What to do if you live in a Republican district where there will be a Tea Party challenger

[OmahaBlueDog]

Background: Omaha is in NE-2. We voted for Obama, but generally lean Republican. Our representative is Lee Terry, who is a Republican. While Terry has been pretty much a supporter of the GOP party-line, he has (apparantly) bucked it enough to be getting a Tea Party challenge. Matt Sakalosky (who shortens his name to "Matt Sak" for campaign marketing purposes) is going after Lee Terry for supporting the TARK and supporting cash-for-clunkers.

Some choose to become a "Republican for a day" to vote in their primary if there is no Democrat, or (as is the case here) the Democratic candidate is a foregone conclusion (State Senator Tom White will run against the Republican primary winner). I've never done this, but I'd be willing to consider it if our cause is aided.

What to do? The primary (IIRC) is May 10.

[ThomWV]

1. Support the T-bagger just enough to take half the Republican vote

And disgust the other half of the Republicans just enough to stop them from coming out to vote.

[yourout]

2. Other......move.

[OmahaBlueDog]

4. Can't .. I'm addicted to the high quality corn-fed beef

Seriously, Omaha is a great city with a low cost of living, low housing prices, and good (overall) schools. Even my neighborhood wingers are pretty civil.

[uppityperson]

3. "We voted for Obama, but generally lean Republican."?

You sound like you are asking what would give the Dem candidate the least challenge, but for some reason want to know if you should support a teabagger?

Confused here.

[OmahaBlueDog]

6. By "We", I meant the district, as opposed to myself or my family

...and yes, I'm asking if supporting the Teabagger in a Republican primary would help give the Democratic candidate a better shot. Some theorize that Teabaggers are so far to the right, politically, that they will tend to lose to anyone appearing more mainstream.

[uppityperson]

12. Thank you. I tried it once and helped get bush in.

Voted in repub primary for the idiot since I was concerned McCain would win and people would not be dumb enough to vote for bush.

That is the problem of getting teabagger in, they might win. I thought it worth the risk, once, know people who have done that successfully. Difficult call.

[hypocrisyandlies]

5. other

Vote for the Republican least likely to win in the end.

[Kievan Rus]

7. Support the Teabagger; mainstream Republicans will vote Democratic in the general election

[protocol rv]

8. A possible solution

First, you carry the Democrat across the river, and return. Then you take the Tea Bagger across the river, and return with the Democrat. Then you take the Republican across the river, and leave him with the Tea Bagger. Then you return and pick up the Democrat, and cross the river. When you arrive with the Democrat, the Tea Bagger already killed the Republican, then you and the Democrat kill the Tea Bagger.

I think that's the solution.

[OmahaBlueDog]

9. Dupe

I love my PC -- really

[OmahaBlueDog]

10. I like your thought process

I trust you mean "kill" electorally - not literally. I don't want Agent Mike getting all fired up.

[uppityperson]

13. DUZY! Good advice there.

[tanyev]

11. I share your pain.

I decided to vote in the Republican primary here a few weeks ago. I voted against teabaggers. However, the situation here is that many of the races have no Democratic candidate at all, so the winner of the GOP primary will be the winner of the election. I couldn't stand it if a 'bagger got into office and I had helped by voting for him or her.

[OmahaBlueDog]

14. Believe me, if that were the case here, I'd have a Lee Terry yard sign

...and not just because he got me Innagural tickets.

[lame54]

15. Teabag Vs Sak

[ericinne]

16. Support the Tea bagger

In my Nebraska neck of the woods, the tea party are considered morons to the Republicans, but they love Adrian Smith. I'd go with causing disarray and vote splitting and support the tea bagger. This is Nebraska were talking about. The Neo-South part of the bible belt. They ain't gonna go Democrat easy but it can be done, so better off to mess with the Repub either way. Whoever we end up with is more then likely gonna be a party of no obstructionist either way.

[LiberalFighter]

17. From past experiences with attempts to change the outcome it didn't work.

And there were consequences for those that are party activists. Because what one does in a Primary can prevent participation in party activities. Such as State Conventions.