Gary Johnson

[BellePlaine]

This is the ages-old conundrum, when/how do principles/ideals meet practical reality? It is a fair and difficult question with no easy answers.
Colin

I wonder if we could draw a distinction between practical/principle voting as the difference between voting AGAINST someone vs. voting FOR someone?

Practical voting is like accepting a limit of your choices based who other people are going to vote for. Principled is not making your choices their business. Does that seem to be a fair analysis?

[Amskeptic]

Practical voting is like accepting a limit of your choices based who other people are going to vote for. Principled is not making your choices their business. Does that seem to be a fair analysis?

I have not personally experienced the conundrum, so easily do I winnow my choices down to the "best selection available". It was nobody's business but mine that I decided Obama was the best practical selection. In fact, I have always shied away from ideological purity or dogmatic idealism. I am glad we do not have a circus of 40 candidates all seeking a slice of votes where they have to form coalitions to govern, like in many countries. I like that when the dust settles in America, we have pretty much a majority "mandate".

That said, I think you may have some strong opinions about why Gary Johnson and Ron Paul ran into walls in their quest for the presidency. I think they would have added important facets to the debate, but I also strongly feel that neither was presidential timber, and the system, while shamefully squelching their voices, performed its editing function.
Colin