I’m not particularly socially or politically conservative and, although I’ve been a registered Republican for as long as I could vote, I don’t really identify myself with the stereotypical Republican. I’m not wealthy, I don’t come from an established family, I’m not particularly active in any religion (although I do self-identify as a Christian), and I support a number of things that the “typical” Republican probably doesn’t (gay marriage and drug legalization, for example). I won’t be voting for Democrats this year, though, unlike some others.

As long as people like Michael Moore are treated as serious thinkers by the left, I won’t be voting Democrat.

As long as people like Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean occupy positions of authority in the party, I won’t be voting Democrat.

As long as the party marginalizes reasonable people like Joe Lieberman, I won’t be voting Democrat.

As long as Democrats refuse to even acknowledge the growing problem with Social Security--much less offer anything resembling a solution--I won’t be voting Democrat.

As long as Oliver Willis likes a candidate, I can’t imagine myself voting for the person.

Anyone who reads this site or spends a few minutes talking with me will know that I’m not a rah-rah cheerleader of the Republican party. My disappointment on many fronts (Medicare bills, disappointing performance in bringing us smaller government and controlled spending, and a wide range of other issues) doesn’t mean that I’m willing to vote for a bunch of people who promise answers that I’ll like even less.

Like Fouad Ajami, I believe that huge mistakes have been made in the war in Iraq; like Fouad Ajami, I am hardly ready to give up hope nor am I blind to the very real social and political changes that have been simmering through the entirety of the Middle East since the United States turned full attention to the region. Difficult does not necessarily equate to failure; I remain hopeful that the multi-generational commitment to combating radical Islamic terrorists will ultimately make the world a better place.

Iraq is broken, but not irretrievably.

Now, this doesn’t make me right and I’m not criticizing The Commissar’s choice. This is simply my line of reasoning--some of the things that inform my decisions when I’ll be voting in a number of weeks. It also shouldn’t be taken as an attempt to sway any other votes. Every one of us has different priorities and views about the leadership of this country and the idea that any one person could speak for all of us (in a literal sense) is a little foolish.

For a time, I had considered not voting in these elections; I’m rejecting that as being, essentially, a passive vote for the other guys. However disappointed I might be with the GOP, I can’t in good conscience vote wholesale for a party that will take me even further from my priorities. For now, I will stay with the GOP, I will continue to agitate for change from within, and I will hope that the choices we all, collectively, make will lead this country toward a better future.

(H/T to Andy.)

Update: Let’s just say that this is the view from the other side. And another.

Second update: My friend Craig says awfully nice things. Probably too nice, if you want to know the truth. And De Doc adds thoughts on the subject, too.

Another update: Kindly linked by Standfast.