[Jack Black]

Fine, he didn't support Bush in the Primary. Did he support him in the General? I am saying that primaries are the correct (only) place to contest issues of "are you a conservative". Once that process is concluded one votes Republican because then the issue is "Dem or Rep" or throw your vote away as a protest.

[shamusotoole]

He was going to vote Buchanen in the General, or not vote at all. He was purely emotional and no logic would work on him. He ended up voting for GWB and the sockdolager argument came from his adult son, who said, "Sometimes I don't make any sense, but this time you aren't making any."

My friend, Bob (who's a real person), thought about it for a while and finally agreed with his son, and voted GWB, I am happy to report.

I am with you that it should only be a primary issue, but with one caveat, that experience has shown me that Conservatives would sometimes remain penniless rather than have half a nugget, or starve rather than have half a loaf of bread, for the same reasons my friend Bob was going to throw away his vote, pure emotionalism.

The way to have this be only a primary issue, is for an agreement at the outset that the loser gives the winner 100% of his support and backs it up. If a candidate, like Arlen Spector, were to see that he has an important conservative constituency, it could encourage him to a more right wing stance, or scare him.

Thus, whether it turns out to be a blessing or a curse, the outcome largely depends on the Integrity of the candidates, and leaders, that if they can do no good then they should do no harm. A lot is riding on it for us all.