A vote for X is a vote for Y …

One of the arguments used against “third party” or longshot candidates is that if you support or vote for one of these, then you’re really helping someone else.

So, of course, you should not vote your conscience or your principles, you should compromise and settle for some other candidate.

I remember it being said of the US Taxpayers’ Party (now the Constitution Party) candidate Howard Phillips — that voting for him in 1992 was really a vote for Bill Clinton. In 2000, of course, it was said of Ralph Nader, that a vote for his Green Party run was really a vote for George Bush.

It seems that this year this “argument” is being used much more than usual. As near as I can tell, voting for anyone is really a vote for just about everyone else.

That, of course is because the only candidate who can beat the Democrats in 2008 is Fred Thompson. Or Ron Paul.

Mike Huckabee.

Rudy Giuliani.

Mitt Romney.

Duncan Hunter.

and Newt Gingrich.

I’m not really sure how they can each be the only person to beat the Democrats, but that’s what they say. I think that the laws of paradox and multiple realities must be in play here. The truth is, essentially, that this is a lazy and pathetic form of argument. It doesn’t rely on principles, ideas, beliefs, or values of any kind … it’s based on fear.

Fear, for example, of Hillary Clinton. I don’t know how many times in the past few days I’ve seen that we must all rally behind Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, or Ron Paul. Going back a couple months, we can add in the other Republican candidates. I’ve heard similar things from a couple of Democrats.

What there is of a logic underlying this argument is an assumption that your candidate can’t possibly win, and so you should settle for someone acceptable — or at least opposed to the person you oppose more. Therefore, a pro-lifer is told to support the pro-choice Rudy Giuliani for the sake of preventing the rabidly pro-choice Hillary Clinton, for example.

This kind of argument is meant to make the person saying it sound more sophisticated than the person being lectured. Obviously, the person using this “logic” is smarter than you are, and so you should abandon your pedestrian beliefs and do what you’re told by the other, more worldly, superior person.

Of course, this isn’t the case. The real issue is that the other person’s candidate isn’t winning the kind of support s/he wants, and needs your help. Rather than convincing you to agree, s/he wants you to give up. S/He wants you to surrender the fight.

I want you to make up your own mind.

I’ve said it before, and I’m going to keep saying it. Look at every candidate, read as much as you can, and make up your own mind. Don’t back off because some poll, or some intellectual-sounding bully, tells you that the candidate you like can’t win. If you aren’t totally satisfied with any candidate from the major parties, look to the third parties, look to the independents, look wherever else you can.

Months ago, I began the “Working the field” series with the hope of putting information out about more Presidential candidates than was available anywhere else. I gave up that project because of time constraints, but I hold to that principle — everyone should know as much as possible and choose the right candidate for him or herself.

The only thing that makes Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson more electable than Mike Jingozian or Joe Schindler is that more people plan to vote for him. If enough informed voters made another decision, then the whole world could change.

Your heart, your mind, your conscience, your principles, and your beliefs should determine your candidate. Not Zogby. Not Rasmussen. Not your neighbor’s insistence that your candidate can’t win the nomination, or would lose the general election if nominated.

I believe in the principles of democracy. Each voter should choose a candidate s/he likes and in whom s/he believes. If the candidate you want to win isn’t polling well, then put up more signs, go to more rallies, and work harder.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers have died so that you could have the freedom to vote for a candidate you want to lead this nation. It sounds corny, but it’s what I believe … you owe them AT LEAST enough to make your vote matter. Vote for someone you want to win.

In many nations around the world, people have to risk their lives to vote. In other places, citizens would gladly risk their lives for the opportunity that we all have. In Kenya, right now, people are risking their lives to speak out against a corrupt election — because it means that much to them.
No vote is wasted unless it’s given to a candidate you don’t want to win. Caucuses and primaries begin this week. Maybe it seems like it’s a waste of time to participate.

It’s not a waste of time. You must inform yourself, and you should participate in the nomination process. Be relevant.

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