Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Dilemma

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I was born and raised a Republican. Initially, I voted Republican because my upbringing was that way. Then, as I got older, I found that my values were more in line with those of the Republican Party. During Bush's second term I found myself seriously questioning my loyalty to the GOP. As "punishment" I voted Democrat during the local elections last year.

I was hoping that Giulianni would run for President because I believed he would breathe confidence in the GOP back into my weary heart. But lo and behold someone else has surfaced and I cannot believe how much I like this person. Barack Obama.

I absolutely adore this man. He's non-invasive, smart, articulate, fair, consistent and doesn't come across as an ambitious politico. I can actually visualize myself voting for a Democrat during this upcoming election. Not only voting for one but actually liking my choice after I've done it. All the other options feel like bulldozers to me.

So, what's my dilemma? Obama is THE ONLY Democrat I could vote for. I cannot bring myself vote for Hillary. And if she is on the ticket with Obama, it could really screw it up for me. But that's not the dilemma.

This is the dilemma. I want to vote in the primaries to help insure Obama wins as the Democrat's nominee for President. But it is my understanding that if I vote in the primaries, I have to vote that party during the Presidential election. I can't decide to vote the Republican candidate if I don't like which Democrat makes the nomination.

What's a girl to do?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Either you're not explaining right or you're wrong. I think it varies from state to state, but ususally you can only vote in the primary of the party you're registered for. In Alaska you can choose a combined Democrat/every other party but Republican ticket, because the Republican's won't allow a combined ticket. But for the Presidential election, you get to vote for everybody. Oh wait, maybe you mean you want to vote Republican in your local election but register as a democrat for the presidential. That's a dilemma. You'd have to ask your local voting office if they do combined primary tickets.

And I think you are a good example of my point, which is that the parties like to think that people are either one or the other, and really people are kind of in the middle. Yes, you usually vote for one party, but if a good candidate from the other side comes along, then you can vote for them.

Chris said...

Amy's right, usually you have to be a member of the party to vote in the primaries. They cannot force you to vote for someone in the election, however, without facing some serious legal reprecussions.

A Girl From Texas said...

Wow, thanks guys. I'm going to find out.

A Girl From Texas said...

Ok, this is what I found:

Officially, Texas has closed primaries. But in practice, any registered voter may vote in the primary of any single party, as long as they have not voted in the primary of another party. Texas's primaries are closed in a less direct way: once a registered voter has in effect declared his or her party affiliation by voting for the nominees in a party's primary, that person cannot participate in the proceedings (for instance, a runoff primary or convention) of another party.

I feel better. Dilemma solved.....

Anonymous said...

Hi Texas Gal...well I'm glad this isn't my dilemma, I'm a Canadian. But I am so far impressed with how Mr. Obama presents himself to the public. American politics is heady and complicated at best. I think the coming years will definitely reshape American politics both at home and globally.

A Girl From Texas said...

No doubt Whisperer, and I'm looking forward to the change.

LauraHinNJ said...

Once you vote in a primary, you'll be on that party's list for all the election-time junk mail they send.

;-(