This Leslie phenomena does not worry you?
Fair enough. Of course it is off-putting. I regard myself as something of a centrist, and mostly what I look for in a candidate is evidence that he/she would be good in that job. For that reason I voted to re-elect John Kerry to the US senate in 1996. And for the same reason I supported Bill Clinton for President in 92 and 96, and George Bush more recently.
But that's not what your original post is about. It seems to be predicated on the idea that those who don't vote for the same reasons that I do are under some stark misimpression. I have repeatedly suggest on this forum that this narrow-mindedness is not at all good for our country, either morally or, more importantly, economically. You make a good point that sometimes folks potentially vote in a way that isn't apparently in their economic best interests. But you fail to realize what, exactly, their economic best interests are. Leslie may very well think that Bush had nothing to do with his economic plight. There's an argument both ways. And when folks can vote their conscience, without fear of reprisal from people who are bound and determined to see things go their way, then we can begin to have the kind of honest, open dialogue which will better our people. Until the DNC realizes that sometimes nice people simply disagree, they are likely to be a minority party. I'm not saying that the GOP is any less stubborn, but, as a matter of simple fact, that sort of stubbornness works for them. When dems try that narrow-minded schtick, it just looks intolerant. It's a subtle point, and goes to Nationalism. One expects a nationalist to be stubborn, and that demographic to which stubbornness would naturally appeal is likely to be traditionalistic at heart. But that demographic to which fluidity of morality would appeal is much less likely to be swayed by the rantings of the likes of George Soros, Michael Moore, et al, who try to convince the Leslies of the world that they are simply not smart enough to make choices for themselves.
We have found ourselves in a truly awkward position wherein the Democrats have become downright undemocratic (elitist even!) Somewhere Daniel Elazar must be rolling over in his grave. n'est ce-pas?
My only point to you was that you seem to still be in campaign mode. It's really over this time. No Palm Beach County recounts, no famously quoted Al Gore "snippy" remarks. No supreme court. What is it you're looking for? A fight? then, by all means, go right ahead with what you're doing. But if you're looking for stability, economic progress, and general prosperity, then put aside the prosyletizing, and get on with the constructive criticism that democracy demands.
