# Who should I vote for in the WI Republican primary? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 14, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732 "2012-03-14T12:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/21 "2012-03-14T19:12:59Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Dunno how it is in other states, but in Florida, the Dems didn’t even have a presidential primary this year, I checked with the elections office, nothing at all for Dems to do when the Pubs were voting; the Dems will have a different primary in August for Congressional seats, etc. Ah. Well, in Ohio the Congressional primaries were on the same day. And some more local positions and issues, depening on location. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/22 "2012-03-14T19:14:25Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Exactly. Keep in mind that the common wisdom among Dems in 2004 was that Bush didn’t have a chance and Kerry was pretty much a sure thing. How did that work out? If the economy completely tanks and the public turns against Obama then my guess is most folks would rather have Romney in the big chair than Ricky Rouse. I recall doing the happy dance when Reagan got the nomination in 1980, thinking that no way that doddering old goat would beat Carter. So indeed I weighed the possibility of a Santorum presidency when I voted for him in the primary, and finally concluded that the infinitesimal risk of a Santorum White House was worth it in order to keep Romney out. So I turned in my Santorum ballot, wishing I had worn latex gloves and handled it with tongs. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/23 "2012-03-14T19:19:11Z")
Santorum and Gingrich frighten me so much I’d vote for Romney. I don’t care if he’d be the strongest opponent for Obama to face. At least he doesn’t have the aim of blowing up the world. I’d stay in the Democratic primaries if there were any even remotely interesting down ticket races. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/24 "2012-03-14T19:36:34Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > There are other primary elections besides the presidential. Why wouldn’t you vote in the dem primary? The only other WI election that day are for state judges, who by law must run as non-partisans. So both Democratic and Republicans will will have identical ballots for the judges. The WI Congressional and state partisan primaries are not until August. I can, if I choose, vote for Barack Obama, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary. And I can do some research and vote for who I actually want to wine for the judgeships. Just for the hell of it, I’m going to send an email to President Obama and ask him who I should vote for. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/25 "2012-03-14T19:39:53Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Gingrich is done. You’d be better off voting for Paul, who is in the number 3 position last I heard. Santorum is still in this, though, so if you are really trying to game the system to extend out the primary then he’s the guy to vote for. If that’s the idea. If the idea is to actually get someone other than Romney to be the Republican nomination in the end then it’s probably a fools game, since it doesn’t seem very likely at this point that anyone else is going to win the nomination. > > -XT Paul’s votes are almost clearly going to Romney right now as it is. Paul would be a horrible choice. The choice comes down to Santorum or Santorum. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/26 "2012-03-14T19:49:29Z")
Also, a [relevant](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/victory_lab/2012/02/michigan_primary_how_the_obama_campaign_is_trying_to_undermine_the_gop_on_tuesday_.html)article about this situation in Michigan. It’s not the same situation, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/27 "2012-03-14T19:56:40Z")
I Just sent off the following message to the White House. I winder if some drone will reply – I did request a reply. > [@](#): > > Dear President Obama, > > I intend to vote for you in November’s general election. Wisconsin holds its presidential primary on April 3 and you have no opposition. I am considering voting for a Republican candidate to possibly strengthen your electoral chances later against one of the so-called “non-Rommney” candidates. It is unlikely my vote for any of them will make a difference for you later, but even a very small chance seems greater than the chance that my vote for you in the primary will make any difference. > > Should I vote for you, or a Republican I think you can most easily beat? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/28 "2012-03-14T20:06:31Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I Just sent off the following message to the White House. I winder if some drone will reply – I did request a reply. You’re not going to get a reply, or, at least, a reply you can do something about. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/29 "2012-03-14T20:31:10Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > There are other primary elections besides the presidential. Why wouldn’t you vote in the dem primary? In Tennessee, Obama was literally the only name on the Democratic ballot, at least in my district. The choice was “Obama” or “Undecided” with no other races to vote on. Since I had already dragged myself to the polling station I decided to vote in an actual race (and then wasted my vote on a non-candidate anyway, but oh well). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/30 "2012-03-14T20:41:38Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I Just sent off the following message to the White House. I winder if some drone will reply – I did request a reply. There’s virtually a zero percent chance you’re going to get an official statement from any White House staff telling you to game the vote. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/31 "2012-03-14T20:59:27Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > There’s virtually a zero percent chance you’re going to get an official statement from any White House staff telling you to game the vote. But if you did, it would be awesome! 😃 I’d be voting for the guy who’s name means foamy poo. Because it’s hilarious! Hee hee hee! Santorum… Hee hee hee! God, I’m such a child… ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/32 "2012-03-14T21:10:22Z")
Whose. 😛 **Jim** , vote for Obama. Please. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/33 "2012-03-15T01:07:11Z")
Vote for Ron Paul. If by some miracle he wins the nomination, at least the general election will be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/34 "2012-03-15T12:50:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Who should I vote for in the WI Republican primary? Write-in vote for the Lone Ranger! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/35 "2012-03-15T13:44:21Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Write-in vote for the Lone Ranger! Nah! Honor Harrington! A war hero! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/36 "2012-03-15T15:05:53Z")
I’m facing the same dilemma in Illinois. Open primary, not much going on Dem side in my district to worry about. Vote Santorum or vote Romney? I don’t really think either would be “better” but Santorum would be easier to defeat and the primary season seems to be wearing on Romney’s popularity. But I got a letter yesterday from a candidate for state rep thanking me for signing her ballot petition and asking for my vote. I’ll have to see if I like her positions\* and may grab a Dem ballot just for her. (\*I’ll sign anyone’s ballot petition just because I believe in open access to the system) ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/37 "2012-03-15T16:04:14Z")
Don’t listen to the people saying it’s unethical to cross party lines and vote to sabotage the Republican primary. Wrongo! Vote for whoever you want for whatever reason you want, that’s the point of voting in the first place! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/38 "2012-03-15T16:39:43Z")
Herman Cain. Awwww, _shucky ducky._ ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/39 "2012-03-15T16:50:57Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I Just sent off the following message to the White House. I winder if some drone will reply – I did request a reply. Considering that any reply, unless it came from Barry or Joe directly, would be a gross violation of [the Hatch Act](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatch_Act_of_1939), you won’t receive any feedback. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732/40 "2012-03-15T17:00:31Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > Don’t listen to the people saying it’s unethical to cross party lines and vote to sabotage the Republican primary. Wrongo! > > Vote for whoever you want for whatever reason you want, that’s the point of voting in the first place! That’s my thought. We each get one vote to do whatever we want with: not vote, vote Dem or GOP, vote Green, write in “Lizard People” and see if we can become a minor meme during the next recount, whatever. Each use is as legitimate (if perhaps not as well spent) as the last. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732.md?page=3)