no, now if they vote just to vote republican and dont agree on his issues then thats being a traitor

I agree pink--So many people are completely blinded by their parties and have this knee-jerk reaction to support anything their party does (meanwhile, hating on whatever the other party does). It's so frustrating and really an asinine way to handle the leadership of our country......I read recently a really awesome quote by George Washington, warning about the dangers of, essentially, drawing party lines and the fierce, unwavering loyalty that can result and lead to bad decision-making! eeks!

i agree, pinkprincess. if you vote down party lines, and go against your own beliefs/gut feeling about someone, youre being a traitor to the entire democratic process. it's bad enough that we only have two major parties in this country, you shouldn't have to feel like you cant switch your vote from one to the other.

I wouldn't call them traitors, but I wouldn't call them Republicans, either. Anyone who actually believes in the ideals of the Republican party would not cast a vote for Barack Obama, plain and simple. It's possible that these people have changed their minds about the best course for the country or are not voting at all, but if you look at what Republicans stand for, it doesn't line up with Obama's policies. (I'm referencing what the party was founded on, not what the party has become, but you could make the argument while referencing either or both.)

That being said, I agree with yy and pink. You should vote for the individual you think has the best ideals and ideas for our country.

Of course not just like a Democrate who doesn't vote for Obama isn't a traitor either. The fact that people feel like the "have to" vote for the party on their voter registration card is a feeling that should be done away with, people should vote issues. This is why I have "declined to state" and refused the party system for years now.

I don't get the whole party labeling. You vote on who you feel will do the best job for the people.

Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, endorsed Obama on Wednesday!

I think that people are supposed to vote for the person who they think will do the best job. All of this devotion to "party" is not what our election system is about.

We're Americans first, Democrats or Republicans somewhere after that.

Is this like a person who dates outside of their race being a sellout? I think not!

I don't owe the Democratic party anything.

No, they're just being smart. I KID, I KID!!!!!!

I'm generally Republican, but I refuse to vote for the animal hating Sarah Palin. Sure, the GOP in general isn't necessarily compassionate towards animals anyways (neither are the Dems, really), but Palin takes it to a point that makes me horribly uncomfortable.
I can't stomach to vote for MTV's candidate either, so I won't be voting.

Not traitors, Wise!

Well traitor is a really strange way to put it! It's not like someone is born a Republican, or born a Democrat, and peoples' interests, needs and life experiences can change over time. My family is extremely conservative, and while I think they'll pull the lever for McCain, they do have very mixed feelings about it.

I do have to say that I couldn't decide between Bush and Kerry at the last election, so I just decided NOT to vote (for the presidential ticket). I know that we emphasize civic duty to vote, but not casting a vote is definitely a valid third option IMO. Of course, then I couldn't complain about Bush for four years...

I agree with Lilkimbo on this.

Kim, exactly!! I don't know why these stories are even being published, let alone repeatedly published if not to cast a shadow or a shadow of doubt on republicans. Some of these tactics are pretty insulting.

Why do individuals in a free country HAVE to vote as a group?

Doesn't that negate the point of being free to have an individual vote. No one's in the booth with me when I vote. I just vote and if someone asks and I don't want to say...I tell them to mind their own business.

"Anyone who actually believes in the ideals of the Republican party would not cast a vote for Barack Obama, plain and simple."

Thats right! Very nicely put Kim!

Plus we have to keep in mind that a lot of die hard conservtives were never really hot on McCain to begin with.

I was only hot on mccain when he looked like this.

I mean i am on fire for him now...but not hot for him...

Traitor's a pretty strong word, isn't it? That, or it reminds me of little kids on a playground for some reason...

I wouldn't call them traitors. And after reading the list, I don't think any of them have actually endorsing Barack Obama, but rather are questioning and/or turning away from John McCain. There is always an option to write-in your vote or possibly vote for any of the other candidates out there.

If you refuse to vote for anyone outside your party (Republican or Democrat) you're one of those close-minded Americans I despise.

I wonder how drunk he was on that picture?

Ruined the flight suit for me for life...
that's a lie, I'm gonna go visit my friend later, her husband's a pilot. I'll just stare at him a minute... the suit! not him!

Unfortunately sonja, there are many people on both sides of the aisle that meet that criteria.

Why call them traitors? That's so insulting. This whole process should be about thinking and deciding on the issues that matter to you. Not mindlessly voting blue or red. And that is the problem that infects this nation. This whole Red vs. Blue instead of What-(insert name here)-will-do-for-me-and-my-family-and-country vs. What-(insert name here)-will-do-for-me-and-my-family-and-country.

I will be voting according to my conscience. NOT according to mindless and thoughtless party affiliation.

I think the characterization of party affiliation as mindless and thoughtless is so untrue for a lot of people, though. I always examine the individual candidates and, the vast majority of the time, wind up voting Republican. It's not as if people randomly choose a party out of a hat. Typically, people identify as members of a particular party because they agree with that party's stances and, therefore, are usually going to vote for that party's candidates.

Rinos! I think it's sad that there is no good candidate with real, solid conservative credentials for conservatives to rally behind. As was mentioned on a thread yesterday, I think McCain would have helped himself much more if he had chosen Romney as his running mate.

My views are kind of mish mashed all over the place, despite leaning decidedly to the left so I guess it's a bit easier for me to vote outside of the Democratic party than someone who's beliefs and ideals align with one party so I kinda feel for the conservatives who are not entirely happy with their candidate.

kim - i agree with you again!

there are certain pillars of philosophy to each party, if you agree with that philosophy and vote with your party, why is that such a bad thing?

I could not agree more, haus. It's different if you identify as a member of a party because, "it's cool," or because your parents were a member of that party, or for any other superficial reason. But most people (at least I hope) choose their political parties based on issues.

And, I also must say that I agree with sonya. If you adamantly refuse to vote for someone outside of your chosen party, that's just silly.

But, if you typically don't vote for someone outside of your chosen party (or even if you examine both candidates and wind up never voting for someone outside of your chosen party), it's not necessarily because you're close-minded, thoughtless, etc.

I'm a registered republican, but have voted across party lines before. To me, if someone TRULY feels the other candidate is better, it's part of their job as Americans to vote that way. That would be like saying you're a traitor if you work for A major grocery store, but you shop at a competitor because it's closer to your house.

Not traitors. Independents.

In certain states, like mine, in order to vote in a primary you have to choose a party. So people do, even if they are 100% into everything a party offers.

I'm no longer registered republican because I don't want all this religion in my politics, and the repubs in my state bring that in droves. Does stop the republican party from sending me mailing after mailing begging me to come back to the party. So who is republican? The party brass that wants me back regardless of my voting record or the republican die hards that don't want me in their party because I don't agree with everything they do AND I'm going to vote for Obama in this election?

Your party represents you values and ideals.
With that said you vote based on some who best represents those values and ideals AND who you think is most competent for the job.

Example, if Bush could run a third time would you vote for him just because he's republican or would you go with a Dem candidate who was more competent. The answer is obvious.

Your voting decision is a combination of many factors. I'm very liberal, but I would never let my values and beliefs completely dictate my decision and bring harm to my country. It sucks not having good candidates that represent you, but that is where get involved and get behind people in the early stages of campaigning. Calling these people traitors is a dirty tactic that I would want no part in.

Oooo so many typos...sorry.

But, your political values and beliefs are based on what you think would bring our country the most good. So, your values and beliefs should dictate your decision.

And if Bush was running against Obama, I would either not vote or cast a vote for Bush. The answer is obvious to me, but I'm guessing that's not the answer you thought I would have.

Mydiadem, I definitely see what you're saying in regards to actual official registration, but in regards to how one identifies oneself, I think you can't honestly identify as a Republican (again, not talking about how you are registered) and be voting for Obama. Just as you can't honestly identify as a Democrat and be voting for McCain. It just doesn't make sense.

Oh, and to amend #38, I might vote for Barr or a third party candidate in that hypothetical. But, I would not vote for Obama. I might consider voting for a more moderate Democrat.

IF was was Bush or Obama....Bush again for me.

If Obama wanted to run against Bush he should have done it 4 years ago

loved that quote!

"And if Bush was running against Obama, I would either not vote or cast a vote for Bush."

"IF was was Bush or Obama....Bush again for me."

Now THAT is the scariest thing I have ever heard...

I remember now why I haven't been commenting much lately.

I voted for the democratic representative from IN from 88 until I moved away, because he was that good. I would also vote for him if he ever decides to gor for the Presidency. Unfortunately, he isn't far enough left to get the democratic nomination.

CG, your avatar cracked me up!

Jessie, I think you are underestimating how much many conservatives dislike Obama's positions. And when you vote based on your beliefs you may end up voting for a candidate you don't completely like (for me that was def. Kerry in '04!!!) because their views are more in line with yours. Many, many conservatives who aren't huge on McCain are voting for him because they still feel he'll be better for the country than Obama. It's not an obvious choice at all.

mariner, Isnt it just so funny?

I think the Palin factor comes heavily into play here, after the initial impact of her selection her run has gone downhill.
She may still be very popular in the bible belt. (There's a frightening Al Jazeera piece from Ohio with mind boggling interviews you should check out)
The choice of an inadequate running mate has done him much damage and I wonder if it was his decision?

I come from a long line of conservatives...more like libertarian/conservative...and nobody in my family likes John McCain. To hear my dad talk (and boy, does he ever talk), John McCain is the biggest disappointment to the Republican party imaginable. But he'll vote for McCain just because he thinks Obama's worse...? I'm tempted to write Alan Keyes' name on the ballot!

Suga, I can definitely see a true Republican/conservative not voting for McCain. What a don't see is a true Republican/conservative voting for Obama. It just doesn't make sense to me.