I have to agree with Lilith. Most of the time, in most places where I have lived, the people who really do hold all or most of my views never win; they are too much in the minority. Thus, I always vote in cases as you mention for the person representing "my" party, in hopes that if the result would be that "my" party would hold the majority in the House or Senate, I'd have a better chance of at least SOME of my views or values represented and "winning" when it comes to the members voting on particular issues. Better to have SOME of what I want get through Congress than most of what I DON'T want getting through Congress. Plus, I know that most of the time, even if a particular person's views don't represent most of mine but that person is a member of the party that usually DOES represent more of my views, that person is more likely to acquiesce and vote the way the other members of that party vote once he or she is elected (in other words, he or she will back their party). (I don't know if that is clear as mud....Sorry!)

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