I think many people think along the lines:
- The Democratic party is not distancing itself (i.e. its policies) enough from the Repulican party.
- Perhaps it is time to vote for another party that will.
When they mention the second point, they inevitably get pounded by some for "lessening the number of votes the Democrats get and thus for indirectly putting a Republican administration back in office".
I my opinion, the days when that argument held up are now very numbered.
If presidential elections were held every two years, I would say "people should always vote with their hearts" every time (Moreover, it is easier for voters to remebmer the number of mistakes an administration makes in two years than to remember the number of mistakes it makes in 4-8 years.). The problem is that 4 years is just too long politically in some ways.
It appears, however, that we may have the unique chance to do to fight off the above argument- and the fact that some are even taunting us to do it shall hardly lesson our resolve.
Never before have I heard some of the outright damning language coming from the "ultra-conservative" part of the country- the part of the country I was brought up in- when talking to relatives over the last few days.
Conclusion: The Republican Party is going to lose the next presidential election even if the Democrats nominated Micky (or Minnary!) mouse. So vote with your hearts!
In reference to the last link, it was not Jesse Ventura and wrestling but rather sentiments expressed Ralph Nader's Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan along with the apocalyptic ways we are going about shaping our planet for the millenia to come (What do you think: did Katrina evolve or was she intelligently designed?) which had my heart longing to support another party - though my head may still seem to question it.
By the way, there was an excellent diary posted here recently on the "End of conservatism as we know it" but I can't find it because I forgot the exact title. Perhaps someone can post another link here...thanks!