In the Presidential Primaries, do you base your vote on?

Question

Who you think has the best chance of winning?
Who you think is the best candidate available?
Voting against the worst candidate?

Please explain your rationale.

I have a viewpoint but I will not turn this question by telling you what it is. I really want to hear different voices on this. I think all are important.

Answer 1

I always, on principle, vote for the best candidate available. That means in small part who has a chance of winning, but mostly means who has the best stance on all the issues. It is plain stupid to vote for someone just because they supposedly have the best chance of winning, and voting against the worst candidate is counter-productive. Perhaps the reason we have had so many losers in office is because people take these two approaches. More people need to do some work, find out who is the most logical choice based on ALL the issues and factors, and make their choice appropriately. Throw away party loyalty. Throw away your stance on one or two issues and look at the overall picture. So long as people refuse to do this, we will always have weak leadership.

Answer 2

The primaries are supposed to the ones that select the main candidate for the main election -so voting against the worst only means there may be a run-off between two or three candidates that really aren't capable of winning instead of choosing the best to begin with.

The only way to select the best is to hold debates and see where they stand before the primaries and then vote for the ones you feel best about. That's what I do - vote for the one cares about the issues and doesn't use dirty political tricks or smear campaigns.

Since I'm for the people I'm glad I've able to vote for the Democrats in past elections because of their stands on the issues.

So I guess my answer is the best candidate.

Answer 3

I vote for the person who I think would make a good president. But, I can't lie - I also look at who's leading the primary of the other party and consider which of our candidates stand the best chance. But, if you're really thinking about who will make the best *president* that person should be able to stand up to anyone from the other party...

Answer 4

Well....it would really depend on the candidates...

1.Who you think has the best chance of winning?--if this candidate is really good, and I think he can actually make a difference..

2.Who you think is the best candidate available?--if there all mediocre...then go for the least mediocre

3. Voting against the worst candidate?--Again, if they are all pathetic and mediocre, then I will vote for the least mediocre to hurt those others who are even worse...

Answer 5

If I was to vote in a primary I would vote for the candidate that best represented my politics. Seeing as the candidate that best represents my politics has no chance of winning it allows me to cast a vote for the person I realy want and then vote for whoever wins the democratic nomination.

Answer 6

The man with the plan to regain our country back from the Zionists and Nazis - Ron Paul!

Only Ron Paul Can Defeat Hillary Clinton
http://www.infowars.com/articles/us/vote_08_only_ron_paul_can_defeat_hillary.htm

Hillary is Israel's choice!

Ron Paul Exposes New World Order & Bush Snr.
Says American empire in trouble, dollar plunging
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/may2007/200507RPNWO.htm

Presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) was asked a question about the New World Order's agenda for a one-world government during a campaign stop in Austin, Texas on Saturday, amidst tremendous turnout and support.

Ron Paul responded, "The first President Bush said the New World Order was in tune-- and that's what they were working for. The U.N. is part of that government. They're working right now very significantly towards a North American Union. That's why there's a lot of people in Washington right now who don't care too much about our borders. They have a philosophical belief that national sovereignty is not important. It's also the reason I've made the very strong suggestion the U.S. need not be in the U.N. for national security reasons."

Video: Media Starts Focusing On Ron Paul
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Video
http://donklephant.com/
He was on CNN on Sunday, and the interview was posted to YouTube.

I really like what he’s saying.

Here are some interesting stats about Paul…
* He has never voted to raise taxes.
* He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
* He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
* He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
* He has never taken a government-paid junket.
* He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
* He voted against the Patriot Act.
* He voted against regulating the Internet.
* He voted against the Iraq war.
* He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
* He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

One could say he’s one of the few true conservatives running for President this year.

Answer 7

I vote for who I think the best candidate available is. I never have agreed totally with any Presidential Candidate I have voted for. Also I have never agreed totally with any party. I feel you just have to go with the one that seems to fit your ideas best.

Answer 8

I vote for the candidate (or non-candidate if necessary) who agrees with me most on important issues.

One problem with voting for the "lesser of evils" or the one who has the best chance of winning is that he/she may lose anyway, resulting in you trading a chance to state your desires in return for nothing.

A second problem with voting out of fear for the "lesser evil" is that the checks and balances of our political system might allow her/him to do the things you oppose while preventing him/her from doing things you support.

To me it is not worth the risks to vote for someone I disagree with on important issues. I'd rather write in the name of an activist who reflects my views.

Answer 9

whoever is realistic about the coming energy crisis gets my vote in the next presidential election. and is someone going to do something about the educational system? No Child Left Behind is a failure. last time i was voting for whoever was against Bush. didn't want to vote for Kerry, but thought i was voting for change. oh well.

Answer 10

i do alot of research before election day, i feel if your going to vote at all you should be well versed on your candidate,the mess this two party has everything in right now i don,t believe i,d vote for anybody but an independent. there people are supposed to be intellegent refind and well schooled people, i know mon keys better trained. folks we need a breath of fresh
air . lets face it who ever gets it has my prayers cause they are gonna need them|