won't check the box next to Obama's name ...

I'll just check the "All Democrats" box and be done with it. Then get some donuts and coffee.

(Like any of us will check "Palin/Beck")

:hi:

[BzaDem]

59. What's the difference between checking "Palin/Beck" and enabling Palin/Beck by not checking the D?

[William769]

79. Theres that meme again.

Sheesh. :eyes:

[stevenleser]

128. Sometimes the truth hurts.

:eyes:

[rug]

63. I don't vote for Republicans or Republican abettors. That may preclude voting.

[BzaDem]

67. Not voting Democratic by definition makes one a Republican abettor.

One has a choice: they could select the R-D margin to be X or X-1. If they choose X (by not voting for the Democrat), that's enabling Republicans by definition.

[William769]

80. Edited.

Your not worth it.

[BzaDem]

81. Not sure, though if you think something you say is going to get me to stop posting the truth

then good luck with that.

:hi:

[rug]

90. I'm more interested in abetting repubblicans while in office.

How one governs is more important than how one campaigns.

There's still 23 months to turn it around.

[jefferson_dem]

76. We may just get a repeal of DADT in the next few weeks, thanks to Obama and the Dem Congress.

Abet that.

[rug]

91. Get back to me on January 3rd.

[Pisces]

64. I will be voting for Obama and talking about it in a loud voice. Proud Obama voter.

[JoePhilly]

72. +100

[jefferson_dem]

75. Boo-yah!

Why is this even a question ... here on the *Democratic* Underground?

[Phx_Dem]

118. +100000!

[political_Dem]

65. I'm voting for Mr. Obama as a loyal Democrat.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

70. Other:

The first candidate who calls for the investigation and prosecution of BushCo for war crimes gets my vote next time.

It would be nice of that were Obama, but ....

[JoePhilly]

73. Then you will be sitting out every Presidential election for the rest fo your life.

[BzaDem]

83. +1.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

87. There are other candidates -

that will be brave enough to make the call. I will support them.

[JoePhilly]

143. Name one.

[jefferson_dem]

74. Well, that won't be Obama...

So go ahead and declare yourself a non-voter or a third party voter now.

Shame.

[subterranean]

71. Ask me in 2012.

All I can say at this point is that I won't vote for the Republican.

[saras]

82. Depends...

If the race is completely bogus (i.e. massive *internal* vote fraud, voting machines acting up), I won't vote. (I've never seen any significant evidence for *external* - i.e. conducted by voters and not officials - fraud except by reading history)

If it's a (probably bogus) close race between Obama and a Republican, I'll hold my nose and vote for Obama.

Otherwise I'll vote for whatever third-party candidate best shares my values - and a primary political value of mine is dismantling the two-party system in favor of a proportional representation system.

[last_texas_dem]

84. Since when does "viable" mean anything?

Due to the Electoral College and the fact that I live in Texas, I have only *one* viable option, and I sure as hell won't be voting for Palin or whatever nut the 'pugs put forth.

[totodeinhere]

85. I will vote for the Democratic nominee. And if that turns out to be someone other than Obama, that's

fine with me as long as they are a bona fide progressive who can win.

[downeyr]

88. I'm sorry but I really don't see the sense in this thread.

I am never convinced that there are only two answers to a problem, or only black and white to choose from. There are always grey areas. So eliminating the possibility of a third party vote, to me, is akin to not accepting the fact that there are grey areas in life. Why not just put it up as an option? Even if you don't give a third party option, I still get to exercise my option to write-in vote--and in the spirit of freedom of choice, I vote Dennis Kucinich.

[jefferson_dem]

94. In terms of policy making, negotiation, etc, there may be areas of gray.

Elections are a win or lose proposition. The rules are such that the candidate with a majority of electoral votes is selected president. I go on record saying that that will not EVER be a third party candidate or write in candidate. In fact, no third party candidate has even won any electoral votes at all since 1968. So...it's time to pick a side. While writing in Kooch may be way cool, either Obama (provided he decides to run again) or some rascally repug will be POTUS in 2013. Deal with it.

[BlueIris]

89. I won't be voting Republican. Ever.

But I also won't be voting for Barack Obama again. Save your flames, it's a done deal.

[jefferson_dem]

92. No flames...

If enabling masquerading as principle gets you through the night, so be it.

Your post is kind of funny ironic though, given the words in the comment on your profile. Obama and Kerry have been absolutely synchronous in terms of their policy positions.

[BzaDem]

114. Not sure why you see a difference between voting for a Republican and enabling a Republican victory.

[bigwillq]

93. Right now

Third-party. Yes, that person won't be viable, and that's a problem. The two-party system is broken. We need more options.
Will never vote for the repuke. But won't be voting for Obama again at this point.

[Donnachaidh]

95. nice push poll

:eyes:

[polichick]

100. No kidding - you have to break DU rules to go with the other guy. nt

[stevenleser]

129. That is not a push poll. I suggest you look up the meaning of the term. n/t

[dorkulon]

97. Nader.

Or his equivalent.

[Blue_In_AK]

98. I'm not too pleased with the choices.

I would never vote for the Republican, but Obama leaves a lot to be desired.

[mstinamotorcity]

99. This is DU

no repugs for me!!!!!!!!

[ZombieHorde]

101. Ha! Epic poll. nt

[louslobbs]

102. The lesser of two evils

I will vote for the lesser of two evils. We have already seen what the most evil, the Republicons can do even in the minority, just imagine them having all the power once more to gerrymander, appoint judges and destroy needed social programs while looking for the next war to enrich the already rich and powerful at the expense of what is left of the rest of us. The lesser of two evils, though sad, is the only way to go......unless of course you feel like being jailed or taken to a chemical shower or oven one day for not being a Christian in the new Rebpulicon, FOX GOP Noise, Corporate ruled nation. Yes, most Dems are on the take as well, but at least most Dems are not mentally ill wack jobs who have little or no compassion for people. The Republicons seem to be pure evil with an agenda that only considers power and money. If there is a God, may God help us all.

LouSlobbs

[Joe Bacon]

105. I will vote for the evil of two lessers...

I learned my lesson the hard way when I voted for Anderson in 1980. I will have to vote for Obama, but I won't contribute a penny to him nor bust my ass for him like I did in 2008!

[beforeyoureyes]

106. It is a false choice. Primary challenger could emerge. Third Party

Or not vote

Even if you don't like those options, they are real.

[BzaDem]

109. They just enable the Republican victory. You may as well vote "Republican" in the poll. n/t

[marlakay]

107. crazy question

even a weak dem is better than any republican...and if we try to primary him it will split the party...so no choice.

[jillan]

110. I'll vote for him, but volunteer? Hard to say.

[awoke_in_2003]

111. Presented with these options...

Obama, of course. It will be a bit different than the last time I voted for him, however. I grew up believing that there was no way an african american could ever be president of the US. This country was too fucking backwards for that kind of thing. In 2008. I literally choked up with pride when I got to vote for this man. My vote may not have counted for much, living in Texas- but I still felt a great sense of pride that I did vote for him- I literally wiped tears from my eyes. I thought "America has changed. Things will get better". Well, America got worse- the latent racism came to the forefront, but on a sad note the one I thought would help us get past it fell to the influence of those that perpetuate the hate. Pres. Obama- they do not like you- they never will, no matter how hard to try to make them happy.

[jefferson_dem]

113. Good post.

Thanks.

[Luciferous]

115. Neither.

[Phx_Dem]

117. So I have to ask . . . why are the 5 Republican voters posting on DU?

Mods?

[Sirveri]

119. I'll vote Republican. I want the country to burn to the ground.

Maybe after the crash we can drag all those bankers into the street where they belong and get the country back on track. It'll be painful, and a lot of people will die, but if that's what it takes then that's what it takes.

[BzaDem]

131. Why don't you think that the country won't move even FURTHER right after your mythical "crash?"

[Sirveri]

147. The last big crash was the great depression. So no.

[ProudDad]

120. NEITHER!

Fucking stupid flame bait POS poll!

There ARE usually other candidates on the ballot!

[jefferson_dem]

134. "There ARE usually other candidates on the ballot!"

None that matter... or can win, at least. This poll is for voters who will be casting ballots for viable candidates, not wasting votes on third party candidates or write-in candidates.

[mitchtv]

122. what a depressing choice

I'll defer until I'm sure there is no viable alternative to a repuke or a blue dog president

[ScreamingMeemie]

123. If this keeps up, I'll be supporting, spending money on, and campaigning

for a third option. A third option that, with support, will become extremely viable. What people think of that? I really don't give a shit anymore. It's my conscience.

[Hawaii Hiker]

124. I'll vote for Obama in 2012, but unlikely I'll donate to his campaign unless

he starts fighting for SOME progessive causes, and quit trying to be the f-ing republicans buddy...

[Beacool]

125. Those are the only two choices?

What a pity......

;(

[BzaDem]

130. Yes. Only two candidates in any Presidential election who might actually become President. n/t

[Union Scribe]

133. Well thank goodness we had this poll and needn't bother with an election season.

[BzaDem]

136. Election season is for picking between the two parties. Not for imagining a fantasy world in which

there is a third viable alternative.

[Union Scribe]

137. Yes, we must accept and obey. See you in line.

[BzaDem]

138. You act as if the obvious truth somehow becomes not true just because you don't "accept it." n/t

[AndrewP]

141. Please follow the corporate line and obey!

Thank you!


OBEY!!!!

[libmom74]

135. other

[Caretha]

140. In your poll

I voted for the Republican nominee. I will not be hot boxed. Anytime someone is stupid enough to box me in a corner, I'll always f*ck with their assine poll.

PS May I suggest anyone else who thinks this poll is assine to vote Republican in the poll.

[JoePhilly]

144. That'll show him!!!

yawn.

[Raine]

142. None of the above

I don't have to vote at all. I will no longer vote for the lesser of two evils. If anyone wants my vote they better give me a damn good reason to get out and vote for them not just pretty words.

Edit: added one word

[Crunchy Frog]

145. I may not vote. n/t

[quakerboy]

146. There will be more than 2 bubbles I can fill

And I do not yet know who I will vote for in the primary or the general. I have decided to reduce it to math. I am in the process of putting together a list of the issues that I care about, and on each issue what would be a +, neutral, or -. The president is the president. If he is neutral or better I will vote for him. If he is not, I will not. If he is enough in the positive I will be out on the streets for him. If he is enough in the negative, I will be out in the streets for an opponent.

[Zenlitened]

148. .