My first Presidential election
I remember my first Presidential election. Even then I leaned left, but because I didn't want to be consider myself beholden to any party, I registered Independent.
I liked the Democratic candidate in the race for the most part, agreed with him on most issues, and preferred for him to win. I know I didn't want the Republican candidate--who I disagreed with on most issues--to win.
But in my foolish 20 year old mind, because there were a small number of issues where I disagreed with the Democratic candidate (and Democrats in general) I decided I couldn't vote my conscience for the Democrat even though I agreed with him for the most part. So I decided I would abstain my vote.
It was 2000. The Democratic candidate was Al Gore. You know the rest of the story.
Needless to say I haven't skipped a single election since--primary, general, local, special. If I learned anything from 2000, it's that refusing to vote for someone because you might disagree with 10% of what he or she believes can often lead to disasterous consequences.
And that one's personal philosophy and belief system can only travel so far in the face of reality at the voting booth.
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