Republican Refuse: Whose Vote’s Wasted?

Given the current political quandary some Republican voters are presently finding themselves in, it is not surprising that with the demoralization within the party, such a quandary makes for a heated debate amongst two particular voting blocks. One block being those that will hold their noses and vote for the maverick John McCain and those that will place principle over the party and write another candidate in. The former block remains adamant that to write in another candidate amounts to “a wasted vote”. Such a bold statement couldn’t be further from the truth.

Even amongst those willing to hold their noses and vote for Senator McCain, the vast majority of them (if not all of them) will admit that they’re not overly enthused about doing so. And, why is that? It is for no other reason than that John McCain bears too much of a resemblance to those he’s running against on a whole flurry of issues from Global Warming initiatives, Guantanamo detainees, Waterboarding, Renewable Energy mandates and subsidies, Campaign Finance Reform, Illegal Immigration, the Bush Tax Cuts (though he’s come around in addressing we need to extend them) and any others I may have missed. And so you see, by voting McCain, you’re voting for, not only at present but, someone who is not likely to take a position or implement public policy that you’re likely to agree with. It essentially amounts to partaking in a short-term non-profit investment of sorts with no benefit in sight.

Moreover, I find the level of hypocrisy amongst the “hold their noses” voting block to be completely astounding. On the one hand, they can’t stomach another Clinton administration any more than they can stomach an Obama one. In the case of either, the sole reason comes down to policy and positions. The policies and positions of either Obama or Clinton lean solidly left. And yet, the “hold their noses” crowd is not willing to address the issue of policy and positions with respect to McCain. Were they to objectively apply the same equation to McCain, there is more than enough to give one cause for concern. And really, what is politics but the implementation of ideology; the pursuit of public policy? But I digress…

Writing in a candidate on the other hand is the furthest thing from a “wasted vote”. It is more of a long-term investment whereby you suffer a short-term loss for a future gain. Businesses do it all the time as do stock brokers. By sticking to principle and voting your conscience by writing a candidate in, you’re supporting something you agree with as simply opposed to supporting something you disagree with in an attempt to thwart something you disagree with even greater.

But, of course they often tell us “that’s like cutting off your nose to spite your face”. I have to say that’s more than a bit humorous coming from the same block of voters that are trying to save their arm by cutting off their hand.