I am sick of this 3rd party talk.

[The Blue Knight]

I grow tired of people on DU saying, "Well, if XXX isn't elected, I'm voting 3rd party!"

Let me ask you this: Why? Why not just vote for GWB himself?

Guys, look. We have to get the Right Wing out of the West Wing. We have to throw chimpy out. These new polls are encouraging, but Bush hasn't even opened up his war chest yet.

It's going to be a slobberknocker, just like last time. Why do people here bitch about Bush and then say they're going go to 3rd party?

You say you're not going to vote for Bush light, and there'd be no difference between a Bush Adminstration/Kerry or Edwards administration. Didn't they say that in '00?

You may not agree with each candidate with every issue, but guys, you have to vote for the Democratic nominee. You can't go 3rd party when our country is in such great peril. I agree, the Democratic party needs a kick in the ass (I back Kucinich and Dean was my 2nd choice). But, guys, do that in '05, after we've retaken the White House.

Because, in my opinion, if you vote for anyone besides the Democratic nominee, you have no fucking right to bitch about what Bush does in his second term.

Thank you.

[bigwillq]

1. Although a Dean fan

I will not go third-party in the GE. I do plan on voting for Dean in my primary but then I will throw my support to the DEM nominee when their officially nominated.

[Goldom]

2. amen to that.

I'm for Kucinich and if I can support Edwards *or* Kerry (i do), I think anyone can.

[The Blue Knight]

3. Primaries are fine. It's the GE I'm worried about.

I have beef with Edwards, I have more beef with Kerry.

But you can bet your sweet ass I will donate and volunteer for either of them if they get nominated.

Just think of it as an "anti-Bush" vote instead of a "pro-XXX" vote

[SinkingInTheRain]

4. Every four years it's the same speech

If not now then when are we going to take out the trash at Dem HQ? We have learned nothing. We are still marching with the same baggage we had in 2000. Now is the time for change and not the time to run another DINO to slip in another four years of same same.

[JackDragna]

5. There would be differences between Bush and Kerry..

..but that still doesn't mean I'll vote for Kerry. For you and others who lambast those of us who will now vote for third-party candidates: at what point does a candidate's stances make him untenable as a representative of leftist ideals? Kerry supported one of the most aggressive, heartless military actions this nation has ever taken against another. He thought it was OK to go against world opinion and international law, even if doing so ruined our reputation. He apparently bought into the flimsy evidence for war, knuckling under to the political machinations of the Republican party. He still refuses to directly come out and say the war was a mistake, despite the current chaos into which Iraq has devolved.


There are some actions which disqualify, in my mind, any candidate from getting my vote and supporting the war is one of them. I want Bush out, too, but I'm not going to mortgage my conscience to a man who would not stand up for the downtrodden and oppose violence. I will not support a man who propigates the idiot notion there's some "war on terror" which required us to ravage another country. If the Democratic party, at the national level, cannot put forward ethical candidates, then I will take my vote elsewhere.

[MarianJack]

6. You're Absolutely Right!

Here Here and well put!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. I agree.

Though I suspect people who say they would vote for a third party are not real Democrats. Heck, I understand the feeling of disappointment. My candidate, Wesley Clark, dropped out of the race. However I firmly believe this country cannot survive another 4 years of George W Bush.

[Sterling]

10. What is a real Democrat anyway?

I am still working that one out myself. I thought I knew but after watching our so called "leaders" back policy after policy that I KNOW are not in line with what I thought Democrats were about I have no idea what being a Democrat means anymore. Maybe it just means people who prefer the letter D over R or think donkeys are cooler than elephants??

It sure is not people who are for equal rights or against permanent war on the world or for the preservation of the bill of rights.

[MrPrax]

8. Commitment to the Team

or to issues?

Nader has a good reply

http://www.counterpunch.org/nader02192004.html

[Sterling]

9. Why don't we all just vote what we feel is best and mind our own

bussiness. All I can do is make the best arguement for my point of view.

How someone votes is ultimately very personal and subjective and I hate hearing people demand others see things their way.

[Old and In the Way]

11. This ain't rocket science.

We haven't controlled either House since 1996....is that the fault of Democrats or voters who are duped to pull the levers for war profiteer party?

When our Party engineers votes like IWR, outs CIA agents, and raid the treasury to the tune of $800BB, then I'll happily vote 3rd party.

Calling for 3rd party vote action makes me wonder what the true intentions of the poster are. I kinda doubt it's to get a 3rd party elected.

[Moderator]

12. Locking

Rules to start discussion threads in the General Discussion forum.

...

7. Discussion topics that mention any or all of the Democratic presidential primary candidates are not permitted in the General Discussion forum, and instead must be posted in the General Discussion: 2004 Primary forum.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
DU moderator