The coalition partners are known variously as the GOP-e, Countryclubbers, Bushbots, Mittbots, Fiscal Conservatives, Social Conservatives, Libertarians, Traditionalists, Religious Right, etc.
Lots of names there, and all of them mean something a little bit different, but one of the RULES in coalition politics is that, in general, you have to agree on the big picture stuff ~ and in the United States that means you agree, in general, on the identity and characteristics of the guy at the top of the ballot ~ who runs for President.
What we have here is a situation where the GOP-e and the Mittbots misused the party's electoral process to select a bad candidate who does not have broad support.
Romney is not supported by the base AND HE DOES NOT CARE!
This is a formula for total disaster.
>> Your argument is based on fear.
That’s at least partly true. I’m voting AGAINST a KNOWN evil. But I don’t see how it matters.
>> the Republican party is a coalition.
OK
>> one of the RULES in coalition politics is that, in general, you have to agree on the big picture stuff ~ and in the United States that means you agree, in general, on the identity and characteristics of the guy at the top of the ballot ~ who runs for President.
The majority of the coalition has to agree, yes.
>> What we have here is a situation where the GOP-e and the Mittbots misused the party’s electoral process to select a bad candidate who does not have broad support.
Ah, here’s where we part ways (in logic if not in ideology).
a) What exactly do you mean by MIS-used? and
b1) If Romney didn’t have broad support, how did he win the primaries going away? and
b2) If Romney didn’t have broad support, how is he neck-and-neck with an incumbent president, pulling away?
Logic pretty much FORCES me to conclude that Romney, like it or not, IS the candidate with BROAD support, even if he’s not MY guy. So, my guy(s) lost and Romney won. I’m not thrilled with that outcome, but what do I do now? Suck it up and vote for the clear lesser of the evils? Or throw a tantrum and help ensure a KNOWN HORRIBLE EVIL ROTTEN outcome?
And: no one has clearly shown me how Obama winning another term will be good for the nation, or conservatism, or me personally, any of those. On the other hand it’s pretty clear that an Obama that need not worry about re-election can and will be poised to wreak utter havoc on the country I love.
In my carefully considered view I must do what is *best*, even if it’s clearly only *marginally* better.