I often hear people say, I dont vote for the party, I vote for the person. If you are such a person let me challenge your thinking, especially when it comes to national office. Candidates for the House, Senate, or Presidency, with very rare exceptions, are members of political parties (even Independents caucus with one or the other party in Congress). Political parties have policy positions on how they would govern and how they would use government if in power. Those policies are based on a set of fundamental underlying philosophical principles reflecting a particular world view. When they are in power the act to further that world view through legislation and policy. When you vote for a candidate you are, in fact, voting for the party; and that party will act to further its agenda. I will use the Georgia Senate race to illustrate my point. I have been starting to pay attention to Michelle Nunn as she gears up her campaign, backed by a sizable war chest. The story line of her campaign is becoming clear -- she is going to run as a centrist who will be her own person -- a Washington outsider who will stand up to the president when she thinks he is wrong. Sounds good -- but, to quote a former preacher I know, hogwash and slop. A vote for Nunn is a vote to maintain the Democratic majority in the Senate and for the leadership in the Senate of Harry Reid. Reid has been consistent in his unwavering support for the president and his policies; consistently resistant to any Republican ideas; and persistent in denying the centrist members of his own party in the Senate to bring their centrist legislation to the floor for a vote. Michelle Nunn can say whatever she wants - the fact remains a vote for her is not a vote for just the person, it is a vote for the continued control of the Senate by the Democrats led by the very liberal-progressive Harry Reid. I support our political process and the right of everyone to express their views and vote as they see fit. I also believe the ideas of George Washington who was spot on when he said our form of government was meant only for a moral and educated people. If you support the policies and world view of the Democratic Party it is your responsibility to vote for Michelle Nunn -- but do not kid yourself by believing a vote for her is not a vote to support the policies of the Democratic Party. It is. My political column for the day.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:50:15 +0000
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