The most tiresome pro-any-candidate argument. . .

[Brian_Expat]

. . . is "vote for Bush if you disagree."

What an inane argument.

It was stupid when Dean people used it when he was the front runner.

It was stupid when Kerry people used it when he was the front runner.

It will be a stupid argument when the nominee is chosen.

If the only response you've got to a legitimate problem, question or concern is "well, if you don't like it, vote for Bush," you are not a serious candidate, sorry. You're just cruising down to an election defeat.

[Kanary]

1. Yeah, I got hit over the head with that here on DU

and it felt hateful and dismissive.

I guess we just aren't going to learn to stop bashing our own... until we lose ALL support.

Kanary

[Dr Fate]

2. Yeah, So "stupid" that it reflects hard reality...

Just like the "Stupid" 2 party system is reality.

I agree that we should criticise our candidates. In fact, we do, and often, who says we do not? But I'm not gpoing to use that as a spring board for suggesting that its okay to not vote DEM or enable Bush. NO- it is NOT okay.

You can come up with all the righteous, fancy pants speeches you want- but at the end of the day, we will either have Bush, or a DEM who is 100 times better. I know what my choice is.

3rd party? Greens cant even win an important election in San Francisco, the most Liberal city in the USA-they cant get their act together to even get matching funds...

You can vote for a VIABLE candidate that reflects many of your values, or enable one who reflects NONE of your values. Your choice.

[mmonk]

3. Here are the choices

bush and a possible repeat majority that will actively attack rights concerning gay and lesbian marriage possibilites.

Kerry and possible some coattails bringing dems in congress with people willing to listen to the issue more positively.

A third party candidate with no chance of winning or no coattails.

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. Since a political solution is no longer a realistic possibility, and since

the question of whether you vote, and if so, for whom, will affect the vote tally as determined by Diebold, and whether the vote tally will affect who is installed as figurehead, are all matters of faith, if voting will make you feel good, voting your conscience will make you feel better.