Am I a Democrat?

[CLARENCE 2015!]

I've been having some thoughts since well before the election was over- after Romney chose Ryan I began to think of myself as an independent... and the behavior of the party post-defeat has soured me even more...

Let me begin by saying that I am not a loyal Republican- I am a loyal American. I do not stick by parties through their hard times... there's usually a reason people are leaving them! I voted Democrat in my first election for LBJ- and left the party in 72 because of who the Democrats nominated. I've voted since then for President for the Republican nominee but often Democrat for other races including Senate and Governor. But I have no qualms if because of these thoughts, other Republicans tell me that I am disloyal to the party- hell yeah, I AM! This isn't the Soviet Union- the party is not the country and is no where near as important- a message for people in all parties!

I tend to support candidates and parties based on more intangible factors- for example, I trusted Romney to react as I would to situations from foreign policy to taxes... I felt his response would better match what I would do. On the issues- I matched him more closely on many, and still do. However, the intangible for me has recently gone to the Democrats- it began with President Obama's handling of foreign policy... I DO have many issues with it- but there is no denying he has been tougher then even President Bush against terrorism. What I admire most about Obama, Biden, and Clinton and the others- they seem to care about people...

I saw this disability UN act go through with two of my heroes in my signature below advocating for it- and saw most of my party oppose it. I hear Romney classifying nearly half the population as useless.  Folks in debates applaud prisoners being executed but boo at a soldier deployed to Iraq because of his sexual preference. I look at some of these people ad I am disgusted... sure we pride ourselves on our American individualism, we stand on our own two feet and earn our way through life- but surely our first instinct must be to care for others?

I've had many disagreeements with my Democratic friends and I disagree vehemently with many planks of the party- but oddly I feel more a kinship with Democrats now then I do with Republicans because I believe Democrats care more about the American people then Republicans do. There- I said it... I've voted for every Republican candidate for President since Nixon and I believe the other guys care more about the American people. I do NOT believe Republicans are not well intentioned- I simply believe too many of us aim to be divisive and rigid and many have trouble realizing that these budget cuts and line slashing... these affect people and famillies.

Of course- part of these thoughts is due to my girl Hillary revving up to run in 2016... but I do not want her to be a President in name only- I want her to have a party under her elected to achieve what her life has prepared her to achieve. For the reasons above, I am contemplating a switch to the Democratic Party...

Please let me know your thoughts...

[k-onmmunist]

i have to commend you on thinking beyond partisan boundaries. that's something which many people on both sides seem to find difficult; i guess it serves as a form of identity for many. but yeah, i can see many moderate republicans on here and elsewhere feel their party has thrown them under the bus.

[minionofmidas]

I don't have much to say but I am glad to have read your post.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I don't have much to say but I am glad to have read your post.

This.

Honestly--and this is just my advice--being an Independent would likely fit you best. That way, you don't need to fret about party identity and can vote either way. The only downside is not being able to vote in Primaries

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Respect.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

tl;dr

[RogueBeaver]

Yeah, I'd say you're an Indie. Plus, as Kalwejt said, Respect.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

No I wouldn't say you are a Democrat. I would say you are a fine American citizen.

I think the problem is that the GOP loves to spout off positions, they love to check off the boxes, but they have forgotten how to package a set of positions and then articulate how it actually will help improves people's lives. The reason for that is because you risk everyone pulling it apart piece by piece and so it doesn't happen anymore. Bush's campassionate conservativism was destroyed by that and by results, to the point that it would incite at least suspicion if not outright opposition from me whenever I hear it uttered now. But he at least knew how to do it, even if the what was partially or all wrong depending on your views.

[AndrewTX]

I don't care

[k-onmmunist]

I don't care

you always contribute so much to discussion.

[minionofmidas]

I don't care

you always contribute so much to discussion.

It's why we made him a moderator.

[Northeast Rep Snowball]

I would go with I

[justfollowingtheelections]

I've been having some thoughts since well before the election was over- after Romney chose Ryan I began to think of myself as an independent... and the behavior of the party post-defeat has soured me even more...

Let me begin by saying that I am not a loyal Republican- I am a loyal American. I do not stick by parties through their hard times... there's usually a reason people are leaving them! I voted Democrat in my first election for LBJ- and left the party in 72 because of who the Democrats nominated. I've voted since then for President for the Republican nominee but often Democrat for other races including Senate and Governor. But I have no qualms if because of these thoughts, other Republicans tell me that I am disloyal to the party- hell yeah, I AM! This isn't the Soviet Union- the party is not the country and is no where near as important- a message for people in all parties!

I tend to support candidates and parties based on more intangible factors- for example, I trusted Romney to react as I would to situations from foreign policy to taxes... I felt his response would better match what I would do. On the issues- I matched him more closely on many, and still do. However, the intangible for me has recently gone to the Democrats- it began with President Obama's handling of foreign policy... I DO have many issues with it- but there is no denying he has been tougher then even President Bush against terrorism. What I admire most about Obama, Biden, and Clinton and the others- they seem to care about people...

I saw this disability UN act go through with two of my heroes in my signature below advocating for it- and saw most of my party oppose it. I hear Romney classifying nearly half the population as useless.  Folks in debates applaud prisoners being executed but boo at a soldier deployed to Iraq because of his sexual preference. I look at some of these people ad I am disgusted... sure we pride ourselves on our American individualism, we stand on our own two feet and earn our way through life- but surely our first instinct must be to care for others?

I've had many disagreeements with my Democratic friends and I disagree vehemently with many planks of the party- but oddly I feel more a kinship with Democrats now then I do with Republicans because I believe Democrats care more about the American people then Republicans do. There- I said it... I've voted for every Republican candidate for President since Nixon and I believe the other guys care more about the American people. I do NOT believe Republicans are not well intentioned- I simply believe too many of us aim to be divisive and rigid and many have trouble realizing that these budget cuts and line slashing... these affect people and famillies.

Of course- part of these thoughts is due to my girl Hillary revving up to run in 2016... but I do not want her to be a President in name only- I want her to have a party under her elected to achieve what her life has prepared her to achieve. For the reasons above, I am contemplating a switch to the Democratic Party...

Please let me know your thoughts...

I don't think anyone could tell you what to do, I think you're the only one who knows what is right for yourself.  I do agree with you however that principle is more important than party line, regardless of what the party is.

[Donerail]

In your area (excluding college students), you probably would fit in pretty well with a good chunk of the local Dems (someone like Leonard Bembry comes to mind). Nationally though...

[opebo]

I would like to welcome you to the Democratic Party, clarence!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Personally, I would say you're an Indie.  However, the party that you affiliate yourself with is up to you, because as blagohair.com said, you're the only one who knows what's right for yourself.  People are free to join political parties and still be independent at heart, but doing that has become increasingly rare the past decade, and personally I've broken ranks with Democrats on several things but still associate myself with them because they are the party that suits me most.  What ever you choose to do, you should consider which party's primaries you would feel more comfortable voting in, if at all.  I forgot if your state has open primaries, though.

As others said, I'm glad I read your post.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I don't have much to say but I am glad to have read your post.

This.

Honestly--and this is just my advice--being an Independent would likely fit you best. That way, you don't need to fret about party identity and can vote either way. The only downside is not being able to vote in Primaries

Not a problem for me, I live in an open primary state.

And as for me, I am very angry with the Republican leadership right now after what happened in 2010 and 2012.  Yes, I realize the GOP made big gains in 2010, but they would have been bigger if we hadn't squandered so many winnable races on unelectable candidates for the sake of ideology.  I'm a loyal Republican and plan on staying that way even after suffering what is probably my party's worst beating since 1992.  Does that distatse for the direction of the conservative movement and the Republican Party makes me a RINO or a Democrat?  If it does, then so be it, I guess.

No I wouldn't say you are a Democrat. I would say you are a fine American citizen.

I think the problem is that the GOP loves to spout off positions, they love to check off the boxes, but they have forgotten how to package a set of positions and then articulate how it actually will help improves people's lives. The reason for that is because you risk everyone pulling it apart piece by piece and so it doesn't happen anymore. Bush's campassionate conservativism was destroyed by that and by results, to the point that it would incite at least suspicion if not outright opposition from me whenever I hear it uttered now. But he at least knew how to do it, even if the what was partially or all wrong depending on your views.

Yes, and that is exactly why we need to educate people, as well as why I am pursuing a career in politics.

[Franzl]

You're pursuing a career in politics?

[The Mikado]

You probably should stop having a partisan affiliation either way, I don't think you're a great fit for either party (and that's not a bad thing at all).

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Yes, and that is exactly why we need to educate people, as well as why I am pursuing a career in politics.

I don't know, dude. Going back to school before pursuing a need to educate other people seems to be a better idea.

[Niemeyerite]

You're a FF, that's what you are.

BTW, I believe you're an indie.

[Frodo]

Clarence -you'd be more than welcome to join us.  

Does your state allow you to register by party?  

[Talleyrand]

I'd welcome you to our party if you choose to join, but I agree that you're best off as an independent. You seem too self-autonomous to be beholden to either party.

And yes, you are a huge FF and American hero. I understand why you are upset over the UN Disability Act, and I am sure many people across political aisles share your frustration.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

You're pursuing a career in politics?

Yes.  I am currently getting my pre-requisites and am planning on majoring in PoliSci.

[Insula Dei]

You're pursuing a career in politics?

Yes.  I am currently getting my pre-requisites and am planning on majoring in PoliSci.

Are you being home schooled?