Sometime people who read my site ask for advice. I guess that’s redundant–obviously anyone who asks me for advice would have to be a reader, as anyone who has met me in real life would know better.<\/p>\n
Long time reader here... I'm in SC and an pretty much an independent in terms of politics. I chose not to vote in the Republican primary as all of them turn my stomach and will vote in this Saturday's Democratic primary instead. I am thinking of my vote as more of a vote against Hillary than a vote for anyone. What are your thoughts in terms of this and who do you think is the lesser of two evils: Edwards or Obama? I am leaning towards Edwards, the bajillionaire attorney suckling on the teet of Big Tobacco vs Obama. Anyway, I actually find your insight on politics more understandable, interesting, and insightful than the most pundits. So if you could spare a moment and share your thoughts, that'd be great. :)<\/p>\n
Warm regards,<\/p>\n
Betsey<\/tt><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My reply:<\/p>\n
Hi!<\/p>\n
The conservative argument against taxes, in a nutshell, is this: it is fairer and more efficient if people are allowed to keep their own money to spend on those things they know they need, rather than to require them to hand it over to a Government to spend on what it thinks<\/em> the citizenry needs. Given what you've told me, i would encourage you to vote for Obama for essentially the same reason.<\/p>\n
Of the remaining Democratic candidates, Edwards is, in my opinion, the most suited for the presidency. But if the last few weeks have shown us anything, it's (a) Edwards is not going to win, and (b) he's
not going to drop out<\/strike> going to drop out on Wednesday, January 30th, you heard it here first<\/b>. So why is remaining in the race at all. Many (including myself) think it's to become a kingmaker, of sorts; if neither Clinton or Obama collect enough delegates to win the nomination (a majority), Edwards could offer his accumulated delegates to one of them in exchange for something he wants: the vice-presidency, the inclusion of one of his signature issues into their platform, or the like.<\/p>\nNow, if you really like Edwards or the issues he fights for, then voting for him still makes sense, as it might result in his going to the White House as Veep, or having his signature issues adopted by whomever becomes the eventual nominee. But if your goal is simply to ensure that Hillary doesn't get the nod, then it's obvious to me that you should vote for Obama. After all, any votes (and, by extension, delegates) that go to Edwards could wind up in Hillary's ledger eventually, if Edwards brokers a deal with her at some point, drops out and endorses her, etc.<\/p>\n
I'm glossing over a lot, here (like the fact that Edwards can't simply \"give\" his delegates to someone else), but the gist of it is this: you can \"spend\" your vote on Obama, or you can give it to Edwards and run the risk that he might \"spend\" it on a candidate you don't really want.<\/p>\n
Cheers,
\nMatthew<\/tt><\/p><\/blockquote>\nAt least I was conscientious enough to send my advice today, after<\/em> South Carolina primary, to make it unactionable.<\/p>\n
By the way, I’m completely sympathetic to the idea that people ought to be able to vote for whomever they choose, even for someone (like Edwards) who seemingly doesn’t have a hope of winning. I agree! People ought to be able to do that! But the point is largely academic until this nation implements instant runoff voting<\/a>, something I would love to see in my lifetime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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