# Hillary: "Vote your conscience" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 25, 2016, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842 "2016-07-25T12:21:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/21 "2016-07-25T15:08:24Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if Bernie Sanders used his speech tonight to echo the same theme – anyone with any social conscience should avoid Trump and make sure Clinton gets elected, or something like that. So all that stuff he said about Wall Street, and bad trade deals, he didn’t mean it? It’s starting to look like he’s selling out. I’ll be very interested in hearing what his actual case for Clinton is going to be, assuming he even bothers to make one beyond the perfunctory, “I’m Bernie Sanders and I’m supporting Hillary Clinton cuz Democrats”. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/22 "2016-07-25T15:27:46Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > So all that stuff he said about Wall Street, and bad trade deals, he didn’t mean it? It’s starting to look like he’s selling out. I’ll be very interested in hearing what his actual case for Clinton is going to be, assuming he even bothers to make one beyond the perfunctory, “I’m Bernie Sanders and I’m supporting Hillary Clinton cuz Democrats”. It doesn’t strike me as being a hard message to deliver if the man A) loves his country, and b) Can get over himself. It writes itself, really; "Over this course of this year Secretary Clinton and I have engaged in a ferocious campaign for the nomination. The Democratic Party has spoken, and she has prevailed. I concede defeat in my effort to win the nomination of the Democratic Party. There are areas where Hillary and I disagree, which is natural for two adults to do, even if they are of the same political party. On some of those issues, we have spoken and she has agreed to take those concerns seriously and to take action on them. Whatever we have disagreed on in the course of the nomination process, the fact remains that Hillary Clinton is a distinguished leader, an experienced public servant, an accomplished woman, and a person who is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans. She will make an excellent President. Her obvious capabilities are especially contrasted with the risk we face of a Trump presidency. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump is a man of no ethics, no morals, and no patriotism. He is a liar and a cheat, and will cause harm to our great nation. Never in the history of our Republic has the contrast between two presidential candidates been as great; one one hand, in Hillary Clinton, a proven leader who will work to keep America great and make it greater still. On the other, Donald Trump, a fool and a liar who will damage this country to enrich himself. He is the most dishonest, self-interested, and immoral person to ever run for President, and he is a danger to all Americans. I love America and I love Americans, and so I will be voting Hillary Clinton for President, and I ask that you do the same." You could expand on that, but it’s the basic message and no selling out. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/23 "2016-07-25T15:30:05Z")
Yeah, that is good, actually. I’m not sure it will sway Bernie voters whose primary issues are Wall Street and/or trade, but it should bring most Democrats on board. That’s assuming he doesn’t pull a Ted Cruz. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/24 "2016-07-25T15:54:22Z")
Bernie WILL NOT pull a Cruz. He just won’t. You know, why? He is not Ted Cruz, and Hilary is not Trump. Trump did attack Heidi Cruz in a very personal and mean spirited way. He attacked Cruz using childish insults and tactics that went beyond political, and were blatantly personal attacks. Cruz, on the other hand, is a mean and ruthless political SOB. So, neither of things exist in the case of Bernie and Hilary. For all their squabbles, it never got as over the line as the Trump-Cruz fight did. Bernie will make a speech that is 98% “let’s get behind the candidate” and maybe 2% “I was right in this way” There will be no revolt. I love that 'pubbies hang on to their dreams though. It’s cute. Still hoping for that indictment too, right? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/25 "2016-07-25T15:56:38Z")
No need for an indictment. Comey damaged Clinton enough already. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/26 "2016-07-25T16:00:43Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > And no, “vote your conscience” is exactly the opposite of “vote for the lesser of two evils” Hardly. If the vote is between two imperfect candidates, one whose worst crime in office will be “maintaining the status quo” - which, if you’ve looked around lately, is not all that bad in most respects - and one who has stated he’s going to destroy everything that’s been worked for in foreign and domestic progress since WWII, and take the economy with it… if your “conscience” doesn’t direct you to a choice there, regardless of what else you might think, I’m not sure you know what the word means. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/27 "2016-07-25T16:05:53Z")
I would not be surprised if “vote your conscience” is targeting the “No Bernie? No Vote!” types to get them into the voting booth and, although they won’t vote for Hillary for President, probably will vote for the Democratic party candidate for the House (and Senate, where applicable) - especially if they can get one or more of the sitting members in states where the non-Presidential primaries have not been held yet primaried out if they voted for Clinton at the convention. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/28 "2016-07-25T16:09:10Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Getting them to stay home is only half as good as getting them to vote for her, but it’s still good, and might be a more realistic sales pitch. It might even be better if it helps the Democrats in downstream elections. IMO they need to do a much better job of selling their supporters on the importance of winning seats in the House and Senate. Do it now, when people are paying attention, and maybe they’ll pay attention to the midterms too. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/29 "2016-07-25T16:25:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > So all that stuff he said about Wall Street, and bad trade deals, he didn’t mean it? It’s starting to look like he’s selling out. I’ll be very interested in hearing what his actual case for Clinton is going to be, assuming he even bothers to make one beyond the perfunctory, “I’m Bernie Sanders and I’m supporting Hillary Clinton cuz Democrats”. Perhaps you missed the news, but Bernie Sanders has already endorsed Hillary Clinton. [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/07/12/bernie\_sanders\_endorses\_hillary\_clinton\_will\_make\_an\_outstanding\_president.html](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/07/12/bernie_sanders_endorses_hillary_clinton_will_make_an_outstanding_president.html) > [@](#): > > It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues. That’s what this campaign has been about. That’s what democracy is about. But I am happy to tell you that at the Democratic Platform Committee which ended Sunday night in Orlando, there was a significant coming together between the two campaigns and we produced, by far, the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party. Our job now is to see that platform implemented by a Democratic Senate, a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton president – and I am going to do everything I can to make that happen. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/30 "2016-07-25T16:50:20Z")
CNN just had Sanders explain that, sure, he has his disagreements with Tim Kaine, but on his worst day Kaine is a hundred times better than Donald Trump will ever be. ---
**Author:** ![escaped](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@escaped](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/escaped)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/31 "2016-07-25T17:00:37Z")
am voting my conscience that’s why I vote Gary johynson. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/32 "2016-07-25T17:03:01Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > No need for an indictment. Comey damaged Clinton enough already. Not really, but feel free to keep repeating that. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/33 "2016-07-25T17:06:51Z")
Why is Clinton falling in the polls since before the convention? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/34 "2016-07-25T17:07:25Z")
The e-mail scandal. It’ll probably normalize within a few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/35 "2016-07-25T17:24:31Z")
If I stayed home and didn’t vote and Trump got elected, I don’t think saying “I _personally_ did nothing, therefore my hands and conscience are clean” to myself would let me sleep peacefully. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/36 "2016-07-25T17:25:27Z")
Just use the Obama defense: you had no idea Trump would be a bad President until you read about it in the paper. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/37 "2016-07-25T17:31:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Just use the Obama defense: you had no idea Trump would be a bad President until you read about it in the paper. What are you talking about-“Obama defense”? Is this some Fox thing? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/38 "2016-07-25T18:28:16Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > It might even be better if it helps the Democrats in downstream elections. IMO they need to do a much better job of selling their supporters on the importance of winning seats in the House and Senate. Too complicated. I will give Scott Adams some credit in his analysis of the race; simple sells, and complex does not. Trump uses simple messages that appeals to the emotional side of the brain; I am strong and I will protect you. Everything is dangerous. I am strong, and I will stop the dangerous things. As it happens, for a number of reasons, that message is selling really well right now. “Let’s GOTV to influence downstream…” zzzzzz. That’s going to strike many American voters as either A) boring or B) insulting; screw you, I’ll vote a mixed ticket if I want. The Clinton campaign must concentrate on Clinton being elected President. The message must be simple, consistent, and appeal to emotion, not logic. In my humble opinion, that message should be some variant of “Hillary Clinton is a safe choice, Donald Trump is a dangerous man.” ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/39 "2016-07-25T18:48:52Z")
> [@hkepotat](#): > > I saw it more as being aimed towards the many Republicans that don’t like Trump. “Vote your conscience, not your party,” was the way I took it. This. The opposite of voting your conscience is voting your tribe. Too many people vote based on a misplaced sense of loyalty to a party. Instead, your vote should be based on how well it furthers your political agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842/40 "2016-07-25T19:15:11Z")
> [@hkepotat](#): > > I saw it more as being aimed towards the many Republicans that don’t like Trump. “Vote your conscience, not your party,” was the way I took it. She was quoting Ted Cruz’s non-endorsement of Trump, very near to the time when Ted Cruz said it. I think the meaning is pretty indisputable given that context. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842.md?page=3)