One can approach the election as some kind of mathematical equation, and it certainly is true, in that case, that ANY vote for any candidate other than McCain injures McCain’s vote total, and, therefore, his chance to win. That is basic math and basic common sense.
However, if the issue is: I don’t want any liberal or socialist leaning candidate to win, then one can legitimately vote only for a non-liberal or non-socialist candidate. Any vote for anyone tainted by a liberal or socialist ideology is to increase the chance of a liberal/socialist win.
Many consider, for some good reasons, John McCain to have liberal tendencies. His voting record on many issue says so.
There is another consideration, imho, and that is to vote for a candidate who is part of party that is in sincere good faith trying continually to organize for greater impact. If one is voting for a candidate of a party that is only active during elections and somnolent at other times, then one is wasting one’s vote.
“However, if the issue is: I don’t want any liberal or socialist leaning candidate to win, then one can legitimately vote only for a non-liberal or non-socialist candidate. Any vote for anyone tainted by a liberal or socialist ideology is to increase the chance of a liberal/socialist win.”
The problem remains that either Obama or McCain will be the next President. Another problem then follows, how best to prevent the most socialist candidate from winning.