Don't even bother wasting your vote!

United States
October 14, 2008 7:59pm CST
I was listening to some of the political shows today and from what I heard, they're acting as if Obama has already won the Presidency. As if it's already a done deal, so why not swear him in as President, even though we haven't had an election. I think it's just a ploy to keep Republicans away from the voting booths in November. And if they can scare away a couple thousand Republican voters, that might be all that's needed to swing the final total in favor of Obama. What do you think? If you knew that Obama was practically guaranteed to win, would you still vote for McCain anyway? Or, would you feel as if it were a waste of a vote? Do you think these are just scare tactics to keep Republicans from voting?
5 people like this
14 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
15 Oct 08
It's standard political rhetoric, bq. Depending on which way the program leans, their guy is ahead or has it all tied up. That's why everyone should vote, regardless of who they support or what the polls say. It's not over until it's over.
2 people like this
@redkathy (3374)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Yep I will still vote for McCain! Not voting is disrespecting all the women who fought, suffered, and sacrificed to obtain for us the right to vote! It's our duty!
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Oct 08
Isn't it weird to think that we actually had to fight to get a right to vote. That's such a strange concept to me. It should be inherent. It should have been an automatic thing. Since, women have to pay taxes and follow the laws, why not be a participant in selecting those people allowed to make the laws and spend the tax money? Goes back to the "no taxation without representation." Just glad we have the vote.
@redkathy (3374)
• United States
15 Oct 08
I don't think it's weird so much as the times were of that mindset where women were beneath men in the rights department. Sure glad they got it straight!
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Condsidering the fact that so many brave men and women have made great sacrifices so that we would have the freedom to do things like vote, I think it would be wrong to pass up on the opportunity. Voting is a privelage and a responsibility! I would vote even if things looked hopeless. Most of the republicans I know will be there bright and early on election day to make sure Obama is not ever sworn into office. God forbid.
1 person likes this
@MissGia (955)
• United States
15 Oct 08
I am totally voting this year. I didnt get to vote in 2004 because my father didnt send my absentee ballot to me while in college. After having a republican in office for 8 years and nothing positive has come of it..I'm so voting for Obama. I'd rather move to a different country than have to deal with another republican in office.
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
15 Oct 08
A vote is never wasted whether your candidate wins or not. It is your way of having your say in the government and they really don't know. There have been upsets in Presidential elections before and I actually know a few Democrats who are voting for McCain so that says something. I am a Republican and even though I am in a Democratic state and my vote often gets lost in the masses of Democratic votes, I will be voting. I vote every year in every election. Its my right, privilege and duty to vote. There are people out there who wish they had the freedom to vote like we do and many people here take it for granted and don't ever vote. That saddens me.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Oct 08
I'm going to be working at the polls this year and actually just got back from the training. The state (of FL) is expecting record breaking turnouts at the polls. It's still anyones game and those who choose not to vote have no right to complain! I am going to vote early and vote Obama and make sure that my vote counts! My only hope is that FL gets it's act together this election and that all the vote will be counted properly!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Oct 08
I say that no matter what the media says, go out there and vote. Vote because you are doing a service to your country. Vote, so that you can tell everyone that you did vote. Believe it or not, every vote counts.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85269)
• United States
15 Oct 08
I don't know, but I don't take the media seriously at all. They lie and they are biased. They won't keep me away from voting no matter who they say is in the lead. For some reason the media thinks we need them to make up our mind. I don't want propagada, I want the truth. And sometimes we have to search for it on our own, without the influence of TV commercials and campaign agendas. And that goes for both candidates. : )
@greysfreak (1384)
• United States
15 Oct 08
This is very irritating, the media and some people do act like it's a done deal. And the facts are, it won't be over till November 4th, when the final ballot has been cast and counted! I don't really believe the polls anyway, and I think you are right--they are trying to discourage people from voting. I will say this, I am not a republican, I'm more independent/middle of the road/easy going, and I don't agree with McCain on everything, but I have read a lot, and surprisingly found more about him that I agree with, although I kinda agree with both sides on certain issues. Anyway, my point is, the last time I proudly and decisively voted democrat--and even as of the election results, I kinda felt they called states way too quickly at times. But that's ancient history. Then there was the primaries this year, I had just moved, so things were crazy and I wasn't able to register because you had to register so far in advance. Well, my new state voted for the candidate I was gonna vote for anyway, but seeing the primaries all along, they basically seemed to say Obama was gonna win--and to me, it kinda seems like they were saying "you might as well not vote". It really bugs me, because I always thought that voting was a right and responsibility, and something that was private (unless you wanted to share), but now it seems to be something that can be bought and sold, or even guilted. It really bugs me that a lot of people will probably watch these polls and even the incoming polls on the 4th and say "oh well, my vote means nothing anyway". So I think you are completely right, they might as well just coronate Obama tomorrow at this rate--the media decided they wanted him long ago. The worst part for me is, I was actually considering "voting along party lines", but the media has gotten to me, and since I think with MY brain, maybe it's better that I didn't make registration deadline, because I personally resent being told who to agree with and vote for. I know this will probably bug a lot of people, but honestly, I think we as a country are out of control--this race has never really been fair. I do respect everyone's decision, whether they are voting for McCain or Obama, especially since I really have no loyalties to either.. but I don't respect anyone who lets the media talk them into voting for someone they don't really believe in--oh, by the way, I am not implying this about anyone here at mylot, I am talking about observations in real life. I will scream the next time I hear someone on the news says "President Obama", that is, until he wins, then of course, I will be in a bad mood for a few days, as will the hardcore McCain supporters I'm sure.. then I will slip back into the complacent bubble I have been in for the past 8 years. I'll be honest, I hope that republicans get their butts out and vote, and yes, democrats too.. I want this to be a knock down, drag out to THE END! At least get some entertainment. So many more democrats voted in the primaries, compared to republicans, and if that happens in the general, well--it obviously won't be a representative sample. So I really hope more people get out there. So people get their voices heard. No matter what petty fights we tend to have here, we all have valid opinions, we are Americans. On a side note, I can't answer your question about voting personally, because I didn't get to register, but at this point I am pretty sure I would be voting for McCain despite the "polls", I mean, practically speaking, Obama has yet to seal the deal as they say--it's not done till it's done. Also, speaking from a conversation with my dad, he is not particularly crazy about either option, but he has been turned off of voting for Obama because of the media, just like me.. and he actually thinks McCain is gonna win, but he doesn't know of course. He said if he votes it will be for McCain, and as far as the polls, we were discussing how Obama should really be much more ahead nationally, considering he is the democrat, and so many people are mad at the republicans. Anyway, sorry this is so long, I'm getting tires, and foggy-headed right now. LOL And I might get hate mail, but so be it, I'm entitled to my opinion, and I really don't intend to be rude. Just sharing my 0.02, in the end, I am of the mind that Obama or McCain have about an even chance of gaining my respect once in office, although right now McCain has slightly more, because he has the experience.
• United States
15 Oct 08
You deserve a lot more than two cents for everything you said! Your words are very stirring!
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Wow, sounds like someone is counting the chickens before the eggs are hatched.. No vote is ever wasted, that kind of thinking is what stops people from voting..Whether your candidate wins or not, your vote still counts and is still important.!!!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Oct 08
A few years ago we have a local election, maybe for our govenor or something. Well my husband wanted to vote for one person, but he said it seemed as though the other was going to win anyways, so he decided to vote for the other. Of course the other won, but I still stuck with my gut. Always vote, and never let anything but the issues change your mind.
• United States
16 Oct 08
Okay, so go out and waste your time. Your vote doesn't count, only the electoral college vote counts and guess what? They love Obama. It is over, the fat lady has sung, Obama won.
@evanslf (484)
15 Oct 08
Yes everybody should vote, regardless of what the polls say. Certainly, the polling techniques are far more advanced than they used to be and usually they are right, but not always and polling is always a snapshot: if the polls show Obama ahead by 6% or more come Nov 4 then it is likely he will win as this is outside the margn of error - but you should still vote anyway. However, it is quite possible that the race could tighten up in the final few weeks, we'll see, so it's not over until its over.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Oct 08
I would still vote away because you never know and yes it don't look good for McCain but you just never know and it could be a scare tactic to get people not to vote so they can make sure that Obama wins. We need to fight for our rights with every last breath we have so Please Vote!!!! and it not a wasted vote if your fighting for your right to speak your mind.