The “lesser of two evils” meme (and its brother “...is still evil”) has always struck me as being over the top.
In my experience (watching elections since 1976 and participating since 1984), no Republican candidate (and, tell the truth and shame the devil, not many Democrats) has been “evil”.
I believe it was Reagan who said something like “just because I only agree with someone 3/4 of the time does not make him 1/4 my enemy.”
Someone else said “the perfect is the enemy of the acceptable.”
I voted for my first choice, FDT, in my state’s primary (before he quit...all to soon, to my mind). He was imperfect; he was acceptable. Others then running were likewise imperfect but acceptable.
I cannot vote in another primary; so, as in about half the presidential elections I have voted in, I will now have to vote not for the lesser of evils, but for the least imperfect.
No matter who it is, that one will be identified by the letter “R”.
I’ve dealt with this same problem in 1996 and 2008.
(Been participating since 1984; ‘84, ‘88, ‘92, 2000, and 2004 were all no-brainers to me.)
In each case, my thought was to vote for my principles in the primaries, but against my enemies in the generals.
(I do not use the word enemies lightly. I would rather support someone I agree with a third of the time than one I believe intends my country— as I know it— actual harm...one who doesn’t even mean well.)
Results? I did not contribute, by vote or silence, to BJC’s second term; I will not contribute, by vote or silence, to BHO’s first.
McCain-Feingold is the most criminal violation of the Constitution ever. No politicians who wants to regulate my right to criticize him will ever get my vote.
Real conservatives are on the same page with you, brother. They didn't vote for BJC. They're not voting for BHO either.
BTW, I haven't heard many conservatives say they're voting for BHO, have you?