How long should an ex-Republican be a Democrat before running for office

[ProSense]

9 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	One year
	0 (0%)
	Two years
	4 (44%)
	Three years
	0 (0%)
	Four years
	0 (0%)
	Five years, minimum
	0 (0%)
	10 years, minimum
	0 (0%)
	No party switchers allowed
	1 (11%)
	Don't care
	4 (44%)
	Not sure
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[Nay]

1. 5 years. That ought to discourage the impostors. nt

[dsc]

2. We have primaries for a reason

and they can be used to decide how long. It should be taken into account and a decision made.

[IphengeniaBlumgarten]

3. Right!

Much better than a time-duration purity test.

[hfojvt]

5. I just wonder

if it would be as hard for a conservative to win a Democratic primary as it is for a moderate to win a Republican primary.

Chances are the conservative is going to have a money advantage in the primary.

When I ran for office, I notice a newspaper column basically endorse one of my opponents. Their reason - he was known to be a good fundraiser.

Like policy does not even matter. It is all about the dollar bills. One dollar, one vote.

[stevenleser]

14. And that is why I voted 'Pass'. We dont need a rule. Let Democratic Primary voters decide. nt

[hfojvt]

4. it depends more on the Republican than on time

I would be happy to have, Republicans like this - Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Robert LaFollette.

Heck, any Republican who can win a primary should be free to run. My problem is that a primary is not likely to be a fair fight though, because, knowing my own state party, they would back a turncoat conservative over a liberal democrat in the primary. So, then when I have, what is supposed to be my own party working against me. Well, that makes it feel like it is not my party.

[TheKentuckian]

6. How ever many it takes for them to change the positions that made them viable politicians

in a party that has been radically regressive for at least a generation.

I don't give a shit that the RapeTeaPubliKlans kicked up enough notches to make them no longer viable while holding the same positions. That segment should be without representation until they can bring some little sense back to their party and maybe they will actually and seriously change more than a letter by their name.

I'm fine with folks turning over a new leaf, I'm not fine with gathering right wingers that have been ideologically orphaned by forces they fostered and gave purchase to and giving them a home and a platform to make them viable again by ginning them up as the new left.

What the hell does the passage of arbitrary time have to do with anything?

[Panasonic]

7. How about NEVER?

Sorry, but any Republican who switches to Democrat for the purpose of political ambitions will be laughed at and ignored.

Yeah, I'm including Crist in this. He's nothing but an opportunist.

[MightyMopar]

8. Jumpin Jim Jeffords

I say immediately.

[Panasonic]

9. He never became a Democrat.

He switched from Republican to Independent until his retirement.

[MightyMopar]

15. Didn't say he did but we sure would have welcomed it at the time! Agree?

It depends on the person and the situation. I think we should get behind Charlie Crist. The Democrats biggest problem in swing states is getting legitimate votes counted and I think Charlie will deliver. After that is in place we can get real progressives elected across Florida.

Besides, I don't care what they call themselves, it's how they vote. Who's a better democrat/Democrat, Bernie Sanders or Ben Nelson?

[OldDem2012]

10. I agree. Switches like this are never made on the spur of the moment...

...Any politician who switches parties takes plenty of time to think about making the switch. They understand they will be burning some major bridges once they go public.

But, once they make the switch, they're good to go as far as I'm concerned.

But, I personally welcome any GOPer who switches to the Democratic Party, and give a hearty "Get out and good riddance!!" to anyone leaving the Democratic Party.

[KamaAina]

11. As long as Charlie Crist has until the next election.

[Cha]

12. ...

[Zorra]

13. 20 years nt