[stephenjohnbanker]

“” What’s the track record of candidates we’ve had to hold our noses to vote for, so as not to be overpowered by the stench of Rinocrat?

1992...HW pi$$ed away a Desert Storm approval rating, lost to Bubba.

1996...Bob Dole, famously tagged as the tax collector for the welfare state.

2008...John McCain...first to go nuclear on fellow Repubs, but famously said we need not fear a Barack “no middle name” Obama presidency.

Mitt Romney...again went nuclear on fellow Repubs, went limp on Obama.

Those who say we need to hold our noses and vote for the Rinocrat need to show when that’s been a successful strategy.”

Great post!

[noiseman]

You're talking about the presidential races which are one-on-one and therefore different. Where it is absolutely essential to vote for any Republican over any Democrat is in the House and Senate races. In Congress, all that matters in the end is "counting noses." If there are more Democrat noses than Republican noses the Democrats win a ruling majority, get to appoint committee chairs, etc.

The math is inescapable. Voting against your own interests in order to send a message is not rational and is highly unlikely to be effective. The only rational plan is to take over the party from within.