Representative Ron Paul hedged recently when asked whether he'd support the Republican nominee, regardless of who it might be and it's a safe bet it won't be him.
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?
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.
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.