Should I vote Cobb in a safe red state?

[cheezus]

I voted for Nader in North Dakota in 2000 (I even tricked a swing state voter into gore with nadertrading), but there's no way I'd ever vote for that egotistical spoiler again. However, if ND is still polling Bush by a landslide come election time, I'm thinking of voting for the Green Party nominee, David Cobb.

The only problem I can think of is the national popular vote count. What do you guys think? Strategy advice?

[WI_DEM]

1. sure if that is who you prefer as president

I'm someone who feels it is your right as an American to vote for whoever you want to--it is our right, isn't it?

[Melodybe]

Every vote for Kerry makes them weaker, no matter where you are.

[Deere_John]

18. Agreed. A vote for Kerry is a plus no matter where it is.

As I see it, if Kerry gets a majority of the popular vote and the Electoral College votes, but only by a small margin, the Bushies will challenge the results in court and we all know how that will turn out. Kerry has to win by as large a margin as possible, not just in each state contest, but also in the nationwide popular vote, so anyone trying to steal the election will be as intimidated as possible.

Looks to me, if you really want Bush out, you have to vote for Kerry.

[cheezus]

3. yeah, I know that, but that's not what I'm asking

Of course it's one's right to vote for whomever... but I'm soliciting opinions on strategic voting

[WI_DEM]

10. north dakota is in the bag for Bush

vote for whoever you want.

[chimpymustgo]

2. Please vote Kerry. We have to send the strongest message possible.

Every vote for Kerry will help.

[Kanary]

13. Voting for Cobb also sends a "message"

The DEMs need a "message", also.

Kanary

[Worst Username Ever]

4. My prediction is that if enough people vote green

the "safe" states won't be so safe anymore. But people have a right to vote how they please.

[mstrsplinter326]

5. I am campaigning and voting for Dave Matthews in Indiana

I think that would really shock everyone, including Dave himself. Plus with a good amount of media coverage, we can send a message to Kerry that he's got work to do, without hurting Kerry.

Cobb is a great guy, but I just don't see him getting 5%, maybe things will seem different down the road but for now I am on the trail for Dave.

I think if I could get just 2,000 of the 37,000 students and Indiana university to vote it could be a national story, achieving my goal.

[movonne]

6. My problem we never know for sure it is a sure state....If this was not

such an important race I think it would be a great thing to do, as I would like to see a 3rd party some day.

[welshTerrier2]

7. no problem HOWEVER ...

please also do everything you possibly can to help defeat bush ... money and time you contribute to Kerry could make a real difference in states where it does matter ...

please read this thread I posted earlier today: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1886766&mesg_id=1886766

I'd be interested in hearing your response ...

[sandnsea]

8. When Dems vote, Dems win

You've got 2 Dem Senators for a reason. Maybe figuring out why they win, how their views are similar to Kerry's and different from Bush, and then getting that message out would be a better strategy.

[loudsue]

9. No. You should not, IMHO.

Here's why:

There are former repuke/Bush supporters by the millions who don't want bush in another term. "Safe Red States" just may NOT be "safe" for the reds this year, and you have seen the difference a couple of votes can make.

Bush is going to be hammered for some of his illegal activities before the summer is up, so even "safe" red states may be hanging in the balance.

If you're REALLY Green, then try getting more State and local boards filled with Greens, and then in the strength of their actions, eventually a Green may have a REAL shot at the big prize.

Just PLEASE don't take even a remote chance on voting for a Green for an office there is NO WAY he will win in November. Our country is in too much danger right now.

But....that's just my opinion.

:kick:

[Hornito]

12. I agree with Loudsue......

n/t

[HootieMcBoob]

17. That's what I was trying to tell everybody I knew before the 2000 election

That's the way to build a party. I do like Cobb though. He was interviewed on CNN and came across as a really good guy.

[BurtWorm]

11. You have the luxury to vote as you please.

So do I, actually, considering that I live in NY.

Maybe I'll try to trick a swing state Nadertrader into voting for Kerry and then vote for Cobb or Kerry myself.

[eissa]

14. NO!

Every poll seems to indicate that this election will be every bit as close as 2000. Even if * wins your state, helping give Kerry enough popular vote sends a really strong message. Believe me....nothing pisses off a freeper more than saying "I voted for the guy who got the most votes."

But that's just my opinion.

[shraby]

15. If you have electronic voting,

a vote for Kerry could help overcome any cheating.

[Warren DeMontague]

16. Get Me My Morphine, Stumpy!

I dunno... I saw the movie with Tommy Lee Jones. The guy seemed like kind of a nutjob.

:dunce:

[Warpy]

19. In an ordinary year, I voted my conscience.

After all, business as usual would generally prevail, no matter which gang of thieves got in.

Reagan changed that, though, by handing the GOP over to the religious freaks. Bush is only the logical outcome of that policy shift in the GOP.

I will continue to vote my conscience for all local races up to the level of governor. For national office, I'll continue to hold my nose and vote for whatever stiff the DLC decides to offer me. It is that imperative that we take our country back from the freaks that want to steer the world into another world war on the off chance that thier screwball ideas about the rapture come true and they get lucky.

I'd tend to discourage voting third party this time, no matter how "safe" you think your state is for Bush (or Kerry, for that matter). This isn't the time to be self indulgent. We can survive 4 years of a DLC presidency. We won't survive four years of Bush.

Throwing a progressive vote away on a candidate who can't unseat Bush is counterproductive, at best, and will only serve to discredit the third party if the race is close.

If the GOP ever dump the lunatic fringe as the dictator of their core values, that will change. For the forseeable future, this is the way it is.

[NWHarkness]

20. Consider the redistricting factor

The Republicans have used presidential voting (where it favors them) as a factor in redistricting, arguing that if their presidential candidate gets 60% of the vote in a state, they ought to be able to draw up districts for congress, state legislature, etc in a way that guarantees that they win 60% of those seats.

So voting for a third party in a solid red state can help enable the GOP in gerrymandering their way to greater power.

[doni_georgia]

21. popular vote will matter - please vote Kerry, because

If Kerry wins the electoral vote without a 50+% majority of popular vote, we'll have to hear the same RWBS that we did when Clinton was in office - about how he has no mandate because he did not win 50% or better of the popular vote. Kerry needs as many votes as possible even in red states - maybe especially in red states. This is no year to make a political statement.