The best thing about American politics is how nearly none of our individual votes actually count. Here’s my summary of the past few presidential elections.

In 2000, I wasn’t old enough to vote in the Republican primary. Even if I had, Bush would have won Texas no matter what. My vote wouldn’t have mattered.

In November of 2000, I was old enough to vote. I had the choice to vote in Massachusetts or Texas. Either way, my vote wouldn’t matter. Massachusetts would go to Gore and Texas would go for Bush. My vote wouldn’t have mattered. I voted for Nader. (I was in college! I didn’t know better!)

In November of 2004, I was still in Massachusetts. The primary didn’t matter, as John Kerry had it in the bag and there was no Republican challenge. The general didn’t matter either. Hooray.

In November of 2006, I lived in Illinois. Democrats across the board. Nearly everyone runs unopposed here. Vote didn’t matter.

February 2008. Does my vote matter yet? Kinda. Illinois has an open primary and both parties have actual contests and both parties have one candidate I really, really like and one candidate I cannot stand. What to do? I thought about it a lot, and I made up my mind and voted early. I voted in the Republican primary for McCain. I can’t imagine Obama losing here, so hopefully I won’t be wrong. However, I still felt a little weird about it, so to make up for my McCain vote, I’m going to Obama HQ on Saturday to volunteer. Putting my mouth where my money is, so to speak. I think it’s a good compromise.

It is a little odd that I almost equally support two candidates that have such different views. I’m pretty moderate, maybe I shift a tiny bit to the right, but only barely. Typically, I agree with Obama on most social/freedom issues (health care notwithstanding), and McCain on most other things, especially Iraq. But, despite these differences, I think they’d make equally good Presidents. A president can only pass laws that Congress sends to them and can only nominate people that Congress will approve. Tone will be important, and I think both McCain and Obama have a respect for the legislative branch that the current administration does not have. Also, for all of McCain’s talk about social conservatism, I don’t think they will be issues he will push while in the White House. Maybe it should be a strike against him that he pandered to the further right wing of his party, but it’s a primary compromise I’ll deal with if it can give us a Republican nominee that isn’t completely awful.

Typically, I agree with Jon Stewart that a McCain/Obama election would be good for the country. I think both men are ready and will do a great job, the trick is just making sure its one of them.

UPDATE: Apparently Curt Schilling agrees with me also.  On Obama:

“The other person of unparalleled character in this upcoming election” (link)

and

“It appears to me, in my opinion anyway, that the two people I feel like I can trust the most, that care the most, and that make me believe in them the most, are Senator Obama and Senator McCain. I am hopeful that will be the choice we all have to make in 12 months or so.” (link)

No just a great pitcher!  Schilling also does a lot to support ALS Research, a cause I’ve been peripherally involved in for the past year.