Please don't pull a Republican Ballot!

[Casper]

There is a lot of temptation to vote in the Republican Primary on Tuesday, July 18. I understand the impulse to switch over and vote against Ralph Reed.

There are a number of reasons that Democrats should not do this.

First, and most important, there are great Democrats running in state-wide races who have worked hard for months (some of them for over a year) because they have a vision and a desire to govern.

Second, I don't know how many times we have to hear it before it sinks in: Ralph Reed is bad, but Casey Cagle is NO BETTER. In fact, there are many who believe Cagle may be worse for Georgia. Plus, it's unlikely that a few Democrats crossing over to vote against Reed will have much impact.

And, last. Primaries are for the parties to select their candidates. Personally, I believe in closed primaries and party registration. Since we don't have either in Georgia, it's up to us as individuals to respect each parties opportunity to select their candidates.

So, if you're considering crossing over and pulling a Republican ballot, please reconsider. The Democrats running for Governor; Lt Governor; Secretary of State; State School Superintendent; etc. need your support - as do any running in primaries in their districts.

[RebelOne]

1. Don't worry, I will be voting a straight Democratic ballot. n/t

[Debau2005]

2. Agreed

I would never want to be seen voting Repub anyway!

[Dawgs]

3. Okay, but...

A Ralph Reed victory is a win for the Republicans nationally. Plus the guy makes me want to puke. I don't know anything about Cagle, other than he's a dumbass Republican.

[bunkerbuster1]

4. You missed another reason not to cross over.

Once you've voted Gooper, you'll be on the Gooper lists as a "Gooper Voter." That's how phone banking is done--they identify the likely Republicans (or Democrats) by which primary ballot they pulled.

I've been receiving ghastly direct mail stuff from these assholes, horrible phone calls, and mostly I'm just offended that they think I'm a Republican voter.

Lastly, I'm not going to absolve myself of the responsibility to pick the Democratic candidate for Gov, even though I still don't know who I'm voting for!

[Alpharetta]

6. How do phone banks know which ballot I pulled? n/t

[bunkerbuster1]

8. Not sure of the mechanics, but it's public information

apparently.

Yeah, I was a little surprised when I learned, as well. I guess that while our individual vote is secret (yarite--hi, Diebold!), whether you requested a Dem or Gooper ballot most certainly is not.

But when you think about it, many (if not most?) states require an official party affiliation registration in advance, in order to vote in a primary, so that's no less private.

[RebelOne]

9. Because when you go in to vote, you have to fill

out a form stating whether you are voting Republican or Democrat. They have all your info in their computers anyway.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

12. getting on the thug mailing list is great

how else do you know what they are up to?

[CottonBear]

5. Who are you supporting on the statewide Democratic ticket?

I was considering crossing over and voting against Reed (the only contested election in my city is a 3-way Soliciter Generals race - all Democrats). However, I may not do that now that i;ve read your post. Who do you think has the best chance to beat eihter Reed or Cagle for SoS?

[Jawja]

7. I disagree.

I WILL be voting Repug today for the lone purpose of voting against Ralph Reed.

I will throw the Repub mail in the trash; or better still, send it back on their postage with comments expressing my sentiments on the Repug party.

[Iris]

10. I'm voting Republican in the primaries from now on.

Mostly b/c I figure GA is going to be red for a long, long time, so I can at least have some say in what kind of nut is going to run this show.

So, for now, "I'm not a Republican, I just play one on primary election day."

[NoAmericanTaliban]

13. Don't forget to put some rocks in the Repuke mail backs

so they have to pay more postage :)

[Jawja]

14. Will do!

Thanks for the suggestion! :hi:

[CanOfWhoopAss]

11. My county/district is solid red so to shake things up i'm voting thug

I see your point in well balanced districts and races but I wasn't going to leave it up to Diebold and Reed in a general election.