Do you gauge your vote in the primaries solely on ideology?

Some of us are very committed and vote almost entirely on ideology - what candidate fits best with the issues we care about. Let's call this group the idealists.

Conversely, some of us weight very heavily towards who we believe will be the strongest candidate against the Republicans, even if there are other primary candidates closer to our own views. Let's call this group the strategists.

There are some of us who, to some extent, fall somewhere in the middle and proclaim to look for both, but I think that's a bit of self delusion: most of us fall more heavily into one camp or the other.

I freely admit I'm a strategist. I don't think, in the long run, the differences between the Dem candidates outweighs the factor of electability.

But that's just me. I look for someone who can stomp all over the Republicans.

I'm a proud, defiant idealist, always have been, and always will be.

I value principles.

I choose candidates based on issues and record.

I don't consider electing a candidate who doesn't represent me on the issues to be "winning."

I consider that "losing," or, at best, "stalemate."

That doesn't mean that I won't compromise, although I really detest compromise from the bottom of my gut. I have limits as to how much, and how far, I'll compromise, though. If I'm not winning something, I'm not compromising.

"Something" being, not a letter next to the winner's name, or a consolation prize, but actually winning some movement FORWARD on some key issues.

Compromise means that I get something of value to me for what I give.

I look at who I think can win, and then ideology for the second cut.

I don't think DK can win, nor do I see Richardson or Dodd. I think Dodd will give Reid a run for the leadership next year and I would love to see him in that role. I think our greatest danger is running HRC.

That leaves 3 that i think are the most strategic and my ideology kicks in. I am promoting Edwards, followed by Biden and then Obama.

and I have no "magic formula" for determining which one I should support the most

I actually don't think that the two are opposed, if one truly wants to see one's ideology in action.

I'm a LIBERAL idealist. I make the distinction because it is entirely likely that none of the dem candidates will earn my support, although during the last two primaries I've been fortunate enough to have a dem candidate I can support without any reservations whatsoever.

Currently, I'm supporting Edwards because he's in the top tier and I think he would be good for the country. But when it comes Super Tuesday, I'll be taking into account the previous primary results and who has the best chance to win the nomination or who of the two leading contenders at that point I would rather have be the Democratic nominee.

If it looks like a particular candidate is a shoo-in, I'll vote my ideals, and that will be Kucinich.