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I was vehemently against McCain as well, but finally, after he was the nominee and Sarah was his pick for VP, decided to vote for him. I bitterly regretted it when he virtually conceded the fight after the financial meltdown that took place shortly before the election.
I vowed never to do that again. Now, I see that we have two candidates who are almost indistinguishable. I don't trust Romney, not after his performance here in Massachusetts. I don't believe that he is a man of integrity, that his word can be trusted, that he is conservative, or that he cares about the citizens of this country. My vote may mean nothing in this liberal state, but it is of great importance to me. It matters to me that I do the right thing. The man who gave us Romneycare, upon which Obamacare was modeled, is no friend of mine.
I can't hold your vote against you FRiend. I was adamantly against Bush for his second term, but voted for him anyway - Very bad move, and the one vote that I really do regret. I split with the Republican Party in 2007 after Duncan Hunter bowed out... That was the final straw for me. If I was interested in smiley people lying their asses off to win a popularity contest, I would just watch the Miss America Pageant. At least the contestants are easy on the eyes... These elections have become so hollow as to have no practicable reason for being.
Therefore: There is always a Conservative to vote for, and that is where my vote will go. I will never vote for the big Rhinestone 'R' again. If the Conservative happens to be a Republican, I guess I won't hold it against him : )
But what we are witnessing is the death of the GOP. Many of our FRiends who still adhere to party will wind up with us again eventually. Till then, these painful exchanges will no doubt continue.