Hello! I am A.J. I need some advice from some Veteran Democrats [View all]

[AJTheMan]

Hello, DU Forum. I am new here. I have posted on many political forums but this is the first one that I actually feel at home. Anyways, my name is A.J. I am from northern Louisiana. I am 18 years old and I plan to attend community college in the fall. I am a partisan Democrat and I'm not afraid to tell people that. I've been struggling with an issue that's been pressing on me for some time. I would like to see what fellow Democrats think.

At what point is it OK to vote for a Republican, in your opinion? I ask because many of our elections here in Louisiana have no Democrats running. For instance, in a local election, a Democrat judge just stepped down and three Republicans are vying for his seat. Now, morally speaking, I would never vote for a Republican if there were a Democrat in the race. But in this situation, should I just not vote? Or should I go with the one who is most progressive?

Take another example, from last year. Last year we had a Lieutenant Governor spot open. Two Republicans were vying for the office. One was a hard-line, right wing, tea party endorsed Republican and the other was a moderate conservative. There were no Democrats in the race. In this situation, would I just not vote? Or would I go for the one who is more moderate. (The moderate Republican won the office because many Democrats decided to vote for him.)

To me, voting Republican is a last resort. I see the party as truly immoral and against the interest of every free American. In your opinion, however, is it ever acceptable to vote for a Republican?

Please remember that I am young and looking for guidance from my party brothers and sisters. I am very loyal to the Democratic Party and I want whats best for America and the idea of voting for a Republican disgusts me. But, like in the judgship case, I can either vote for one of the three Republicans or not vote at all.

What do you think, DU?

Thanks so much!