Republican wants to run as Democrat

[Dr.Phool]

A friend of mine called me yesterday, and asked for my help. It seems his next door neighbor wants to run for Congress next year. He's a Republican, and would consider switching parties. I guess he contacted the Repubs, and they tried to discourage him. I saw an e-mail he sent my friend, and said he'd run as a Dem if we all supported him.

I said I'd want to talk to the guy first, but I could put him in contact with the right people. I know of at least 2 other Dems who are filing for that race (I ran last year). He had the guys scrapbook. I guess he's a 3 time purple heart winner (Vietnam), and has been invited to the Whitehouse 4 times under Clinton and W.

I talked to my friend again this morning,and he was strongly hinting that they want me to join the campaign. I said I'd have to wait a while before deciding, and I'm already pledged to handle communications and P.R. for another campaign.

Any thoughts out there? Our local Republican chairman loves to crow in the newspapers every time a Dem defects.

[MAlibdem]

1. What are his politics.

Seems like a strong candidate, good story, but if he's not worth anything as a person or a politician, what's the point?

[Dr.Phool]

7. I've gotta sit down and ask him some questions

Especially on policy and issues.

I've already stated that I'm not going to support candidates who are not progressive. That said, Bill Nelson is rapidly climbing my shit list for not supporting the judicial filibusters, and a few votes last week on Bankruptcy Bill Amendments

[Larkspur]

2. Is the only reason he wants to run as a Dem because the Repuke leadership

won't support him?

What are his core principles? Is he willing to support and fight for core Democratic principles?

If not, we don't need another Repuke in Dems clothing. We have enough of them already.

[gratuitous]

11. Larkspur speaks my mind

If this guy is contemplating a run as a Democrat just because the local Republican machine won't back him or finance him, I'd say we probably don't need another Republican in the Democratic party.

If he's contemplating the switch because he finds himself in agreement with the Democratic platform, and he's been a Republican just because that's where the power centers in his area, then I'd consider working for him, if I were you.

[Dr.Phool]

12. The way things are going

I'm almost half tempted to run again myself. Even though I've told everyone I wouldn't.

[Nay]

20. Yeah, what Larkspur said.

[Enquiringkitty]

22. Is he willing to come to DU and defend himself in debate?

[Warpy]

3. Find out what the man stands for

and what he will work for in Congress. If he's a cheap labor pubbie with a "D" after his name, forget it. We don't need any more of those, we're already oversupplied.

[iamjoy]

4. What Are His Thoughts

on things like Social Security, Iraq, Reproductive Freedom and Economic Justice?

Does he truly represent Democratic ideals or is he just looking to use the name to get into office and then switch back to Republican?

[bowens43]

5. What makes you think that he wouldn't switch back

once in office? I couldn't support someone who would prefer to run as a republican. It seems to me that if he is willing to change parties he must lack conviction.

[Dr.Phool]

10. That's what I've got to feel out.

I met another guy last winter at the Dean meet-ups, who used to be a Republican Executive Committee member, but was disgusted when the religious right took over. He switched parties back then, and is running for a statehouse seat. But after talking with him, I can support him.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. I agree

Didn't someone do that? They ran as one thing and then switched?

[beyurslf]

6. I am always leary of someone who switches parties...

[BigBearJohn]

8. I agree

[sacxtra]

15. I switched party

From Democrat, to Libertarian. And now since they won't talk about this. I might change party again.

Although I will be voting March 8th (Tommorow) (IN THE 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT) to replace Matsui on this insecure piece of technology.

[elehhhhna]

9. It worked for Zell & Joementum!

[Padraig18]

13. Joe's a progressive.

He has a lifetime 78 rating from the ADA. Equating him with Zell Miller is absurd.

:eyes:

[dolstein]

18. But Joe discusses such taboo issues as morality and military force

Sure, Joe has a liberal voting record on most issues. But he believes that morals matter, and that the moral underpinnings of policies matter. Sure, he thinks that progressive policies have a stronger moral foundation than the conservative policies advanced by the Bush administration. But this simply isn't acceptable to the typical DU'er, who believes that morality has absolutely no place in the public discourse.

And Joe -- just like FDR, Truman, JFK and LBJ -- also believes that military force can be used to advance the cause of democracy and freedom. The typical DU'er, who rejects the pre-George McGovern Democratic foreign policy tradition, considers this unacceptable. They believe either that military force should never be used at all (because innocent people might die), or that it should only be exercised through the UN, or that it should only be used if America is attacked.

[Padraig18]

19. Well said, dolstein.

Sometimes I wonder at some of the stuff I read here.

[sacxtra]

14. They Could be the Best Person in the world, but it won't matter HERES WHY!

You'll never verify they got elected. ;o)

[mattclearing]

16. There's something that bugs me about someone who would

join either party depending on which could more easily accomodate his political ambitions.

[shance]

17. As it should Tasteblind.

:)

[applegrove]

21. I would not support a 'quick convert' until they were invested and

public about their conversion. Especially in this day and age. Too much 'switch & baits' going on. I think people need to trust each other and know each other to run for a seat. He should come out publically and then put in some time and show that he means it.