As I recall there was some discussion a few years ago about support for the Republican presidential candidate by FreeRepublic. As I recall the discussion was about whether or not FreeRepublic would become known as a Republican web site instead of a Conservative Web site. Since that time there has been a lot of support for Republican candidates at FreeRepublic, not because they have been so good but because they have been so much better than the alternative even when they were bad.
Undoubtedly, FreeRepublic has drawn some Republicans, in contrast to Conservatives, because of that. Something might need to be done about that. Letting the debate continue among the posters might serve you best, at least for now.
But that does not mean you have to let the name "FreeRepublic" be associated with candidates of whom you disapprove. Instead let it be associated with opposition to candidates of whom you disapprove even more.
Most of the time my vote has not been "for" someone for president.
Most of the time my vote has been "against" someone.
I consider the person in favor of whom I cast my vote to be the lesser of two bad choices.
Sometimes it's a matter of taking a step in the wrong direction as opposed to a leap in the wrong direction.
You don't have to step out in favor of someone of whom you disapprove in order to step out against someone of whom you disapprove even more.
In closing, support for a third party at the national level would be a leap in the wrong direction. It is too likely to lead to another 48% president of the wrong kind. Note that I wrote "at the national level". Support at the lower levels is well indicated. Seems to me most third parties want to go for the top position too soon. They don't have a foundation suitable to make them anything but a spoiler.
Finally, "The Constitution is not a suicide pack." Is FreeRepublic? The answer should be "no". Don't let them get you down, you're doing good. And good luck keeping up with all the responses I expect your post is going to draw.
Your points are well made. One step forward, two steps back is better than annhilation at the hands of Hillary or Obama.
KrisKrinkle, your post #288 is smack dab on the money. Ping to myself to read it. VERY WELL SAID.