“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.
You are dealing with degrees of socialism.
Some reject it entirely.