[palmer]

Do you suppose you should support the most conservative party and/or candidate who can win elections? Otherwise you can support a fringer and help elect liberals. Your call.

There's some disagreement on what kind of candidate can win elections, so I would rather just measure the candidates' conservatism and leave it at that. Your "fringer" label is what passes for debate from your side whenever we have a chance at a real conservative.

[RebelBanker]

I will stand by my "fringer" comment. Whether we like it or not, politics is defined as the art of the possible. Thus, if you choose to hitch your wagon to a party or candidate that is lucky to draw whole percentages and can not dream of double digits, you waste your effort and divide your own side into spatting factions.

I take a hard look at a candidate's stands on positions before I will give time or money to him or her. Unfortunately, I also look at the opponent's stands as well and am often left choosing the lesser of two evils.