Plain Speaking

Voting for Those with
No Chance of Winning

It can truthfully be said that I am always pulling for the underdog.

That statement applies to me when it comes to sports as well as politics — especially political races. I know my mother laughs at me each time there is an election because she says I always vote for candidates with no chance to win.

I’ve not going to dispute that. I have managed to pick a few winners from time to time, but, for the most part, the candidate I cast a vote for usually ends up on the wrong end of the vote total order.

The first time I began to notice this was back in 1992. My home county of Jasper was part of a new congressional district that was, in all reality, designed for Cynthia McKinney to win. I wasn’t impressed with Ms. McKinney, even way back in 1992 when she wasn’t quite as infamous as she is now.

I picked one of the numerous candidates running against her in the primary and set about doing all I could to help the candidate of my choice win.

It was probably the first time I really got involved in a campaign. I wrote this candidate and asked for some campaign supplies. A few days later, a large package arrived with signs, brochures, stickers and the like. I was thrilled.

I was officially a “volunteer” worker for a campaign. I put the signs in my vehicle and drove all around my county putting them up. I mailed brochures to friends of mine and asked them to vote for the candidate of my choice.

It was fun to be a part of a campaign, even in my limited role. Once I had put up all the signs I had, I called my candidate and asked for more. Within a few days, another package, filled with signs, was brought to the door by my mailman (the package was way too big to fit in the mailbox.)

When the primary election day arrived during the summer of 1992, I proudly cast my vote in this congressional race and others on the ballot. I paced the floor until the polls closed at 7 that evening and then drove to the courthouse in my county seat to watch the local returns compiled.

Once the votes were in, however, I was somewhat stunned. There was my candidate finishing last out of five or so running in the primary. McKinney, of course, was the runaway winner in my county and throughout the district. I was truly shocked. My mother had an explanation, however, for me candidate’s poor showing: he had been endorsed by me.

“He never stood a chance,” I remember my mother telling me on election night. “You doomed him by campaigning for him.”

Since that time, I must admit I have voted for many candidates who finished near or at the bottom of the vote count. The “Chris Bridges” curse has worked many times. In fact, I’ve even thought about trying some reverse psychology and voting for someone I really wanted to lose to see if that would work. Despite the fact it seems like a good idea, I haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet.

With this year’s primary closing in fast, I once again have my preferred candidates. I’ll let you know how I did after the July 18 primary. Will I vote for even one candidate who wins or even makes it to a runoff? Or will I deliver the old “Chris Bridges” curse once again to those I truly believe should be elected?

There is one good thing about all this. I can always put one of those “Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For….” stickers on my car.

Monticello native Chris Bridges is a reporter and columnist for Mainstreet Newspapers, based in Jefferson. You can contact him at 706-367-2745 or e-mail comments to chris@mainstreetnews.com.