#55: Find a Republican Candidate to Support in the 2012 Elections

I think the purpose of this goal is to teach myself that not all republicans are bad, and not all democrats are good. Actually, I really have an easy time finding democrats I don't like (re: John Edwards) and an easy time finding republicans I do like (Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski), but when I look at who I like and who I don't like, there seem to be too many similarities on things that don't matter.

For instance, I am extremely inclined to vote for a female over a male. I supported Hillary over Obama, wanted Martha Coakley to win the Massachusetts primary for senate and all of the above republicans I listed who I liked are women.

Also, I love the republicans who are bi-partisen and hate the "blue dogs". I can't stand Nelson or Lieberman, but love Olympia. This really isn't very fair of me. I will say that I do like some ultra-conservative senators, even if I don't agree with them. I always liked hearing Pete Domenici speak, and enjoy Orrin Hatch and John Kyl whenever they are questioning a supreme court nominee. Still, those are exceptions to my rules.

So when I heard about Mia Love, the woman vying to be the first black republican woman elected to congress, a young woman from Utah who shares the same first name of my sister I was sold. She is adorable and seems smart. I agree with nothing she says, but like to hear her say it, and I'm sure Utah agrees with what she says, so I'm sure she'd be representing well. Turns out she is running against the only democrat Utah has currently elected to congress: Jim Matheson. There has to be some love for the democrats in Utah! Then I thought about how much I don't really like what Mia Love is saying, and just like the person who is saying it.



Trying to think of a similar situation on my side, I looked toward Massachusetts, which currently has no  republicans in the house of representatives, and hasn't since 1997. Scott Brown has served a two-ish? year term in the senate and is now running for a full term against Elizabeth Warren, who I can't get enough of (....woman). There is one candidate, Richard Tisei, who is running and is openly gay. Actually, he'd be the first openly gay republican to serve in the house. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative...ok, fine, this guy wins. If Utah can have a democrat, Massachusetts can have a republican. Vote Tisei!