political dithering

[ilanarama]

There are two Democratic candidates in the Colorado primary for the Senate seat that Campbell's vacating. I think that Mike Miles represents my views and priorities better. But Colorado is a pale pink state (actually, it's dominated by unaffiliated voters, but tends to vote Republican) and I think that Ken Salazar, who is more centrist and from a rural background, can beat whichever of the Republicans (Coors and Shaffer, who are currently engaged in an "I'm more right-wing than thou" pissing contest) wins the primary, and I doubt that Miles can.

Argh. There are an amazing number of people I've met through the local Kerry campaign who voted for Nader in 2000 and have been kicking themselves since. I worry that a vote for Miles will be a vote for Coors. But although I'm confident that Salazar will be a strong advocate for the environment (which is a major issue for me), I'm less happy with his stands on health care, taxes, and the war in Iraq.

Argh argh argh. What to do?

Comments

[wisn.livejournal.com]

Since this is a primary election, vote for the candidate who represents you better, and support whomever wins during the main election.

The meme of 'electability' has always been a poor one, in my view. I would love to know exactly how the 'unelectable' tag was attached to Dean, who was (and still is, to be honest) the only Democrat to rouse any energy among the electorate: To this day, the most fervent Dem activists are those who first attached themselves to Dean and are not campaigning for Kerry as much as in an 'anybody but Bush' capacity. (see http://www.dailykos.com , which has redirected its support energies currently to backing leading contenders for Congressional seats in order to restore a Dem majority)

I can't picture anybody but Bush supporters wanting somebody with Dean's fundraising ability and truly grassroots support ca. January out of the picture. Cough. This is probably better left to another, more paranoid (or not, given the 'Outfoxed' documentary and publication of Fox News Agenda memos) post.

[ilanarama.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess it's ridiculous of me to think that my one vote will determine who goes up in the general election. And of course I'll support either candidate then. But I'm ashamed of myself, I guess, for hoping that Salazar wins the primary, because I fear that Colorado is not liberal enough to elect Miles. Or rather, that Salazar's ranching background is a plus among the rural moderate-libertarian voters, that urban Miles doesn't have.

And I'm a former Deanie who is working FOR Kerry, not just against Bush. I like Kerry, even though I felt more energized by Dean. But I never thought Dean wasn't electable. In fact, given his positions on gun control and balancing the budget, I thought he might have been the most electable.

[wisn.livejournal.com]

> it's ridiculous of me to think that my one vote will determine who goes up in the general election

No, but that's also the wrong way to model the problem: Think of yourself instead as a member of a group who must momentarily act in unison to optimize the opportunity to get your way.

The problem with 'My vote hardly counts at all' is not only that it's inherently demoralizing, it misstates the purpose of a democracy, which is rule by majority.

If the majority fails to participate, decisions are made by the most influential minority.