Who do you vote for?

[Doohickie]

This is just a general poll, looking for opinions. Assuming, now, that we are all Democrats here, do you always vote a straight party line, or do you vote for the candidate that you feel is most likely to advance the basic ideals of the Democratic Party, even if that person doesn't have a (D) after their name on the ballot?

For instance, if you feel the endorsed Democrat has no chance of winning, but an independent (and former Democrat) has a shot of beating the Repug, how do you vote?

[Jed Dilligan]

1. I tried once to vote for a Republican

Campbell vs. Feinstein, because he was against the war on drugs. I was really sick of Feinstein. When it came time to put the pen through the paper, I couldn't do it. I do always vote for Greens in state and local elections, I just don't support their national campaigns because I think they are counterproductive.

[longship]

2. Right now? I'm a Yellow Dawg Democrat.

At this time, I would *not* vote for any Repug, nor any third party candidate.

I have voted for Republicans in the past, rarely, but there are exceptions. Senator Nancy Kassebaum was the last one of any significance.

But now I vote for Democrats only!

[MADem]

3. I am generally a party voter

I look at the big picture, and count on the House and Senate leadership to whip the recalcitrant bastards into shape on key votes that advance the party platform.

In the situation you postulate, it would depend on if the Independent intended to caucus with the Democrats. If he caucused with the GOP, I'd vote for the Dem, and get my ass out there and do a little precinct walking for him or her ahead of the election day vote. AND I'd drive geezers who supported the candidate to the polls--from morning till night, AND help them in to go pull the lever, with an arm, a wheelchair push, assistance with the walker, you name it. If every interested voter would help even three or four people get to the polls, it can make all the difference.

[robinlynne]

4. IF the third party candidate has a chance of winning, I think, is key.

Otherwise, you are giving your vote to the republican, as one less person who voted.
the lower the turnout, the more republican the turnout.

[jobycom]

5. The least conservative with the best chance of winning.

That can mean an independent or Green or even Libertarian if the Dem really has no chance, or there isn't a Dem. That's rare, though.

In cases where the Republican is a shoe-in, I vote for the most liberal, Dem or not.

But usually the only candidate likely to beat the Republican is the Dem, and I can't in good conscience vote for a Republican, either directly or by procie (ie, voting third party/independent/write in). Though I can think of a couple of times I wrote in a candidate because the Dem was so bad. None of them had a chance, though.

[dave502d]

6. I never have and never will vote for a republican.n/t

[queenbdem87]

7. well...

In that case I would vote for the independent......I guess the best way to say it is that you must assess each race in at least two key paradigms: how liberal they are and their ability to win....you want to find the best combination of those factors.....if that means you dont vote democrat, then so be it.

[Sadie5]

8. Straight Democrat

My conscience won't allow me to vote for the repubs.

[zonmoy]

9. How do you deal with local elections that only have one canidate on the

ticket who happens to be a republican.

[Doohickie]

10. Thanks for your answers

You've given me a lot of stuff to think about. Any further insights would be appreciated.

[union_maid]

11. Party voter now

I was registered as in Independent for about 30 years, but almost always voted Democratic. Now, it's a whole 'nother ball game. Republicans have proved themselves too dangerous to be left in charge of anything at all. In the instance that you describe - in which the endorsed Democrat doesn't have a chance of winning, well then, I don't know. In all other instances, whether I'm crazy about the candidate or not, I vote for Democrats at all levels of government. Control at the local level helps in campaigns at the national level.