In essence, Dr. Paul replied that his support would wholly depend upon the candidate's willingness to end the war and other positions about which Dr. Paul feels strongly. I respect his fidelity to core principles but I'm not clear why Dr. Paul remains a Republican except perhaps out of political expediency. Several of his views are out of touch with the party mainstream which begs the question -- does party affiliation matter anymore?
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| Shirley Chisholm: Wikipedia |
Growing up in fiercely independent and purple Wisconsin, I recall hearing a familiar line from adults, "I vote for the man, not the party." (And in those days, with few exceptions, like Shirley Chisholm, it was overwhelmingly men).
As an impressionable kid, I respected adults who publicly affirmed beliefs in something higher than party politics. A sincere allegiance to core principles will always trump those screaming people wearing funny hats at the party convention, or so I believed.
Now in my late forties, I'm often skeptical of the "I-vote-for-the-person-not-the-party person." Why? Unless one has a record of voting for both Republicans and Democrats, or a history of supporting third party candidates, the party-less advocate makes a politically safe and meaningless proclamation. True Independents exist to be sure and they may be the most noble voters of all, but nobility is by definition....a rare attribute.
