theatlantic: The Case Against the Protest Vote: Remember Ralph Nader? Like so many others, I was moved by Conor Friedersdorf’s piece last month here at The Atlantic, titled “Why I Refuse to Vote for Barack Obama,” which touched profoundly on some of the great political and moral questions surrounding the coming election. I have been thinking about it for weeks now, knowing that I wanted to respond, but until just a few days ago it hadn’t dawned on me how I could do so in a manner relevant to some public question. I think I’ve figured it out now, my argument against Conor’s cri de coeur. I am sure I was not alone in thinking, when I first read the piece, of Ralph Nader and his role in the 2000 election. Do I believe that all of the voters who cast ballots for Nader that year were acting in good conscience? You bet. Do I think that their votes helped deprive Al Gore of the votes he needed to win 270 electoral votes? You bet. Do I think that those Nader voters got a far worse deal from their government with George W. Bush than they would have with Al Gore? Yes. In theory, the “protest vote” is noble. In practice, in an imperfect world, it can be calamitous. Read more. [Image: Reuters]

theatlantic:

The Case Against the Protest Vote: Remember Ralph Nader?

Like so many others, I was moved by Conor Friedersdorf’s piece last month here at The Atlantic, titled “Why I Refuse to Vote for Barack Obama,” which touched profoundly on some of the great political and moral questions surrounding the coming election. I have been thinking about it for weeks now, knowing that I wanted to respond, but until just a few days ago it hadn’t dawned on me how I could do so in a manner relevant to some public question. I think I’ve figured it out now, my argument against Conor’s cri de coeur.

I am sure I was not alone in thinking, when I first read the piece, of Ralph Nader and his role in the 2000 election. Do I believe that all of the voters who cast ballots for Nader that year were acting in good conscience? You bet. Do I think that their votes helped deprive Al Gore of the votes he needed to win 270 electoral votes? You bet. Do I think that those Nader voters got a far worse deal from their government with George W. Bush than they would have with Al Gore? Yes. In theory, the “protest vote” is noble. In practice, in an imperfect world, it can be calamitous.

Read more. [Image: Reuters]

Oct. 18 2012
Via The Atlantic
157 notes

Notes

  1. awesomeocelot reblogged this from theatlantic
  2. bookwormbreakfast reblogged this from theatlantic and added:
    I actually voted the day that I found this article, and I’m glad I read it before I made my decision. It’s a really...
  3. usurpthecity reblogged this from theatlantic
  4. gingerthon reblogged this from the-stars-turned-to-lightning
  5. the-stars-turned-to-lightning reblogged this from darksideoftherainbow
  6. darksideoftherainbow reblogged this from theatlantic
  7. nox-aeris reblogged this from theatlantic
  8. fantabulism reblogged this from theatlantic and added:
    So much agreement. Protest Votes, especially for president, may be noble but are impractical.
  9. readinglist32 reblogged this from theatlantic
  10. excessivetalk reblogged this from theatlantic
  11. tehamazingone reblogged this from theatlantic
  12. theyawningabyss reblogged this from huggs-boson and added:
    I know I have A LOT of friends that follow me that are voting third party (because drone strikes) so I’m really...
  13. sinfulsolace reblogged this from theatlantic
  14. huggs-boson reblogged this from huggs-boson
  15. heenzbeanz reblogged this from theatlantic
  16. ramblingsofemily reblogged this from theatlantic and added:
    YES TO THE WHOLE LAST PARAGRAPH!!!
  17. bco reblogged this from theatlantic
  18. arisedonthate reblogged this from theatlantic
  19. 7see reblogged this from theatlantic
  20. nicksmanifold reblogged this from theatlantic and added:
    This article highlights some good points against casting protest votes and even outright non-voting tendencies. It...
  21. sensiblestupidity reblogged this from theatlantic