The only issue I have with that philosophy is it's essentially a wasted vote. I'm with you in preferring to vote for a 3rd party candidate but the problem I see is that my vote matters to who will ultimately get elected between the DNC and GOP. I essentially vote for who I feel best identifies with what I am looking for. I have not voted for a DNC in the presidential race since Clinton the 2nd time around.
I definitely understand the viewpoint that it's a wasted vote. I don't think I go into any election cycle with the mindset that I'm absolutely voting 3rd party, but I recognize it as an option and many don't for the reasons you mentioned.
"I essentially vote for who I feel best identifies with what I am looking for."
That's what I do also, but when I look at DNC and GOP candidates I essentially see the same thing. A lot of double talk and avoidance of the question in a nice suit, beholden to corporations, with absolutely no connection with the people. It's all a bunch of mudslinging without anybody really saying why they are better, only that they aren't quite as bad.
Out of these candidates, so far, I like Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul. Clinton is loathesome. Trump ... I don't think there's any way he's going to bring the sides of the aisles together and will most likely alienate everybody. Cruz is a loon. Bush ... just no, not another Bush.
I don't really care which way they lean, as long as it isn't too far. We need somebody more moderate to hopefully bring the sides back together again. I don't recall ever seeing such a divide and it isn't conducive to good governance. Somebody has to bridge the gap.
I like Sanders because he wants to get big business out of politics, and I like the idea of public colleges being tuition free. (K-12 already is, why not the first 4 years of college?) In theory, I like a lot of his ideas, but I haven't seen a lot of depth from him on exactly how this is supposed to be accomplished. Ultimately I also think the University idea will be met with the same scorn as the ACA and it will be more division. It's shameful that middle to low income families pay 10x the interest to try to get an education (which ultimately strengthens the entire country) than a bank does to borrow money.
I like Rand Paul because I think he's moderate enough to bridge the gap. Those are my thoughts now, but the elections are a long way off. I could easily change my mind and I often do.
I would rather "waste" my vote than cast it for somebody I feel is less worthy just because I think they have a chance to win.
