Yes, it's true.
In a little over a month, I have decided to walk into my polling place (a church, believe it or not) and pull a lever (actually, complete an incomplete arrow with a golf pencil) for Dr. Ron Paul for the Republican nomination for President.
"But Dale," you may cringe, especially my longtime readers, "what happened to your support for Obama?"
Well, I'm not allowed to vote for Obama, because I'm in Michigan.
I can't vote for Edwards, either. Not even Richardson.
The Party(tm) won't let me. Because Michigan tried (and succeeded) in moving up their primary (which was ruled constitutional), all the candidates I might vote for have pulled out of the state, refusing to campaign here, or even have their names on the ballot.
So my choices are:
[ ] Hillary Clinton
[ ] Chris Dodd
[ ] Dennis Kucinich
[ ] Mike Gravel
Thanks, but no thanks.
Besides, even if I WAS a huge Dodd or Clinton fan, it wouldn't matter anyway, since The Party(tm) has ruled that the winner is null and void, and no Michigan delegates will count. Sorry, Hillary -- even though you helped rig this election to give you all of Michigan's delegates, you won't get any help at all.
As an aside, wouldn't it be SO. FREAKIN. COOL. if it's virtually tied between Obama and Clinton with regards to number of delegates, and Obama's a little bit ahead, and Clinton would have had all of Michigan's delegates in her total, but The Party(tm) wouldn't let Michigan count? Can you imagine the fighting and pandemonium as TPTB tried to change their mind and count Michigan's votes after all, just so Clinton could win? Ohhh baby. If that happens I'll be a giddy politics fanboy for weeks. You just wait. It could happen.
Anyhoo, back to Paul.
Michigan's primary is open, so I have the choice of either (1) not voting, (2) voting in a worthless Democratic primary, or (3) voting in a Republican primary where I could make a difference in who our opponent will be in 2008. And voting for Ron Paul would piss off the Republican Party the most, because the more money he earns, and the more primary votes he wins, the more the Republicans have to spend out of their (weak) war chest to shut him up, counter his ads, and treat him seriously. Helping Republicans lose money is a very valuable tool this election.
Or, if by some fluke, enough people cross primaries to vote for Ron Paul nationwide and he gets the nomination, then ooh goody goody goody goody goody. :) Finally, our chance for a Reagan-style sweep. It's win-win.
So come on, fellow Michigan Dems. Call your friends, have a few pre-primary cocktails, and go in and vote for Dr. Paul with your head held high. Just don't let the Michigan Militia member and Ron Paul supporter in front of you see the LBGT rights sticker on your Prius.