I Voted, Part Deux:
The Day I Voted for a Republican

For years, I've told people to vote for the person with the (d) behind their name. So I have to admit that it was even a little weird for me voting for a Republican, outside of USAC elections of course. But I realized what seemed like a big deal to me, really isn't nor should be.

As a true blue Democrat, I voted for nearly every Democrat on my California ballot because I sincerely believe they are better and they matched up with my ideology. Usually these two factors go hand in hand but occassionally there are exceptions. This election, that exception was for Insurance Commissioner. Do I vote for Lt. Gov Cruz Bustamante, a man who's ineffective, incompetent, and questionably corrupt but a Democrat? Or do I vote for Steve Poizner, a man who has received most newspaper endoresements because they believe he'll be much more better for the consumers instead of insurance companies, but a Republican who could eventually climb up the state office ladder?

Ok, so my analysis of the two guys was a little biased, but I think now that I have written it out, I am much more confident in my decision to vote for Poizner. If this were a Congressional seat, where the candidate's party affiliation would have national reprocussions, I might be a little more hesitant But this is insurance commissioner, where individual performance is everything and party affiliation is pretty much just the way you get elected.

And frankly, I question whether Cruz actually wants this position or it's just his next step in the game of state official musical chairs. Can you really take a guy seriously when he has campaign ads that basically say "I was once fat, but now I'm not. Vote for me." (click here to watch) And I think out of all people, party loyalists should know that he hasn't served us or the state all that greatly. If anything, Dems should give him the boot because he embodies that sleazy politician, and we certainly don't need that.

Finally, I almost feel like it would be hypocritical for me to vote for the less qualified and probably corrupt politician just because of a party affiliation. Tomorrow, I expect thousands of Republicans to look beyond their traditional party affiliations for the betterment of the country, certainly I should do the same. I sure don't think I'll make it a habit to vote for Republicans, even if my friends think I'm secretly one, but I do like handing in my ballot where I'm confident with all of my choices. Let's just hope I'm as confident with the results. We'll find out tomorrow!