Why do moderate Republicans continue to cling to these lunatics?

[PlanetBev]

What are they getting from it? Groups like Republicans for Choice, individuals like Christy Todd Whitman; I just don't get these people.

After five years of heroic effort, my sister has finally pryed her best friend Jane from a lifetime of Republican addiction. Jane is an old timey moderate Republican who now knows that the Republican party of her youth is no more, and hates Bush with a passion. However, a part of her wants to keep hanging on, as thought it will all change back tomorrow.

Anybody else know people like this?

[devilgrrl]

1. My parents would fall under this category...

particularly my step-father. He still buys into the puritan work ethic crap, as if that gets you ahead these days. They live in 50's and still have their blinders on.

[napi21]

2. I dont think they are. That's why Shrubs poll numbers are in the 30's

I don't think any dems ever supported him, so when those numbers fall, it's the Pub moderates that are leaving him.

That's why he freaked last week when the RW was leaving too!

[PlanetBev]

5. Good point, napi

Can you imagine his poll numbers in three years? He can only tank further and further.

[serryjw]

6. * numbers are going down big time BUT

Democratic numbers are NOT going up. They do not see us as an alternative and unless we get a candidate/message that resonates they will stay home in 2008

[still_one]

3. others are scared

look at what they have done to people who oppossed them

some of them repukes

[GrpCaptMandrake]

4. Because, as they so often accuse Dems,

they "put party before people."

I've found that, while Repigs complain about straight-ticket dem voters, a Repig is, him/herself more willing to vote a straight ticket than a dem.

It's apropos of some criminal justice axiom.

[shenmue]

7. I think it is the name factor

As in, they just couldn't bring themselves to tick the box marked "Democrat," no matter how much their own current officeholders stink. They've always voted one way, they always will; they stick with their beliefs and the so-called roots of the party, just as some people are lifelong Democrats or what have you. I guess they vote for what the party used to be, at least in their minds, instead of what it is now.

However, when I was a Kerry volunteer we heard from a lot of Republicans who were seriously disgusted with Bush and his failures, and I've met even more like that since then. So maybe they will do some rethinking and move across the line. I applaud them for doing so, because if you've been with one thing for a long time, (even though it's obvious to *me* why I don't vote Repub.) it can take a lot to change.

[Skittles]

8. they care more about the GOP than they do about America

treasonous bastards, all of them, as far as I am concerned

[RB TexLa]

9. Some depends on location and history

Go back to 1930's through 60's Massachusetts and you find on many social issues the Democrats to be very restrictive on progress and the more affluent blue blood WASP Republicans to be more forward thinking. One major battle was over allowing birth control. I know many older southerners who are Democrats because that is what they have always been and will be until they die regardless of where their politics better fit. I have differences sometimes with what is generally regarded as the "official" Democratic positions, free trade, some of the gun control, and the estate tax are a few. I registered as a Democrat when I turned 18 in Louisiana, once again my parents were Democrat, my grand parents and probably theirs too. I believe what I believe to be right and what I believe to be best for our country and our people, in my opinion the core values and positions of the Democratic Party are the closest to what I believe and that is why I am a Democrat, I have an Aunt who is a "Republican for choice," and her thinking on party affiliation is the same as mine, except she did have to change parties. If I were to ever feel different about where I belong I would have no problem doing the same but I can't see that ever happening.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. That's why they're called 'conservatives'.

Change is scary, no matter how clear the need for it may seem. When the neocons took over the repubs they got a second core beyond their fascist core, a second core which believes deeply in doing things because that's the way it's always been done. They vote repub cuz they've always voted repub, regardless of who is carrying the label. And only the most extreme events will make them do otherwise.

Not a marriage that can last because, by definition, the extremists create extreme events. But as long as they hold on, they're dangerous, and it makes for a very bitter breakup.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. And this is why

you should vote by canidate and not by party affiliation. I always research a person before I vote for them. I could care less if they are a democrat. I vote if they have the ideals that progress this country.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. Not really

I'm glad she's thinking for herself though. Maybe introduce her to some progressive talk.

[RedOnce]

13. Good question! I am a moderate Republican

I hate the amoral PNAC neocons and their destructive agenda. They have hijacked my country and my party. This is why/how I found DU.

I am not clinging to the lunatics but, should I become a Democrat? Maybe...can anyone show me a plan to turn this mess around and leadership capable of doing it? Honestly, as much as I want to, I just do not see it.

[MissMarple]

15. It's not just either/or. I'm an Independent.

I used to be registered Republican. But, now, I'm looking at politics much as I do religion, and I don't do the dogma thing.

I am, however, very much for the Constitution. It is a liberal document written by liberals who were directly inspired by the Enlightenment. It focuses on the individual, not the corporations or the federal government. One of it's purposes is to promote the general welfare. I think that says a lot.

And as for religion, the colonies all had an established religion. The signers knew that the endorsing a particular religion did not insure anything, not stability, nor morality, nor a just society. That is one reason why we have the first amendment, among the very other weighty reasons. :)

[RedOnce]

16. Thanks, I like your political philosophy

[MissMarple]

19. And welcome to DU!

:hi:

I forgot to add that.

[madville]

14. It is all they have right now

There are many moderate republicans that are disgruntled with the current (R) situation but in their minds they keep telling themselves things like:

- It is still better than having Kerry/Gore
- Democrats equal socialists/communists
- They are single issue voters(abortion, gun control, taxes, etc.)

I think the big reason poll numbers are down right now is that their base is unhappy, not moderates. Things like excessive spending are making real conservatives very unhappy.

[newyawker99]

20. Hi madville!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[NoSheep]

17. Fear of scarcity.

[DanCa]

18. It's a "God thing" it should be transparent that we have been wrongly

framed as the anti religion party. Note I am not anti religion am against the Theocrats that want to impose thier belifs on us.

[No Exit]

21. Because they hate democrats. Pure and simple.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

22. Because they're fucking greedy. n/t

[leftofthedial]

23. half of all Murkans are of below average intelligence

half of all Murkans are less moral than everyone else

half of all Murkans are more selfish than everyone else

half of all Murkans are more ignorant than everyone else

Anyone who has ever been a Repuke, "moderate" or otherwise, fails on all four counts.

[warrens]

24. Because without an alliance of groups who despise each other

They'd never win another election, and they know it. The Dem alliance is fairly natural and most of us share many core values. The Rethugs are only interested in power and money as core values; most of them could not care less about abortion and gay marriage and guns, but they put up with it to keep the looney-toons voting GOP, for instance.

[ComerPerro]

25. The new GOP mantra seems to be

Yes, we suck. We make your lives horrible. But the Democrats will be worse.

And that's all people seem to care about...

Ever notice that those who do get fed up with Bush don't switch to our side (some do, but its very rare) but instead they just say "I don't trust any politicians, I am done with politics).

Fuck it, though. I suppose at least that its a few less uninformed GOP votes.

[cally]

26. I discussed political parties with a recent Russian immigrant

She told me she was going to vote Republican because she believed that the government shouldn't interfere in private life and she believed in smaller government. She just didn't see the reality of what the Republican party is actually doing. The Democrats have been demonized as unpatriotic, government control advocates, and anti-religion. We're also seen as the party of the underclass so if you want to be rich then you better side with the Republicans. I'm fairly sure thats why my parents remain Republicans.

[Beelzebud]

27. They like the money.

[MN ChimpH8R]

28. I know one that flipped to Dem

Old school tolerant country-club Repub from a family of doctors and the well to do. The kind of Repub that donated to Planned Parenthood and is pro choice/privacy. Last time we spoke he said that he despises Bush and is scared to death of the lunatic fundies. He's voting for Democrats these days.