Michael A. Clarke: For Republicans who can’t stomach Trump or Clinton, don’t vote
It’s tough being a Republican these days when your candidate for president is described by some as being an ignorant, racist, sexist, homophobic bigot. When Paul Ryan, one of your leaders, says that Donald Trump’s views don’t represent Republican values (but vote for him anyway), what’s a Republican loyal to those values supposed to do?
Voting for Hillary Clinton, based on her experience in government and her dedication to our country’s founding principles, would be a good thing. However, for Republicans who subscribe to the many years of un-substantiated accusations, innuendos, rumors and stories directed at her, voting for Clinton would be unthinkable.
So, what’s a thoughtful Republican supposed to do? Perhaps the best action would be to not vote at all. Though voting is a hard-won right for all Americans, voting for someone who doesn’t represent your party’s values would be against your conscience. Voting for a candidate who is a Democrat might be viewed as an impossible choice. It seems the only honest option for a traditional Republican would be to sit out this election and vote the next time your party has a reasonable and experienced candidate for the presidency.
Michael A. Clarke, Salida
This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Michael A. Clarke: For Republicans who can’t stomach Trump or Clinton, don’t vote."