What should those who will likely vote for President Obama do between now and when? I am personally watching the GOP nomination contest and thinking about voting in that primary for the candidate I could see in the White House.
Yes, yes, I know that conventional wisdom dictates that Obama supporters should be cheering for the zaniest Republican—someone the president will have an easier chance of beating in November 2012. But, this situation isn’t a game and it’s no joke. The economic future of the nation is in the balance and candidate Obama said that he should be fired if the country didn’t improve (I still hope it does and I would have hoped for the same thing if McCain was in White House.)
If unemployment is over 9% and gas over $4.00 a gallon, my man might be bounced and he understands that. At that point, moderates could be saying that we should have paid more attention to the GOP field.
(I am on hold with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office to ask if I can pick the R or D ballot in the presidential primary…I think I can.)
In Georgia back in the day, some Republicans in Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s congressional district decided that voting in the Democratic primary was the only way to get her and her really liberal views out of congress. Denise Majette was elected and while she was no conservative, she was more reasonable on Georgia issues than her predecessor. Thanks to the Georgia GOP for that example and we should consider doing the same thing. President Obama is such a good person that he would want the best person in the office if it isn’t him.
On the other hand, that time and energy could be spent getting out the Democrat vote because a heavy turnout could win Georgia for Obama and we know several states that he won in 2008 need to be replaced.
(I am still on hold with the S of S’s office….must be furlough days.)
Project Logic Ga 
Why vote for the zaniest republican. Gov. Gary Johnson is a great choice. When he was governor of New Mexico the state’s job growth rating was 11.6% the highest of any of the GOP candidates. New Mexico is a 2-1 democratic state and Johnson won twice by 10pts each time. Johnson is also the only candidate who has a positive favorable rating in his home state.
Johnson is a social liberal and fiscal conservative. He’s for ending the war on drugs which disproportionately harms the minority populations. He is anti-war. He is pro-choice. He is in favor of civil unions. Johnson built a one man handy man business into the largest construction business in NM — so he’s worked with unions his whole life and isn’t out to union bust like some Republicans.
So would you rather have Johnson versus Obama, or some zany Republican against him who might beat him?
PS: Did you get your answer on if you can pick the R ballot?
Hardy: Gary Johnson sounds like a Democrat. I didn’t get an official answer but I basically know that Georgians can select which ever ballot we like.
He’s definitely very liberal on social issues.
On fiscal issues he’s very much a fiscal conservative. But that doesn’t seem to bother the voters in NM who re-elected him with 59% of the vote his second term.
He vetoed 750 bills. (Only 2 vetoes were overturned)
He cut the state workforce by 10% without firing anyone.
He left NM with a billion dollar plus surplus.
He cut taxes 14 times.
He signed a conceal carry gun law.
He’s opposed to using tax payer money to fund abortions.
He reformed Medicaid by giving all recipients the same health care plan he had as governor — improving health care and reducing costs by 20%.
http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P12/GA-D
Georgia does not register voters by party. Voters publicly declare party preference when they request a primary ballot or Presidential Preference Primary ballot. Records showing the voters’ choice are public record.
For the record, Gary Johnson is typically considered a libertarian. That means he’s not getting nearly enough attention despite having very strong credentials. Truth be told, he’s getting my vote unless he completely implodes or has withdrawn from the race.
Obama has my vote in the general, but I’m voting for Ron Paul in the primary just to keep the Republican circus interesting.