A Defensive Election

Following up on yesterday's post, it occurred to me that our choice in November between McCain and Obama/Clinton will force many conservatives to vote defensively. Defensive vs. Offensive voting has often been a part of the third-party politics debate for some time, and it has relevance to conservatives today. Defensive voting is seen as repugnant by many third party voters, as the basic tenant of voting is an expression of support for a candidate, not in opposition. Hence, the "a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush" argument in 2000. While distasteful to most conservatives, it seems that we have to start getting into a defensive voting mindset in November. We are voting against Obama/Clinton first, and voting for McCain second. It's a defensive election. I don't like it...but that's the hand we've been dealt.