It's time to take a census here - 11 months out edition

[fezzyfestoon]

Well, I graduated and I'm back in Jersey anyway, so NC will be without my vote regardless of whether I'd win the state for Obama.

[anvi]

Since I'm a resident of Illinois, which the president will win, and since I'll be out of the country for the majority of next year, including on election day, it's likely I'll sit this one out.  

But, were Huntsman to get the nomination, I'd listen before making up my mind.  If Romney gets the nomination, I'd listen, but he would have to do an awful lot of persuading to get my vote, and I'm somewhat doubtful I'd go to bat for him in the end anyway.  Anyone else gets the nomination, I'd readily vote for the president.

[Gustaf]

If I do decide to vote, it'll most likely be for Obama. But that's probably not going to happen anyway.

You still at school in NC? If so, that'd be a powerful vote to waste.

While this makes sense emotionally, it doesn't actually make much of a difference. NC is still unlikely to hinge on a single vote.

Ok, if you're going to play that game, why should anybody vote ever?

For various that are just as valid in North Carolina as they are anywhere else in the US?

[memphis]

If I do decide to vote, it'll most likely be for Obama. But that's probably not going to happen anyway.

You still at school in NC? If so, that'd be a powerful vote to waste.

While this makes sense emotionally, it doesn't actually make much of a difference. NC is still unlikely to hinge on a single vote.

Ok, if you're going to play that game, why should anybody vote ever?

For various that are just as valid in North Carolina as they are anywhere else in the US?

I get you. I'll be casting my meaningless House vote (D+23 district with old lines) and my meaningless Prez vote (strong R state) next year. Sometimes, it's just a matter of principle, though the VRA packed district thing really gets my goat.

[Torie]

Mittens or Huntsman.  Otherwise Obama.

[izixs]

If I do decide to vote, it'll most likely be for Obama. But that's probably not going to happen anyway.

You still at school in NC? If so, that'd be a powerful vote to waste.

While this makes sense emotionally, it doesn't actually make much of a difference. NC is still unlikely to hinge on a single vote.

Ok, if you're going to play that game, why should anybody vote ever?

For various that are just as valid in North Carolina as they are anywhere else in the US?

I get you. I'll be casting my meaningless House vote (D+23 district with old lines) and my meaningless Prez vote (strong R state) next year. Sometimes, it's just a matter of principle, though the VRA packed district thing really gets my goat.

The 'I'm just one vote' thing doesn't necessarily play out for two reasons. First off, sometimes elections are razor thin close. Anyone remember Franken's election? What about that Florida 2000 thing? Second, there are good number of people who are similar to me and who are inclined to vote based on the same criteria as I do, independent of where they are physically. And even if your vote doesn't really matter overall, their's might. Me telling you this probably doesn't help get them to the polls in swing states/districts, but I'd like to think letting this bit of realization be better known couldn't hurt such chances to get more folks voting, be they like you or me or anyone else around here.

When it comes to uncompetative/gerrymandered house votes, you do have options. Run for office yourself just so you can make some noise about how terrible the rep is for what ever reasons. Someone will pay attention to you as you are a candidate, even if you have no chance of winning. And getting a few people's attention does help persuade many more as they share those ideas with their friends and family. Maybe 10-20 years down the road that particular bit of land will be much swingier, or at least prone to ousting doofuses even if they are of the right party. If you don't want to run, and there's someone else on the ballot, you can also vote for them, even if they're crazy party X. If more unhappy people protest voted often, more politicians would seek to figure out what's bothering them and do something about it so they can get the edge next election. High turnout yield more responsive politicians, even if you're voting against them and the other guy/gal.

[Simfan34]

Obama against any republican... I could think about supporting Huntsman or Johnson if I were from a safe democrat or republican state, only as a protest vote.

I've decided I'm voting for Huntsman in the New Jersey primary whether or not he's still running.

[Chaddyr23]

Obama.
Although If I vote for Romney by the end of 2013 he'll be more liberal than Ted Kennedy the way he dances across the political spectrum.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Obama against any republican... I could think about supporting Huntsman or Johnson if I were from a safe democrat or republican state, only as a protest vote.

I've decided I'm voting for Huntsman in the New Jersey primary whether or not he's still running.

I would do the same, but I think Massachusetts has closed primaries.

[Lincoln Republican]

Would vote for the only Republican running who is actually qualified to be President, Romney.

Would vote for Gingrich if he is the nominee over Obama, that is, unless Gingrich does something really, reeeeeeeally stupid like pick Cain for VP, in which case would vote for Obama. 

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

If the economy was going South fast and Huntsman was the nominee, I'd maybe consider voting for him. For all other candidates and all other circumstances: Obama.

[Penelope]

Barack Obama under pretty much any circumstance.

Huntsman v. Obama would make it a tough decision, whereas with anyone else it's almost a given that I'll vote Obama.

[Yelnoc]

Huntsman.  I was for in the beginning, and then I kind of swung away when I saw on the debate stage, but right now I am of the opinion that foreign policy experience matters more than anything else.  And Huntsman is the man when it comes to that (not to mention that all of his opponents are certifiably insane).

[Gass3268]

Other than if Paul, Johnson or Huntsman are nominated, which we all know isn't going to happen, I am automatically voting for Obama. If one of those 3 are nominated I would have to make a decision, but it would probably come back to Obama. I am planning on voting for one of those 3 in the open Wisconsin Republican primary next April.