HA!

My McCain vote?

Clever tact, but hold on - you described Taylor as a "Bund Conservative." That means in voting for Pelosi he voted for someone 180 degrees from his own ideology. McCain certainly isn't exemplary of my own ideology, but come on, he isn't 180 degrees away from a "Bund Conservative" (btw, the lack of support for Ford I described was the internal Dem "primary" if you will, he challenged Pelosi and lost before the full vote was brought to the floor, and lost precisely because people like Taylor - Fords presumed base - conceded support). Writing in Romney's name would have thrown my vote away, true. However, for Taylor to simply abstain, and publicly say why, would have been huge! It would NOT have been simply throwing his vote (or job as it turns out) away. On the contrary it would have been a principled stand, fighting for the identity of his chosen Party. And as Jambo pointed out he gets no support, no big committee chairmanships, nothing from the DNC nor Pelosi. He had nothing to lose by standing up to her. In fact, Ford of TN was demonstrably junior to Gene, so I submit Gene himself could have/should have ran against Pelosi internally.

Surely you understand Jambo's & my point. Taylor is someone we all like. Someone we have all supported and voted for. Someone who's politics/votes reflect our own principles. However, if we can get ALL of that without risking our (S. MS's) congressman caucusing with Pelosi, voting for a Pelosi, or in any way handing the extremists leading the Democrat Party a larger power base in DC, then why not do it? And here is where you enter Jambo's point - Taylor is persona non grata in/to the Dem leadership structure. Meaning the key issues he pursues are going nowhere anyway. A freshman GOP congressman, who isn't at odds with his leadership, wont have that problem. To paraphrase one of my favorite movies, this isn't personal, it's business. 2010 forward Palazzo would simply be the more effective advocate for South Mississippi; and with him Mississippians needn't ever worry about their vote translating into power for a Pelsoi type. Surely you see that.