Bitter and Sebastian are both saying that pro-gun Michigan voters should get on the McCain train, specifically because a victory in Michigan for McCain would do some serious damage to Mitt’s campaign.
I’m not a big fan of McCain, the McCain-Feingold bill that he was behind still certainly sits in a raw spot for me; but at the same time I would much rather see McCain run that Mitt Romney.
Fred is polling poorly in Michigan, Ron Paul is <i>still</i> crazy, so if you want to vote for your gun rights in an effective way, vote for McCain in Michigan. His campaign slogan can be: McCain – Hey, at least I’m not that other guy.
I do want to add the disclaimer that I feel like primaries are one of the few times where you can really vote your heart, which is exactly what I plan on doing in Indiana’s eventually primary – so Michigan voters, if you’re not going to vote against Mitt (which let’s be honest, that’s what we’re doing here) then vote your heart. Maybe enough of you will vote your heart for Fred that Mitt will lose anyway.
I don’t think that it’s so horrible to hold your nose and vote McCain in Michigan, if for no other reason than Fred isn’t even in MI right now. Same goes for Rudy supporters.
Besides, another relatively safe reason to do it is because MI will only have half the number of delegates this year. They were stripped of half for moving their primary up too early. This makes it a better strategic state to not worry about delegates as much as other states. It’s all about blowing the wind out of Romney’s sails.
Fair enough. I just sort of feel bad for telling people to vote their heart, then saying “except for now”.
Ahab –
It’s not the same, provided the candidate isn’t on the ballot (I’m assuming Bitter’s comment about “[not] even in MI right now” as “not on ballot). On the other hand, if everyones “all in” and on the ballot, then, in a perfect world, it should come down to voting the conscious. Gripping hand, if you know your favorite will get a boost from another candidate winning in your state, where yours has only a long shot there but better chances down the road, that’s just the kind of calculus that makes politics a messy game.
AFAIK Fred’s not running ($pending money) in Michigan. He’s going all-out for a win or a place in South Carolina.
I always use the analogy in regards to McCain as, I’d rather have the devil you know, than the one you don’t. I don’t know Romney or Huckabee, and from what I’ve seen is not favorable. So, yes McCain will all of most likely be my choice, begrudgingly.
As for Ron Paul, crazy, he is freaking nuts. But, I can see where he is coming from as to being a federalist, but not an isolationist, which is what he wants.
A better question to ask is does John McCain or Mitt Romney understand the concept of “I, , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
and then ask both of them where in the US Constitution they find authorization for the BATFE. I imagine Ron Paul understands the oath and the US Constitution far better than Mr. McCain and Mr. Romney. I agree with the concept of vote your heart.