I’ve been thinking about the primaries lately, since Texas votes on Tuesday. Texas doesn’t always have a chance to make our vote count, but maybe we do this time. There are a few other states that still have a chance as well.
Now, I know I got in big trouble for not voting for the “biblical” candidate last time, but I think Doug Phillips and I are on the same sheet of music in who we want to vote for this election. Although I’m not 100% in agreement with Ron Paul, I did come to the conclusion several weeks ago that I am a Ron Paul supporter. When you look at what else is out there, what choice do we really have?
But last election, I took a strong stance on not throwing away a vote. So should I just throw away my vote this election? Is there any way I can make my vote count? After giving this some serious thought, I want to propose what will probably be a little bit controversial.
First, is a vote for Ron Paul this campaign throwing away my vote? No. I don’t think so. I do think a vote for Ron Paul, even knowing there’s no way he can win this election, is really a vote for the values he’s proposing — taking us back to our foundation. That’s a good thing. And the more his message gets out this year, the better chance we have of taking that message forward in the future. But, is that the most important thing I can do this election? Perhaps not.
So, what choices do I have? Huckabee? or McCain? I think we already know what the outcome is going to be, so does my vote really matter?
Maybe we should step back a little further and look at the big picture. What’s going to happen in November? McCain vs. Obama. Or McCain vs. Hillary. Those are really the only two viable options left, are they not? So, of those three candidates, which one is, unfortunately, the lesser of three evils? Oh, I know God is Sovereign and He already has the president picked out, but He still expects us to use our head and act. If I was forced to choose, I guess I’ll take McCain. So what does that have to do with Tuesday of this week? Or the rest of the primaries?
Well, who does McCain stand a better chance of defeating in November: Obama or Hillary? The LA Times ran this article that shows that if McCain were running directly against Obama, McCain would just barely edge him out by two percentage points. However, if McCain were running against Hillary, he would possibly beat her by 6 percentage points. So, my end goal is for McCain to get in. The odds are pretty even with Obama, but he’s got quite a bit of playing room with Hillary, so it would be better for McCain to run against Hillary.
In Texas, we have what are called “open primaries,” which means that no matter which political party we are registered under, we can choose any political party to vote for on primary day. Only on primary day.
So, if my goal is for McCain to win the presidency in November, my best bet is for Hillary to win the democrat nomination now so that McCain has a better chance of beating the democrat candidate in November.
I never thought I would be saying this, but this Ron Paul supporter is voting for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday. Go, Hillary, go!!
Pragmatic? Yes. But I really don’t like wasting my vote.
March 3, 2008 at 11:24 am
I’ve been wrestling with the same dilemma. McCain has basically wrapped up the nomination, so there is little point in voting for him. A vote for Huckabee or Paul might indicate my support for their values, but while I like each of them better than McCain there are still some parts of their platforms I cannot support. I disagree with Ron Paul on the causes and justification for Iraq war. Strict Constitutionalism appeals to me, but it cannot be achieved It would cause unbelievable upheaval if it were seriously attempted and worse if it were ever achieved. Huckabee, on the other hand, is moderate theonomist — and theonomy light is no less evil and repugnant than full-throated theonomy, in my opinion.
Whatever Democrat gets the nomination is going to be favored to win. I can’t bring myself to do it, but I really want to vote for Obama in the primaries. I don’t think McCain will actually prevail against either candidate. He could prevail. And he might have a stronger chance against Hillary. But ultimately I believe a Democrat will win the White House in November. In terms of his policies I don’t think Obama is a great improvement over Hillary. But I think Obama in the White House would fundamentally change the nature of racial politics in America, and on the whole I think it would be a change for the better. So even though I plan on voting Republican tomorrow, I am pulling for Obama on the Democrat side.
March 3, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Jen,
You’re forgetting all about the rich political opportunity after the polls close on Tuesday…you have an opportunity to gather at your precinct and THERE is where a real difference can be made. The resolutions that come out of the caucus can send a loud message to the RNC. And, have you considered becoming a delegate? It seems to me that really plugging in to the process is how to usher in the kind of change that Ron Paul represents.
I have conflicts with all three delegate-type events (Primary night, TX convention and National convention), so I can’t jump into the fray this time around. It’s been a real eye-opener, though, learning about how our process works!
I would urge you to vote your principles in the primary. I voted for Ron Paul last week. I was aggravated that the folks in NH and IA had different choices than me. That really irks me. Primaries should all be held on the same day, just like an election. Then, we would see who folks REALLY want. This nonsense of state-by-state primaries basically means that a few thousand people in just a few states, aided by the warped media, get to decide the field from which I get to choose. Phooey!
Have a pleasant day,
Jean
March 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Jen,
I thought of something else during lunch…it really IS important that you vote in the republican primary. After all, aren’t there other things (besides a presidential nominee) that are worthy of your vote? Like state senators and reps, judges, sheriffs, etc. And what if there is an important runoff election down the road this year for republicans? If you have voted for Hillary, you’ll be unable to participate in anything republican. Be sure you think it all through before you go and have “democrat” stamped on your voting card.
Have a pleasant day,
Jean
March 3, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I myself was tempted to do much the same thing in our OH primary tomorrow. But, when my husband and I talked about it, he pointed out that essentially, a primary is for Democrats or Republicans who are truly a part of that party to pick the candidate of their choice. When I cross party lines to vote for someone not of my party to better my party’s chances, I’m misusing the system to a certain extent.
I know the system is flawed and I agree that a national primary day makes a lot of sense, but I guess I’ll work in the bounds that are set up for now!
March 3, 2008 at 5:53 pm
You are totally going to hell if you vote for Hillary. We should all meet up and go have margaritas after the primaries. Oh – shoot – I gave up drinking…. oh well. I’m just going to be giggling myself giddy thinking of you voting for Hillary. But your logic makes more sense than the logic of those I no longer speak of….
I went to Glassbooth.org and did their little poll thing and I came out pretty even steven – I’m equally aligned with Obama and McCain. So funny!
March 3, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Sarah, let’s just skip the election this year and go have those margaritas instead! Too many bad choices!
March 3, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Well, I just returned from the Huckabee rally here in town. I went because I was curious, not because I’m a supporter. I also went to the Ron Paul rally a few weeks ago in Victoria, a little town out in the middle of nowhere. San Antonio has about 1 1/2 million people compared to this podunk town, but there were about the same number of people at both rallies. Perhaps Huckabee had a handful more. Huckabee seemed to have a confidence in Texas voters that they would vote him in tomorrow.
I couldn’t help but compare the two men and the two rallies. Both men claim Christ and both claim they are for smaller government. So far, so good. Huckabee was a good speaker and told great stories, but where was the substance? What does he have to offer? Patriotism? Ron Paul wasn’t as polished, but his message had a lot more to offer. Like Eric, I don’t agree with his platform 100%, but I like it a lot better than what McCain or Huckabee have to offer. Huckabee was pretty good in the rock band, too, but that wasn’t a good enough reason to vote for him! Oh, and Chuck Norris. That was a good move, bringing him on board.
Resa, I understand what you’re saying about making the system work, but the primaries are open on Tuesday specifically for that reason. It is a loophole on purpose! It is a major decision, though, and one that I will still consider for a few more hours.
Jean, I did consider that I would be throwing away my opportunity to vote for all other offices as well in the Republican party. I have looked at my ballot, researched each person running, and have determined that there are no tight races that I need to worry about.
I also strongly considered going to the precinct caucus tomorrow night. That will probably be the biggest factor in determining if I decide to kiss the democrats on the lips tomorrow or not.
I just thought it might be good to talk about politics here, since that was really the reason for this whole blog to begin with!
March 3, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Sarah, thanks for telling me about glassbooth. I took the test and came out strongly in favor of Ron Paul. No surprise there! Must have been the marijuana thing! Huckabee was a distant second, and McCain even more distant.
For some reason, Hillary didn’t show up on my screen at all! Maybe I’m voting for the wrong candidate!
March 3, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Okay, Jen, I have a different take on pragmatism. I think Obama is going to win the Democratic nomination, so I’m thinking about voting for Obama just in case this is my only opportunity to vote AGAINST Hillary Clinton.
March 3, 2008 at 11:50 pm
ROFLOL You are hilarious!
You know, in light of the election selections I might actually need to drink a margarita before I go vote tomorrow. Or at least a shot. But no marijuana b/c that’s totally illegal and I’d get in trouble. Plus its bad for running to smoke anything. Hard on the lungs.
And it causes munchies. Bad for the waistline. Or, um, so I’ve heard. Ahem.
So. Anyway. Funny thing is – I just had this conversation with another Christian Girlfriend tonight about how I really don’t care WHO to vote for because I really am not worried about who God lets run the country for the next 4 years. I’m pretty confident He’s got it under control. But I’ll go do my patriotic duty – I’ll even take Claire with me (while the other 3 kiddos are at public school!) Even if I am JUST a woman….
March 4, 2008 at 2:18 am
My husband hasn’t told me who to vote for yet, so I have no input for you.
March 4, 2008 at 9:47 am
You know, Sarah and Sarah, I just remembered that God does not allow women to vote. What are we thinking?!!! Oh, yeah. We’re not supposed to do that either.
March 4, 2008 at 1:04 pm
It has come to my attention that my marijuana comment may be misunderstood, so I thought I’d better clarify. One of the reasons I am a Ron Paul supporter is because he is opposed to a Big Brother type of government, as am I. I would like to see far less regulation and far more common sense. One of the questions on glassbooth had to do with the regulation of marijuana. I do NOT smoke marijuana, but I am opposed to all the government regulations regarding it as well. Just thought I’d make that clear.
I think Americans need to grow up and use the common sense God gave us instead of relying on Big Brother to take away our freedoms at every turn. We keep giving away more and more of our freedom — where will that eventually lead us?
March 4, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Jen your vote is your seat at the table. You have to cast your vote based on what you personally decide to do. I am voting for the person I think that will be the best president for all of the American people; those of all races and religions and other persuasions, the athiests, the rich and the poor, the wall street traders and the e-bay power sellers just to name a few, the small business people, self employed and retired as well.
Too often I think people get caught in the midset that they are electing a president for their special group only. Thats not the case. I never have considered my vote a wasted vote, even when I voted for someone who was a virtual long shot.
As long as a vote is cast…..it is not wasted. As long as it’s your vote..it is not the wrong vote.
March 4, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Sorry about the cannabis issue… too funny. I figured you weren’t suggesting we get high before we go vote – Hope my comment back to your comment didn’t cause too much trouble. I got the Ron Paul/Marijuana connection – just was having fun with it.
SORRY!
I just got back from voting. Took all of 5 minutes. I had Claire with me. I guess it was her first time to go with me to vote where she’s been keenly aware of the process (she’s 3 1/2 now). Today, I realized, I took a major step towards indoctrinating Claire in her Feminist Rights.
On the way out a young man was walking in with a big button on his shirt that said, “OUT for Hillary!” complete with a rainbow incorporated into the graphics. I thought how ironic it was to me that some people would count my vote as invalid because I can bear children – but the gay man walking in to the voting booth to push a WOMAN into the President’s seat carries more weight than mine?? In the eyes of some people?
PUHLEASE!!!
And now I need that drink.
Just a thought….
March 4, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Sarah W, I think the people you are referencing would probably have the gay man stoned – so he wouldn’t be able to vote either. And, in their perfect paradigm, Hillary would not be eligible as a candidate. Plus, anyone who is not a property owner, regardless of gender, would not be able to vote either.
Just a thought.
March 4, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Sarah W.,
Why indoctrinate Claire in Feminist Rights? Christ set ALL the captives free, and His message was extremely unsettling to the Patriarchal structure of the First Century Jewish leadership. The bottom line is there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, etc. If women insist on “Feminist Rights,” then it only plays into the hands of the other extremists…the contemporary patriarchalists.
I think Jennifer did a great job in underscoring the far sides of how the pendulum swings. If you pull it to the Feminist side, then you know it must swing to the other polar opposite when it’s released.
And with that said, simply take my words as a soft reminder not to play into the hands of the oppressors.
March 4, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Well, I chose the lesser of two evils after all — I just couldn’t bear voting for Hillary, so I voted for Ron Paul. That put me in the position of being able to attend my district convention tonight, where I was elected chairman. I had no idea what I was doing, and my Robert’s Rules of Order were a little rusty, but I can follow directions, so our precinct voted in 11 new resolutions to be passed up the chain for consideration. I had a great time, but my son said it was one of the top three most boring times he had ever had!
Sarah, the gay man voting for Hillary — I can just picture certain facial expressions now, if you know what I mean!
March 5, 2008 at 5:00 am
Jen,
Well, it would appear one of the anti-Christs had her bacon saved in Texas and Ohio.
At least the margin of victory was small in Texas, but what’s wrong with the folks in Ohio? Are those Yankees up north more bigoted than the good folks in the South?
Interesting indeed
March 5, 2008 at 8:18 am
Sarah – so totally true about the gay guy/voting issue. I just looked him square in the eyes and gave him a great big smile on my way out. It was funny. I should have told him “Best of Luck!”
Jen – SO FUNNY!!!
Well it’s a GORGEOUS day outside today and we (Claire and I) are forsaking all household duties and going to run some fun errands (new ballet shoes today for the both of us!) and hit up a park for a picnic together!
Ciao!
March 5, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Jen,
I’m so glad you participated fully! I’m envious actually. As I was driving to my other commitment last night, right past my precinct convention, I was thinking of you and hoping that you jumped in the fray! That’s so funny that Joshua was bored silly. I love all this stuff! HA! Wish we lived closer so we could chat about it in real life.
Have a pleasant day,
Jean
March 7, 2008 at 5:46 pm
What we smoke, dank cush, presidential s**t, George Bush…..hahahaha as if my mom would vote for someone who would let her get high legally! ROFLMAO
Sarah, if ya’ll got high and then had the margaritas, I can assure you that you would be puking your guts out in the bathroom. Seen it happen way too many times before….so you might want to pick one or the other…..lol
In other news, did you hear that Obama’s campaign manager resigned today? Yep, apparently she called Hilary something not so nice, then wrote a formal apology and resigned. Some of you guys read the newspaper to learn about this stuff…..I just went to school today and heard about it in my American Government class. *whispers* don’t tell Doug though, because women aren’t supposed to go to college, and certainly not think for themselves about who to vote for! Although I just turned in a 5 page paper today on whom I was voting for, and I came to that conclusion myself! I know, I even shock myself sometimes…..it happens…what can I say? lmao
March 8, 2008 at 5:46 am
Natasha,
I cannot believe you had the audacity to write a 5-page essay on whom YOU were going to vote for without my input and review! Have you lost your mind? Doug is watching and no amount of *whispering* is going to hide this heinous behavior on your part from Doug and his Dougites! ROTFLOL
You GO girl!
Dad
March 19, 2008 at 6:42 pm
[...] has some very well thought out arguements if you don’t mind a little Texas religeon thrown [...]
August 1, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Jen — I have spent the past couple of days reading your blog. I am facinated by your exposure of Doug Phillips. I’m so sorry for what happened to you and your family. It seems like enough years have gone by now that perhaps you should have healed, so I’m surprised that you are still documenting your wounds. I’m surprised, also, that you stayed with the church for as long as you did and kept trying to make it work — why didn’t you just walk away when you were first criticized? I’m sorry you’ve had to go through what you did, but IMO you should have walked away earlier than you did and you shouldn’t still be talking about it. Doug Phillips is corrupt and has obscene control over too many people’s heads, but I don’t think your experience with his ministry is still a current affair. He continues to pollute people’s minds, and you should be glad you aren’t a part of that anymore, but people make their own choices, you know? You chose the wrong church (and I can’t believe you kept going back!) — period — and certainly you should have some accountability for that. DP is not a holy man, he’s nothing better than a business man trying to make money and convince people of his prophesy, but his maker knows that all too well. Just have faith that he will pay his price for his lies (and Beall, too) at the gates.
I hope you have healed from all the ugly anger you have suffered. To me, 4 years (or is it 8 years?) is WAY too long to dwell on anything.