Should Republicans Support a RINO For Re-Election, i.e. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard?

I've heard the argument that we Republicans should overlook Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard's liberal big taxing, big spending policies, and support him for re-election because, quite frankly, he's an incumbent and he's on our team.  In other words, by putting on the red jersey emblazoned with a big "R" on the chest, Ballard is deserving of our support, regardless of the broken campaign promises and the way he's acted in office.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard Announces for Re-Election

Believe it or not, it's not an argument I discard lightly. I am a big fan of loyalty and there is something to be said about sticking by the people who are on your team.

But on the other hand, simply slipping on the red "R" jersey should not give a Republican a license to betray the fiscally conservative principles he stood for in the campaign as well as the people who supported him.  "Betrayal" - it may seem a harsh characterization, but for most of those who stood with Ballard during the 2007 campaign, that pejorative term is what is most frequently used to describe how former supporters now feel toward the Mayor.

Since I have become active in local Republican politics in 1986, Ballard is the most liberal Marion County Republican elected official, with the possible exception of State Senator Virginia Blankenbaker.  It was never clear why Virginia Blankenbaker, who was both a fiscal and social liberal., chose to be a Republican, with except that her northside district would never elect someone with a "D" by his or her name.  Blankenbaker was a Republican In Name Only, aka a RINO.

Ballard has never met a tax or fee he wouldn't raise, spends taxpayer money recklessly, chiefly through handouts to politically-connected companies who donate money to his campaign, and has mortgaged the future for short term benefits. He has also handed the keys to his administration to profiteers.  There is nothing about Mayor Ballard's resume that even remotely speaks of fiscal responsibility.  When given the chance to at least be a conservative on non-fiscal issues, Ballard always opts for the liberal position.  A classic example is Mayor Ballard's continued hostility to gun rights.

Should Republicans vote for a RINO like Ballard?  The question is if you do, and Ballard succeeds, what have you won in the end?   You end up with a person who claims to be on your side while selling out your values.  There are some things worse than losing the 2011 election.  One of those things would be winning with a RINO like Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.