[Dick Holmes]

You people in New York, Illinois, California, Maryland, Vermont, DC, and Taxachussetts, by all means cast a protest ballot for Bob Barr. Those of us in red and purple states regrettably need to act like adults and vote for McCain.

If a state is red enough, by your logic, a protest vote wouldn't change the outcome, either.

I always thought it was a shame none of the states enacted the instant runoff ballot. You could vote for the candidate you really want, even if he has no real chance, and put as your second choice the "lesser of two evils," who does. Even if your state is a swing state, voting for Barr or whoever wouldn't be throwing your vote away or giving it to Obama.

I guess the instant runoff idea just makes too much sense, or maybe both parties are afraid that if people could vote for who they really wanted without worrying about the spoiler factor, one of these days the third party candidate could win.

[devere]

“maybe both parties are afraid that if people could vote for who they really wanted without worrying about the spoiler factor, one of these days the third party candidate could win. “

You’ve got it.