Democrats love chaos. Few will admit it but nothing gets our blood flowing like an ugly primary blood bath. Thankfully, we are in a period of relative internal calm right now. 2012 is the only the second presidential primary cycle since 1964 where Democrats aren't sinking their teeth in each other's jugulars.
But what's a trouble making Democrat to do in the interim? I think I have a solution. A solution that will cause maximum discomfort for the power brokers of the GOP. May I suggest casting a vote for Rick Santorum in Tuesday's GOP presidential primary?
Not Ron Paul or Newt Gingrich. Voting for Ron Paul is wasting your vote. We need to focus our fire on the one real challenger to Romney left standing. While it may be amusing to cast a vote for either of those walking punch lines, the real opportunity to embarrass Romney is to cast your vote for Rick Santorum.
Sure the good government types and party purists will look down their noses at the thought of loyal Democrats casting a vote in the GOP Primary. It's easy to render moral and ethical judgment on those people actually in trenches slugging it out against the GOP if you don't ever get your hands dirty.
I am not concerned with the ethical or moral implications of voting in the GOP primary and neither should you be. Heck, even the pro-Obama Super PAC -- Priorities USA -- is up with an ad here in Michigan trashing Mitt's record on the auto bailouts.
The fact is Michigan's Republicans rammed a bill creating this statewide primary through the legislature to the cost of $10,000,000 paid for by us -- Joe and Jane Taxpayer. That gives me, and hopefully you, free reign to make mischief and maybe deliver a mortal wound to the Romney campaign.
Let's be clear though -- chances are good Mitt Romney will be the GOP nominee regardless of what happens in Michigan. But we can assist in making it as costly for Romney and his corporate supporters as possible. It is in every Democrats best interest for this process to continue right up until the GOP convention.
Imagine a 1968 redux only with supply-siders and Republican Tea Partiers battling it out in the streets instead of hippies and Chicago police. I would wager the American public would render any political party with a brokered convention as unfit to run the government. We can help create that out come this Tuesday.
Now some will say that we could actually help deliver the nomination to Santorum and we may regret that outcome.
Don't be distracted by the sideshow. Santorum matters little on Tuesday. He is only a convenient vessel to embarrass Romney on the national stage. The Romney people have set the bar so high in Michigan through their massive spending Romney needs to win a resounding victory in Michigan of at least 10 percent to beat expectations and quell the demands for a stronger nominee. The national press is ready to tell the story that Romney got beat on his home turf. You can help make that happen.
The Michigan Republican Party delegate selection plan provides that of the 30 delegates to the national convention, 28, or two per each of Michigan's 14 congressional districts, will be awarded based on a winner-take-all determination within each congressional district. The remaining two delegates will be awarded based on the proportionate vote of the entire statewide primary vote. So, for example, if Santorum wins in 8 congressional districts he would wind up with 16 delegates plus one more based on the statewide vote, or 17 delegates. Under this scenario, the end result would be Santorum 17, Romney 13.
There are various scenarios being tossed around by pollsters and pundits alike that show either Mitt or Santorum could walk out of Michigan with a majority of delegates.
And at the heart of it this is all about delegates, but we can help mold the perception of whoever wins on Tuesday night by ignoring the opportunity to vote for Gingrich or Ron Paul. Cast your vote for Santorum for maximum effect and maximum havoc. Don't waste your vote for Ron Paul. He has no chance of walking out of Michigan with even one delegate under the current rules.
To vote in the Republican primary a voter simply needs to request to do so. You don't need to say that you are a Republican, and you would still be able to vote in the Michigan Democratic Party May 5 caucuses, and to re-elect President Obama in November.
For now, savor the opportunity to cause problems for the other party. After all you are paying for it.
99.9% precincts reporting
| Candidate | Votes | Pct. | Del. |
|---|---|---|---|
 Romney |
409,899 | 41.1% | 15 |
 Santorum |
377,521 | 37.9% | 15 |
 Paul |
115,712 | 11.6% | |
 Gingrich |
65,016 | 6.5% | |
 Others |
29,024 | 2.9% |
100% precincts reporting
| Candidate | Votes | Pct. | Del. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romney |
216,805 | 47.3% | 29 |
| Santorum |
122,088 | 26.6% | |
| Gingrich |
74,110 | 16.2% | |
| Paul |
38,753 | 8.4% | |
| Others |
6,875 | 1.5% |
See, every time a third party receives votes, they become eligible to receive additional public campaign financing for their candidates based on that percentage of votes, leveling the playing field somewhat for the next election. The major political parties view this as a threat, so your third-party vote definitely hasn't been wasted. It's a small blow to the two-party system, and a step towards greater choice in elections.
Voting for a candidate other than the annointed one isn't wasting a vote, either. The nominees of the political parties are still supposed to represent the will of the people. Why vote for someone if you dislike them? Why tell that party that you agree with their selection if you don't? Take a chance; set a trend. If you're willing to vote based on the issues you prioritize, others may be more likely to do so as well.
You don't get a cookie for picking the winner. All you get is the winner. If you don't like the winner in the first place, all you've done is helped that winner pass future legislation that's unlikely to be favorable to you. You're oppressing yourself. Still sound like a good way to spend a vote?
Because that's how the game is played. The Republican's know this better then anyone.
WE have to play that same game. So, I totally Agree with the author - Vote Santorum.
Romney deserves No less..
Don't play "their" game. Voting is a privilege, a responsibility, and the key to maintaining and improving America. Don't waste your vote by casting it for someone you don't like. Vote your conscience; vote your issues; vote your priorities. It's the only way we're ever going to break the rigid two-party system, provide real choices for voters, and return to an America that benefits the majority of its people rather than just the wealthy.
There is nothing mischievous about it at all.
Also, by this comment I assume you're also against the coordinated efforts in many states to undermine the voting rights of minorities and young people by passing overly stringent voter ID laws...such intentional acts against freedom and fairness must not pass your litmus test, either.
The term "men" in that context is like man (for all) or mankind and I think you know that - get real.
Re:the ID issue - completely different. ID laws would apply to anyone and everyone equally, no negative impact on rights of any kind. We need ID to drive, get a passport or even to get on an airplane. Doesn't hurt minorities. Voting is for citizens not all occupants. People should be identified to see if they are a registered voters. Nothing wrong with that.
I do hope that Republicans manage to nominate Santorum though. Conservatives have been saying for 3 years now that McCain lost because he was supposedly "too moderate". Let's put that myth to rest. Go ahead Republicans, nominate Santorum. He'll lose 36 states, and my moderate Republican friends might get their party back from the wingnuts.
The only problem with voting for Santorum is if he actually became president.
You have to decide for yourself if you are willing to risk having voted for that.
If Romney loses Michigan - HUGE loss And embarrassment for Romney, alone.
Give me a break and grow up.
It doesn't matter, because Obama will beat any candidate the Republicans nominate, and probably by a landslide.
Mark my words.
Fanned.