VA Primary Day is Here
After what seems like a long wait, it’s finally time to vote in Virginia’s primary election. It’s nice to actually be relevant for once, though I really wish the primary season wasn’t so far removed from the conventions and general election cycle. Yes, I realize that those first two sentences reflect conflicting ideas on the timing of this primary, but that’s a pretty fair representation of my thoughts right now. Anyway, I decided to hit the polls on my way home from work, because the 6:00 AM opening is after my usual departure for the office. I’m going to hop on the early bus home, and try and beat the post-work rush.
Being in Virginia, I can choose which party’s primary I vote in on the spot, with no party registration required. I’ll vote in the Democratic primary, as I tend to lean a little more to the left. One of my staunch Republican co-workers decided that he, too, would vote in the Democratic primary. He wanted to vote for Clinton, with the thought that she’d be the easier candidate for the Republican nominee to defeat. He was all set to do this, until he found out that he would have to state out loud that he was voting in the Democratic primary, and he felt like that act alone would sully him; not intentionally trying to select what he thought was a poor candidate for the opposing party. He ended up voting for a Republican.
That planned of gaming of the system makes me understand why many state parties require registration to vote in their primaries. I just hope that behavior is few and far between. If I were to vote in the Republican primary this cycle, I would vote for the candidate I thought would make the best president, not the easiest mark (unless they were the same;). I would rather have two good options in November than have to worry about getting stuck with a poor choice if the election didn’t go my way.
So, I will head to the polls later today and cast a vote for Obama. I appreciate his energy and enthusiasm and worry about Clinton’s polarizing nature. Also, the few articles I’ve read about Obama’s economic plans make me feel that he has some good advisers, which neutralizes the concerns about lack of experience. Hopefully, he’s a good choice; it’s just so hard to tell this early in the process.
Comments
Comment from Sacker
Time: February 14, 2008, 1:00 pm
Homer: America, take a good look at your beloved candidates. They're nothing but hideous space reptiles.
[unmasks them]
[audience gasps in terror]
Kodos: It's true, we are aliens. But what are you going to do about it? It's a two-party system; you have to vote for one of us.
[murmurs]
Man1: He's right, this is a two-party system.
Man2: Well, I believe I'll vote for a third-party candidate.
Kang: Go ahead, throw your vote away.
Comment from Elwing
Time: February 13, 2008, 5:57 pm
Unfortunately, MD requires you to register your party, and I’m registered Libertarian (I think - it keeps coming and going as a party), so I didn’t get to vote.