This libertarian voted straight Republican. It didn't do any good--too many CONSERVATIVES stayed home--but I did what I could.
As for those who voted Libertarian...if you think the Republicans DESERVE those votes, then the Republicans can TRY EARNING THEM by leaning in a more libertarian direction. But face it: the people who BITCH the loudest about "losing" a handful of libertarian votes (this means YOU) are also the people who are least likely to accept Republican policy moves in that direction.
So you have two choices: advocate and work toward a more libertarian direction for the GOP, or keep poring over the vote tallies and EAT YOUR HEART OUT.
Seriously. I'm good either way.
"This libertarian voted straight Republican."
Ironically enough, so did I -- as I have for the past 14 years with the sole exception of 1992, which I have deeply regretted.
Before that I was a registered Republican who voted for Reagan twice and Bush 41 once. I'm also a veteran and proud of it, support the Iraq war and most of the policies the Republican party claims to support.
And now, for the first time since I started voting straight Republican again, I actually feel like I wasted my vote.
These people don't know who their friends are, but at this rate, they won't have to know, because they won't have any left.
I voted Republican and Republicans call me an idiot.
And you know what? They're right.
I must be an idiot to vote for people who are opposed to the values of personal liberty and limited government that are so important to me.
But I fell into the two-party trap of voting against the Democrats -- and consequently find myself surrounded by partisan demagogues who are just as obnoxious as they are.
At long last, I feel like my debt to the Republican Party for not supporting it in 1992 has been paid in full as of yesterday, and can finally leave the GOP behind with a clear conscience.
After all these years, I'm finally getting the message that the GOP truly doesn't want my vote.
Fine. I get it. I'll go my own way. No hard feelings, we just aren't compatible.
Thanks to everyone who has helped make this long-overdue decision easier. It feels... liberating.
See you in 2008!