I disagree.
So-cons gain nothing by deliberately undermining the Republican nominee by refusing to vote for him. And they might lose everything.
No segment of the base is a kingmaker. The sooner that is realized the better.
Many so-cons quit on Bush I. Did that do anything to advance their principles or get them taken more seriously? No. Each time they threaten to go on strike, their influence grows weaker. That’s because a political party exists for only one purpose-—to win elections. When a group consistently refuses to help accomplish that goal, the party just moves on and tries to find other people who will help.
No different than a football team. It’s not personal. It’s not about personal principles, it’s about winning within the agreed-upon rules. So if a bunch of people quit the team on game day, all that happens is the team tries to find a way to win without them. And they sure as heck try to avoid having those kind of people on their team in the future.
Very well said.
It's incredible how certain principles makes us different. You are different from me. The "Republican" label does not do much for me these days. Not even "Conservative" does the trick. I am a "Social-Conservative," ('conservative' + Social Values)and that sort of represents me best and my views.
The point is, unless we come up with another group or party, I and many like me are stuck in this group for now. And we like the others have to have to courage of abiding by our principles even if they are not shared by many in this so called "Republican/Conservative" group.
I agree that your points seem valid, for your group; I just don't seem to identify with your group... And that is the dilemma for Social Conservatives now. I agree something has to happen because I am tired of fighting with my own 'friends.' :) Oh well.