Tomorrow, I will do something I haven't ever done.  I will sit out an election.  However, it is strictly in symbolic protest against the presumptive nominee, who, after my biggest political gut-check ever, will get my vote in November.  

This is an excruciating decision for me because if you have read any of these postings over the years you know my contempt for McCain is wide and deep.  I will never forgive McCain Feingold and because of it can never be an enthusiastic supporter.  But larger circumstances surround this particular election and NOW is a tipping point in history.  Quite frankly the way it will fall if Democrats win scares me more than McCain.  Make no mistake, either scenario is scary enough.  In this election the only thing we have is fear itself.

I am probably representative of hard core conservatives who are rightfully disgruntled and decided they just can't buy what the GOP has to sell this time around.  This is, at least in part, a repudiation of Bush because in our hearts we suspected his northeastern roots would sprout and influence his policies but, then as now, he was the most conservative of the two, so we took a chance.  The Flounder factor prevailed (i.e. hey, you fucked up, you trusted us) Once bitten twice shy and fool me once are adages that come into play this time around. 

In his defense Bush got some things right, specifically, taxes, judges, with a Mulligan on Meirs that is, and the war on terror.  Taking the battle to their home turf has a lot more to do with the lack of subsequent attacks here than we will ever know, or some will never admit, but the fundamental change from an appeasing crouch to an aggressive offense will go down as his legacy and favorably so.

In any case, in those three areas, in words at least, McCain is more closely aligned than any alternative.  I am now resolved to not like but accept the lesser of two evils with which we will be left in November.

It took a lot of soul searching and a hell of a lot of compromise on my part, but in the end I am an activist, and activists don't sit out, especially when the game gets rough. I guess that makes me a clothespin conservative....      

A clothespin conservative is one who will hold their nose and vote GOP, not due to enthusiasm generated by an election that can only produce an "it's-your-turn" candidate, but because there is a war on, a war Democrats have promised to lose.

A clothespin conservative will hope against hope that McCain's conservative campaign promises will prevail over his liberal legislative history.  

A clothespin conservative will hold their nose and vote for the most conservative candidate even if it comes down to the lesser of two liberals.  

A clothespin conservative will vote GOP because it's best for the troops, for the safety of those still fighting, the wounded survivors, and especially, so those lost will not have died in vain.

A clothespin conservative will vote the party not the man in hopes the former can survive the latter intact.

A clothespin conservative understands that in our political system, such as it is, the only vote that counts is for  either a Republican or Democrat. Period.  It is the only home conservatives have. 

A clothespin conservative grudgingly admits that sitting out is a defacto vote for the opposition, and as such, is the worst of three evils, standing silent at a crucial time in our history.

A clothespin conservative should not be expected to work for or financially support the GOP candidate.

A clothespin conservative, to quote Patton, finds losing repugnant, just as repugnant as modern liberalism, which is sure to flourish more with a Democratic victory.

A clothespin conservative does not ascribe to the belief that ceding a crucial election now for the sake of reinvigorating the movement later is wise and the only thing worse than losing is quitting.

A clothespin conservative recognizes this as the most consequential election in our lifetime, and arguably since Lincoln was elected as the first Republican, and therefore cannot stand silent and leave it up to others. 

A clothespin conservative appreciates that if the slide toward socialism, along with the corollary decline of capitalism, is inevitable, we are still, as patriots, morally obligated to slow it down as best we can.

So that's where I'll stand. And truth be told, it's not all that comfortable. If a vote is an endorsement then McCain has mine, but that's where it ends.  Suffice it to say it's we conservatives who need hope more than anybody.