Tough decision here

[BayCityProgressive]

What do i do here guys. A good friend of mine is a Republican city commissioner. he is liberal as far as Republicans go. He was the deciding vote in letting his the city owned hospital unionize and now the union is refusing to help him with his re-election campaign even though he pissed off many GOP by being a union supporter. He is openly gay and a Catholic Democrat is running against him on an ANTI GAY theme. Most of his former donors have been outsourced and the Dem is very wealthy and self financed. he is desperately trying to rais emoney for re-election. Do I help him and campaign for him or not? I am really conflicted because he is a friend and a liberal Republican...but I have NEVER supported any Republican before. Thoughts?

[Patrick_Star]

1. Go for the the Repub

On the national level, GOP candidates have to toe the party line. Less so on the local level. If he's a good friend and you agree with him on the issues, why not? The issues and how someone will deal with the issues are far more important than party affiliation.

[rabbit2484]

2. Give to the better person

Some, although maybe few, republicans have a good heart. If your friend truly does give to him. I know I wouldn't give to any of my RW friends if they were in that position, for they truly believe all RW BS.

Although I have voted for republicans for local village board who I know personally and believe are better people than their opponents.

[seabeyond]

3. i would support him. i voted repug last spring for state senator

i know the guy and his competitor was a repug from another town i didnt know. was worth me voting in the guy i know as opposed to a winner i dont know. a dem wasnt going to even come close. but it does leave the door open knowing a state senator

[TahitiNut]

4. Issues trump party, as far as I'm concerned.

:shrug:

[BillZBubb]

5. I would vote for a yellow dog,

before I would vote for ANY Repug. If the guy is a Repug, he's a bum. That's the sad truth. How could any gay person be a Repug now? How could any thinking person be a Repug after seeing Reagan and Bush? How could any decent person be a Repug after Iraq?????? He may be a friend socially, but he is the enemy politically.

[bonzotex]

6. If you think he's the best guy, support him.

On the other hand, a liberal republican is an oxymoron. Tell him his party has left him. He probably already knows that. Time for him to take stock of his convictions and decide to change parties or run as an independent. If he feels strongly about maintaining his Republican label he should be aware that there are good, smart people that won't vote for him simply because of that affiliation.

on edit:

As a friend I might support him emotionally, but not politically and I wouldn't vote for him on a republican ticket. I would tell him that and exactly why his party offends me so much it overrides my respect for him.

[jobycom]

7. Well, I wouldn't support an anti-gay Democrat, that's for sure

And we aren't talking a federal office, so the party balance isn't as important.

Still, I'm not sure I could campaign for a Republican.

If you really want to support the guy, and if the Dem is as bad as you say, start a "Democrats for X" campaign, so you clealy state your party affiliation, but stand by what sounds like the more Democratic ideals of the Republican in this case. Realize that you will lose respect in the local party for doing it.

Also, if this would be a critical swing vote on your city council, and if the council is set up so that party matters (it is the opposite in my city), then your choice is harder. I wouldn't campaign for him, then.

But I still wouldn't support an anti-gay Dem, unless the only other option was a much worse Republican.

[belle]

8. agreed with #6 and 7.

[bobbieinok]

9. he agrees with everything you believe in except party label...work for

him and talk sense to the union people

[sandnsea]

10. hypothetically speaking

we are talking hypotheticals here right? Because what kind of wild coincident would it be to have a gay Republican and an anti-gay Catholic on the ballot at the same time! Well, an anti-gay Catholic wouldn't be so odd, but one who also isn't anti-abortion and hasn't turned Republican himself??? Very peculiar coincident for sure.

I'm pretty sure you'll resolve your "conflict" before you get a headache or anything.