[Norman Bates]

I seriously doubt anyone's soul is in danger because they voted for Mitt Romney. I didn't vote for Mitt Romney, regardless. Heck, I was mad enough at him at one point in the campaign because he was beating my guy - and I would offer up every fault and excuse to justify it (many true and some perceived). But it's over. (For me.) For others, no.

There is no perfect candidate. Picking McCain over Obama is not drinking the koolaid. Allowing Obama to walk to the presidency unhindered because of what in reality amounts to small beans or even a moderately decent hill of beans however may well be drinking it.

I happen to be a rock solid conservative. I just also happen to realize I will have no effect over policy by handing the keys over to the other side. (And simply hoping to take back congress SOMETIME in the foggy future isn't good enough for me.)

[fieldmarshaldj]

Soul, conscience, sense of integrity... I stand for certain principles, and I expect the GOP to as well. Perhaps some find that laughable, but I don’t. One is something basic, and that’s honesty. When this party promotes an incompetent, pathological liar, it’s no longer a party I can support in good conscience. I expect the lowest-rent trash from the Democrats, not from the GOP.

22 years ago, I was asked to go along to get along for a Democrat in my state who had a high tolerance for corruption, and I refused to do so. And in part for doing so, I had my academic career ruined for my speaking out openly against the man and becoming a Republican. I stay a Republican until its principles are sacrificed and we demonstrate the same diseased morals and values of our opponents. I felt dirty endorsing a deceitful RINO in a key race in 2006 somebody I knew had no business serving in the Senate. I’m not doing that again, not for any race. I am heartsick to see a lot of soulless cretins shilling for that certain ex-Governor. Facts and record to them be damned. That’s NOT my party.