10/28/06 Make Vote Count: Support Vogeler

Dear Editor: Conventional wisdom says that a vote for third party candidates is a wasted vote. That may not always be the case.

In Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race, incumbent Herb Kohl, a Democrat, faces challenges from Republican Robert Lorge and the Green Party's Rae Vogeler. This is considered a "safe seat" for the Democrats; there is virtually zero chance that Kohl will be turned out of office.

Under these circumstances, the truly "wasted" vote is a vote for Herb Kohl, who is predicted to capture more than 60 percent of the vote.

To make one's vote truly count, the logical choice is Rae Vogeler. She distinguishes herself from both Kohl and Lorge by opposing the Iraq war and supporting clean, renewable energy.

Even if Vogeler loses, your vote will still send Kohl a message that you want a more progressive senator, and give a sorely needed boost to the Green Party.

Jeff Peterson Luck, Wis.