[tjinaz]

I typically vote R in the national races but will vote D in the state or local depending on the issues and candidates.

The problem is what issue is important to you. Usually you get the party line. Pro life, pro business, pro gun, low tax, low govt involvement on one side and pro abortion, high tax, big govt anti gun on the other. What do you do if you are a hunter that wants govt healthcare? You have to decide which is more important to you.

Most of the Rural areas are filled with people that like to take care of themselves and want to be left alone. In the cities people expect more from govt services and expect higher taxes to go along with it. Take a look at the Red vs Blue areas it is fairly apparent what the demographics lay out. East and West coast cities tend to vote Dem and the areas in between vote Repub typically.

This is where I hope the Tea Party gives a viable third option. I like the fiscally conservative views but can do without all the religious aspects the Repubs have had lately. If you could get the Blue Dog Dems to join the Tea Party and help round them out you would really have something that the middle of the road American could get behind. Leave the extremists in both parties behind and go their own way.