Encouraged by some news I heard this evening...

[kentuck]

My wife and I went to dinner with a couple of dear friends we had not seen in a good while. He is a retired Colonel who taught at the Air Force Academy and his wife is a retired school teacher. Both are longtime Democrats. We talked politics for about three solid hours.

They are acquainted with several moderate Republicans. They said they are totally disenchanted with the direction of the Republican Party. They don't think Bush and Cheney represent the Party at all. They are not inclined to vote Republican anytime in the near future.

I know it's only a small sampling but I believe it may indicate a much larger trend. I am encouraged by their report. Perhaps I'm looking for a toothpick in the ocean but I don't think so...



PS...thanks to the anonymous donor for the heart!

[kskiska]

1. There is no more Republican Party.

It's been hijacked by the religious right. The former Republicans, like my 85-year-old dad, are still hanging on to a "Republican Party" in name only.

[radio4progressives]

8. Both Parties got hijacked by Neo Cons/Neo Libs

they're both really after the same thing... many of the same interests and goals .. (too bad the freepers don't realize it)

on edit: thanks for sharing the story, it's encouraging! :hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

9. I think the only way

there will ever be a republican party anymore is if traditional republicans (whether old school or whatever) stand up to the fundies and big corporations. I'm not going to hold my breath of course.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Collecting stories like this here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x389971

It's so good to keep hearing about these conversions.

[catmother]

3. their beginning to wake up from a long sleep.

:dem:

[stevietheman]

4. On the flip side, does anyone have any stories of Democrats/Progressives..

turning to the Republican Party?

They all seem to be coming our way, not the other way around.

[lostnfound]

10. You know, that seemed true in 2004 as well.

That's what continues to worry me.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. Trouble is we heard a lot of stories like this in '04. Makes me more

skeptical than hopeful until positive election results are seen. Even "missed it by that much" cases like Hackett in Ohio could potentially have been steals by fraudulent vote manipulation, so it's hard to be too heartened by these stories without seeing real results.

[upi402]

6. Good news. I've experience the same thing.

Sadly, it took Katrina to wake them up. They like Bush for hate-the-weak reasons and the false economic reasons that are typical.
Recommended!

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Nice!

Maybe Eisenhower's prediction was right! Remember his farewell address? I think he knew this would happen (or at least they would try) since he did know Prescott Bush. So it looks as though it's happening doesn't it? Now if all these people go out and vote democratic in the midterms this will be great!

[insane_cratic_gal]

11. that sample is much wider then you think

I have moderates in my family who are now voting Dem. My mom was one, she's completely disenchanted by the republican party! So is my grandmother, grandfather, dad, a few of their friends.

They have gone and completely isolated moderate Republican, the RW has called them unpatriotic and a traitor. Adding more to the Democratic ranks every day