There was a time when what you say was true - a candidate's party gave you some indication of their general poltical philosophy. That day is gone, however, because the categories of Republican and Democrat mean nothing now. Withess people like Lincoln Chafee, "Republican" and slightly left of Lenin, and Jim Webb, Democrat who is far closer to what a Democrat was fifty years ago. We need to disband the current parties and form two new parties that more accurate reflect how most Americans feel in this day and age. I'd suggest the "Red-Blooded American Party" for conservatives. People like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and the people who vote for them could name their party "Socialist Maggots." There would be no possible confusion then.