I have more respect for Democratic Nader voters than I do for Democrats who vote for McCain or don't

vote based on a silly primary grudge.

It frustrates me when Democrats/progressives vote third party in a close GE because it splits the progressive vote. I think it's horrible strategy and many times it's based on the falsehood of there being "no difference" between the Republican and Democrat running for President. However, the difference between these third-party voters and those who don't vote or vote for McCain over a primary grudge is that they actually stand for something. They are basing their decision on actual issues (for example, they don't think the Democrat is liberal enough). Bad strategy, but at least it's based on something.

On the other hand, for a progressive/Democrat to choose a conservative, hawkish Republican who wants to stack the Courts with right-wing ideologues over a Democrat who won't poison the Courts and who opposes the war shows a total disregard for actual issues. There is no way these people agree with McCain more than Obama or Clinton, yet they'll help put him in office to teach fellow Democrats a lesson for having the nerve to support a different candidate. In other words, they stand for nothing. Issues take a backseat to petty arguments that both Democratic candidates will have forgotten about long before November.

For those who don't plan on voting at all, the same thing applies to you that applies to the apathetic non-voters out there: If you don't vote, you don't have the right to complain about the outcome!

but here's another way. the anti hillary forces, at least the ones here on du, have said that hillary is as bad or worse than mccain and the repubs. if that is in fact to be believed then it shouldn't surprise anybody that hillarys voters turn to mccain.
i've seen post encouraging the hillary supporters to drop out of the democratic party and join the gop. i realize a lot of that is over the top bloviating, but you can't really be surprised when some of the shunned actually pick up their marbles and go home.