Reply #18: I live in upstate NY.

[H2O Man]

The two counties where I tend to be the most politically active are largely republican. There are races where no democrat is in the running. If the choice is voting for a republican, a green party candidate, or simply not voting, I am going to vote my conscience.

In a place like this, it is important to understand how to organize a coalition. If I expect my friends who are greens, socialists, or something else, to listen to me when I want them to support a democratic candidate, then I must be willing to listen to them.

I always thought that one of Governor Cuomo's greatest strengths was his ability to listen to other people. That is a quality that the republicans view as a weakness. Our party will not be well served by adopting that republican stance.