Should I vote in a primary if I dont have strong feelings?

[vi5]

Even though it is months away, I can't help wondering. At this point I don't have a favorite candidate. I know I will vote for whoever is running against Bush on the democratic ticket. That's not even a question. But when I look at all of the candidates, none of them makes me feel any kind of fire that makes me want to go "Yeah...this is our man.....he/she NEEDS to be our candidate.

Now it goes without saying that not voting in a presidential, senatorial, congressional, whatever race is not an option for me (and most on here I'm sure). But is it bad to not vote in a primary if there is no candidate that elicits that sense of passion in me? Will my not voting in the primary end up helping someone like Leiberman? I can see any number of reasons to support or not support Dean, Kerry, Edwards, Kucinich, Graham, even Gephardt, Sharpton, or Mosley Braun. But if I don't feel passionate, is it disingenuous to cast a vote for any of them?

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure things will change by the time the primaries roll around. But assuming that next year I feel the same sense of shrugged shoulders as I do now, do I pull a lever just for the sake of pulling a lever?

Thoughts?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. Yes, vote for Kucinich

If you don't have a preference, vote for my preference!

[BOSSHOG]

2. Your primary vote does count

Use your general election logic for the primary election. You have obviously decided who you will NOT for in the general election. I very seldom vote for anybody, but I never miss an election. Who do you NOT want to get the nomination and vote in the primary accordingly. Between now and your primary I'm sure you can whittle your list down to that lesser of nine candidates. Besides, when Wesley Clark enters the race on Labor Day you'll have someone to vote FOR.

[quinnox]

3. I wouldn't if I felt what you described

If you feel no connection at all with any of the candidates, then I wouldn't vote in the primary.

[DagmarK]

4. Do something to make yourself have strong feelings for a candidate....

If you are just lukewarm about it.....then you haven't invested yourself in the issues and the differences in the candidates. I am sure you have to a large extent...but if by your primary time you still feel the same, do what you can to find a candidate that DOES get you fired up. One of them is going to be the president......it makes sense for you to do the work NOW to help determine who you think would be the best president. Ya know? (In fact, that's kind of your job in a democracy, eh?)