Poll-Have you Switched Political Parties in the Past Four Years? (It's Anonymous)

[Kurovski]

We have a limited amount of space for choices, so I have created questions that reflect my main curiosities and what-all.

Thank you for participating. if you are also curious, please kick this thread.

[dkf]

1. What happened to "no"?

Is that other?

[Kurovski]

5. I was going to assume if you didn't participate, you didn't switch.

Which of course assumes everyone at DU will participate, which of course isn't going to happen. :) (wha...?) But if folks just post "no change" that will help to kick the thread.

I could only fit in only the "most important" questions. ;)

(Really though? that's what the last question is for.)

[dkf]

14. Heh heh. Yup that Kurovski is a handsome devil.

[damntexdem]

19. Will of us who didn't vote raise their hands?

If you don't ask for responses from those who didn't switch, how do you put the responses you did receive into context?

[Kurovski]

23. That would be "other". I guess.

My fuzzy brain is hopping around right now. :)

Last night's Ed Schultz show had two Republican men who left their party featured in a segment, and it prompted this poll. I don't know how to create a spreadsheet for comparative study. Or like, whatever the thing, you know, um...yeah.

EDIT: It should have been Other/No Party Switch. You are correct. Never create a Poll before Coffee consumption is completed. Not so after all, am I? Dang.

[Kurovski]

30. I should have put Dem to Communist Party USA in there.

I apologise for the over site. I apologize to any other party I didn't/couldn't fit in.

I mean no disrespect.

Which is unusual for me, but I mean it.

[TorchTheWitch]

46. then you better re-write the question

The question includes those people who haven't switched parties in the past few years which is probably the largest group of voters that the question addresses. Including those people who have not switched parties in the past four years in the poll question but not providing a reasonable poll choice to answer (ie: "no, I have not switched parties in the past four years") skews the poll results like no other skewed poll could. If you are only expecting those people to vote who have switched parties in the past four years than you need to re-write the question to: "IF you have switched parties in the past four years, from what party to what party did you switch."

You could only fit in the "most important" questions? When you don't provide a poll response for what is probably the largest group the poll question addresses but you had enough room to fit in a silly response about yourself having nothing at all to do with the poll question? Pfffftttt.

[Kurovski]

49. it's too late. And the 'failure' is already covered in the thread. I'm not doing a university study.

It was for curiosity and amusement--fairly clearly expressed--on a slow day.

And as for the information that I was seeking, I found what I was looking for and even more. If it's that important to you, you may conduct a poll of your very own along those lines. I would fully support your poll in this matter, whatever approach you may choose to take.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. No. Still a Democrat but have voted 3rd party several times.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1789.

"Were parties here divided merely by a greediness for office,...to take a part with either would be unworthy of a reasonable or moral man." Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1795.

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." John Quincy Adams

[Motown_Johnny]

3. I can't wait how many "Republican to Green" we get

:sarcasm:

[Monique1]

6. and one who changed

from Dem to Ind - I remain voting a straight Dem ticket and always will but I changed a few years to vote for a repuke in the primary who I wanted in office here as I knew there was no Dem running against him. I may need to go back to Dem if there is nothing happening in the primary.

[Kurovski]

9. I know personally of one person who could possibly.

But still, that was funny. :D It's the longest shot. Notice I don't have Republican to Socialist.

EDIT: there is an environmental movement growing among Right-leaning religious groups. But I think maybe the stance on choice may influence them against the Greens. I don't know what the green platform is on abortion. I'll go look it up in a bit. Probably pro-choice? I must away for 10 minutes or so...

[Motown_Johnny]

21. Pro Choice

http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Green_Party_Abortion.htm

^snip^


Women’s right to control their bodies is non-negotiable

Women’s right to control their bodies is non-negotiable. It is essential that the option of a safe, legal abortion remains available. The “morning-after” pill must be affordable and easily accessible without a prescription, together with a government-sponsored public relations campaign to educate women about this form of contraception. Clinics must be accessible & must offer advice on contraception; consultation about abortion and the performance of abortions.
Source: 2008 Green Party Platform from 2008 Chicago Convention Jul 13, 2008



Keep safe & legal abortion

We believe the right of a woman to control her own body is inalienable. It is essential that the option of a safe, legal abortion remains available.
Source: Green Party Platform, at 2000 National Convention Jun 25, 2000



Cover abortion under national health care system

cover all standard medical procedures, treatment, diagnosis, etc. as well as drug treatment, dental care, medication, chronic and terminal illness, and abortion.

[Kurovski]

24. Thank you.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[GreenPartyVoter]

60. My Dad went from Repub, to Indy, to Green. So it wasn't all in one step.

:hi:

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Nope, Democrat since 1972.

[vi5]

7. After 24 years as a Democrat...

I have the paperwork ready to go to switch to independent. Something is still preventing me from making the move and submitting it, but I'm quite sure I will.

I still support the same things I always supported and oppose the same things I always opposed. And for the past 24 years I was confident even in the worst of times that the Democratic party stood for at least 75% of the same things I did and would fight for those positions and elect leaders who believed in and would fight tooth and nail for those positions. And even at it's most disjointed and chaotic, that was I believe true. I never wanted or expected 100% or a pony. I never expected victory every time. But I expected solid tries every time.

And very little or none of that is true any more. And even in the past when I got frustrated I always knew that there would be primaries for me to get my voice to be heard. But now that the Democratic party leadership discourages primaries, and so many (formerly) fellow democrats cried and yelled at me talking about how primaries hurt the party, and far too many put maintaining power above actual values and ideals.........it just doesn't represent me any more.

[Kurovski]

28. I might be where you are...in a few years.

And I've crossed over in local elections a few times. Not always straight democratic. But mostly, yes.

[sendero]

66. +1

... the Dems don't even try any more. I haven't heard ONE DEMOCRAT call out the Republicans over their ridiculous claim that reducing taxes on the rich creates jobs. If it did, we'd be awash in jobs right now.

It's all theater now, the Dems are just as complicit with the corporate rape of America as the Republicans, they are just the "good cop" side of the equation.

With a few obvious notable exceptions of course (Sanders, Dean, Kuchinich, etc)

[vi5]

67. Ah yes, those 3 you mentioned...

1 isn't a Dem.
The other was thanked for all of his efforts at getting Democratic majorities and a Democratic White House by being driven out of his position and replaced by Tim Kaine and rewarded with....nothing from the president.
And the third is pretty much in danger of being voted out of office thanks to redistricting.

Wonderful. Meanwhile people like Kent Conrad and Bart Stupak and Mark Warner and Max Baucus are given full power of crafting legislation in committees and allowed to hold the Democratic agenda hostage.

[sendero]

75. If my post...

.... somehow sounded hopeful to you, well I should try harder.

Our government has been co-opted, and its not just Republicans, it's ALL OF THEM.

People who sit around here acting like things will get better if we elect this guy or that guy, oh really?

We did that, we had control of the presidency, the house and the senate and we got JACK SHIT, and it really doesn't matter who you elect now, the entire game is rigged and guess what these fuckers have figured out - nobody is paying attention and they can do whatever they want. Laws mean nothing any more, elections are a joke where thousand of magical votes appear from nowhere and NOTHING will be done about it - count on that.

Now, if they actually try to dismantle Medicare or SS they might piss off a few seniors and lose a few elections but they don't care really. They have been carefully cultivating the message for decades that for younger people these program will not pay, so all they have to do is say "well if you are 55 or older this won't affect you" and most of the over 55 set will buy it. But of course its not true, that's just the camel's nose.

But our elected officials don't have to wowrry, every senator or congressman that plays ball will have a cushy high-paying job waiting for them when they lose their re-election for carrying water for the dismantle government crowd.

The idea that the party is being held hostage by a few blue dogs is utter drivel, and that is all I have to say about that.

[vi5]

76. Bingo....

But oh, always remember and never forget "The republicans will be worse!!!!!" Which is true, but that's little more than an excuse to allow OUR party to continue to creep the entire country and all terms of acceptable dialogue ever more rightward so that they can keep bathing themselves in whatever scraps of corporate cash are left over after the republicans have fully fed at the trough.

That's what's most infuriating about this. The Democratic party has sold out the poor and working and middle class and the youth of this country not to become the kings and queens of corporate cash (which they'll never be), but for nothing more than the privelige of chewing on whatever rancid bones and scraps are left over after the republicans have theirs.

Pathetic and sickening.

[sendero]

77. Nothing is worse.

... than the total destruction of the Democratic brand, which is what will happen if Obama doesn't fight the dismantling of Medicare tooth and nail.

He's come out against the dismantling but he does that every time, right before he folds like a paper napkin.

Honestly, I'd rather have a Palin or an Pawlenty who will eventually take the blame for the shit they are doing than see one more Democrat ruin our party.

[vi5]

78. I would rather that as well...

I'm sorry, but this slow, painful, excruciating dismantling of not only the Democratic brand (as you so succinctly put it) but essentially the American way of life since the New Deal is horrible and happening under largely Democratic rule. Get it over with and let the Republicans take the blame.

And yes, if I thought Obama's words and commitments meant anything at this point I'd feel safe in knowing he and the Democrats in general won't cave on Social Security and Medicare. But caving and capitulating and going after the non-existent middle is what he does best.

[onehandle]

8. I don't see Know Nothing to Whig.

So I'm getting in my horse and buggy and leaving.

[Kurovski]

10. Please don't!

I was just going to have a taffy-pull for us and play my banjo!

[EFerrari]

11. I switched to Green after the fiasco of 2000.

Switched back in 2006.

But you're still too smart and handsome. lol

[Kurovski]

13. You are the bestest friend ever!

And this certainly reveals just how smart you are! :D :loveya:

[charlie and algernon]

12. I swtiched from Whig to the Bull Moose Party

[Kurovski]

15. Algernon is quite the Bull-Moosey name.

And so I say "Capitol choice!" and "Bully for you, my lad/lassie!"

[Scurrilous]

16. Democrat since '74.

"I'd rather fight than switch." :thumbsup:

[Kurovski]

17. Carltons/black eye and all!

:D

[Shiver]

18. Anti-Masonic party to Free Soil Party

No slavery in the western territories!

[Kurovski]

26. Don't make me Google!!

:rofl:

[Green_Lantern]

20. NO whether we like it or not the US is a two party system..

The Green party will only get enough support to hurt the Democratic party and help Republicans.

[a la izquierda]

22. I picked other...

I was registered as an SPA in California, switched in Oklahoma to vote in the primaries in 2008, and will likely switch back to SPA if I retain my Oklahoma voter registration when I move. Oklahoma Democrats always pick the most conservative candidate anyway, so I don't see the point in voting in the primaries.

[Modern_Matthew]

25. Republican (To Vote For Ron Paul) to Libertarian and to Democrat recently.

I saw the error of my ways. Working in retail opened my eyes but hearing one statement by Van Jones on YouTube sealed my change. He said something along the lines of concentrated economic power being as dangerous as concentrated political power.

I consider myself to be more of a Democratic Socialist at this point.

[Kurovski]

27. Welcome to DU, Matthew!

I know it's been a few months, but I'm not adverse to welcome-wagon-ing it belatedly. :hi:

[Green_Lantern]

82. hey Matthew...we share the same name...

Glad to have a progressive convert.

[PBS Poll-435]

29. Nah. Like being a Clippers or Lions fan

:P

[Kurovski]

31. Shall we mark you down as "Independent"?

Or just one of them-there "Free Spirits"? :)

[PBS Poll-435]

32. Not at all. My team is my team; win, lose, or draw.

:)

[Kurovski]

34. I get it now.

I thought you meant something altogether different.

Go team! :thumbsup:

[JoePhilly]

33. Other: No. Been a Dem for a long time.

[undeterred]

65. +36

[Wait Wut]

35. "I don't know."

In my youth I was still registered a Democrat, but was anti-Clinton and pro-whoeverwasgoingtosavetheworld, which didn't really cover any Dems. I would "protest vote" which means...stay home. Yes, I'm completely aware of my idiocy. I was young and dumb. If I had paid closer attention, instead of referring to myself as an Activist Democrat, I would have called myself a Progressive.

Now...I'm still a Democrat. Was born one, will die one. No flavor of Dem. Just plain Democrat.

GO BLUE OR GO HOME!

P.S. Please, let me once again apologize to our country for saying all the shit I did about Clinton. He wasn't nearly as bad as I thought at the time. I promise to never "protest vote" again as long as I live, so help me Teddy.

:patriot:

[trud]

64. Clinton

Yeah, that NAFTA was a real win (rolls eyes.)

[uncle ray]

36. just because YOU don't know how one responds, doesn't make it anonymous.n/t.

[Kurovski]

39. Good point.

Just anonymous to the general DU populace.

It's a flawed poll on a number of counts. Maybe I'll redo it in a few months.

I admit to the sack of fail involved here. Very flawed.

[Renew Deal]

37. People say DU has changed. Maybe it's all the right wingers becoming independents.

:shrug:

[Kurovski]

43. And that's the thing...

My attitude is changing in that it's hard to blame Republican voters for the terrible things going on in Michigan and Wisconsin, to name two examples. None of the elected leaders in their campaigns said that they'd be taking these measures once in office.

I'm going to try to insert "Republican LEADERS" in rants and criticism when applicable. People did NOT vote for the truly terrible events taking place in our country. I see the shift in the area where I live, (folks mostly 70-90 years of age). For three years and through many discussions, I have seen the awakening to what's being done.

I'm trying to open my free-wheeling partisanship to some moderation in understanding of this. There has been a real upheaval. Even a Beck fan (who even his own Republican friends and family have been chiding for the past two years) is crestfallen to realize that Beck is full of nonsense. he is a good, decent and generous person with real humor. You couldn't say even one word negative about his character.

People did not vote for this Republican party as it now exists, overall. I want to keep my eye on the fact that it is the elected (maybe at times through very nefarious means) officials who have lied terribly to good people. we are not one another's enemy. Everyone wants many of the same things. I want to focus as best I can on the Leaders and public figures who promote damaging policies that hurt ALL of us.

And together, we can all accomplish that. The Democratic party still has its platforms that we have fought for and I won't back down, but also I want to find the common ground on which to communicate and accomplish the goals America absolutely needs to achieve together.

Just call me the Polish Pollyanna. I can hardly believe this myself.

[rosesaylavee]

52. This should be it's own OP...

We all need to stop fighting each other and direct our anger and action toward these 'Republican Leaders' who are leading in ways not consistent with what they said to get into office.

And if you are Polish Pollyanna, I think we need to hear more from this perspective.

[Kurovski]

53. It;s been brewing for a while, maybe I'll do just that.

Maybe Have an expanded edition in the future.

The anger really belongs directed to leaders who lie and play very conscious tricks. Often It takes time to realize one is being duped. Sometimes, as in the Walker/collective bargaining case it is obvious and results in a clear stripping of rights. It's easier to grasp and see then the loss of Habeas Corpus and other rights, and completely impossible to have a cogent, believable argument for.

And the "Tea Party" itself is not much more than deceit and racism. I've found very few in that manufactured movement to respect.

EDIT: I also wouuld say a focus be placed on those dem leaders who enable, or even promote some of the same things. The Dems have been pushed much too far, and some 'placed' into the same positions that damage the commonwealth.

[rosesaylavee]

56. Evidence Evan Bayh.

Glad he's gone.

[Terra Alta]

38. I was once a Republican

Switched to Democratic in 2007 partly because of how much Dumbya was destroying the country and partly because I started working for Wal-mart.. which really opened my eyes to how much control corporations have over their employees, and the country. I promised myself I would never vote Republican again.

[Kurovski]

50. And even a Rachel fan. But then, she's one of the sweetest broadcasters out there.

Very easy to take, and a stickler for facts, even if she is decidedly programming with a Progressive slant.

I'm glad you had the chance to change your life, and did it. :hi:

[Terra Alta]

57. yes she is.

Rachel is my hero, and one of the few in the media I can trust.

[myrna minx]

40. Guess how I voted, you handsome devil, but only my hairdresser knows for sure...

and he's a commie. :loveya:

[Kurovski]

41. ...and a dirty Pinko at that.

In his terrible dark heart-of-hearts. :loveya:

[mmonk]

42. No but am considering # 2. I could still vote in the primaries

while disavowing a relationship with Republican lites.

[franzia99]

44. I'm a dem/independent. I like to think for myself but I always vote dem.

There are never any republicans I can stomach.

[Kurovski]

45. Thank you to all who participate and contribute. (nt)

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kurovski]

48. Welcome to DU...'mpulsov!

I see where Microsoft has a policy against cheaters who are just looking for a paid search for other work, but isn't it obvios that man is actually getting BRAIN SURGERY?

I can't Help but to think that Microdaft will change their mind once they get slammed by the public and the crappy publicity.

[rosesaylavee]

51. No change

and I of course voted "Kurovski is Too Smart and too Handsome" as that is soooooo obviously the correct answer. :P

[Kurovski]

54. "Rob is a dingbat!"

:hi:

[SteveG]

55. I switched from Independent to Democrat in 1976

So I could participate in the Caucuses.

[AsahinaKimi]

58. Always been a Dem...

When my dad came from Japan, He became a US Citizen and a Democrat. My mom has always been a Democrat. Runs in the family?

[Kurovski]

59. My parents are the same, both Democrats.

Unions are a big deal.

And both of their personalities and beliefs were/are right in keeping (for the most part) with what Dems stand--or should--stand for. :hi:

was your mom a born US citizen? Do you have relatives in Japan now? I read that someone here at DU mentioned they did. I hope all are well, if so. I had to step away from the internet for over a week because so much news was so upsetting, but most of all the terrible suffering of Japan. I was just a coward for a week.

[AsahinaKimi]

61. My mom

Is Half Japanese, Half Korean. She was born in New York City. Her mother who still lives with her was born in Korea and lived in South Korea most of her life. Her husband was from Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan. There maybe family there but I don't know for sure, because my grandfather passed away several years ago.

My father has family, his brother, wife, with three girls, live in Osaka, Japan. They seem to be doing fine there. My dad offered his brothers family to come to the States if things got too bad, and they declined. My mother and father live in NY state, and I am out in California. I was born in San Francisco and grew up here. It was only recently, five years ago, that my parents moved to NY so my father could set up his clinic there with an old Doctor friend of his.

[Kurovski]

68. Your dad sounds like the kind of person my dad was.

And you've lived/live in some of my favorite places! thanks for the info, I like following your posts on DU. See you around, AK!

[jp11]

62. No poll on this site is anonymous someone can see your vote this has been shown in the past.

[Kurovski]

69. I thought only admins could see it, I missed the info where everyone is privy to it. Eep!

So on top of being a lame loser poll "creator", I'm a liar too. Everyone should just put me on ignore. :)

...I mean, those who haven't done so already.

[trud]

63. But

I haven't switched parties, been a Democrat for over 40 years. BUT I am not voting for Obama in 2012. His delisting the gray wolves as endangered was the last straw for me.

So many broken promises, so little evidence he ever meant to keep them. Not a finger lifted to deal with global warming so now it's too late to prevent catastrophe. Ended the war in Iraq? How about no, and started the war with Libya. Not a finger lifted to stop the importation of cheap stuff made at slave labor wages and no pollution control costs, destroying U.S.jobs.

He could have done so much, and he didn't even try almost all the time.

2012: writing in for Howard Dean/Bernie Sanders or voting Green. The only way we will stop the headlong rush to the right of the Democratic Party is to stack up noticeable vote to the left.

[Kurovski]

72. Great disappointments all.

I do not as yet have a plan for 2012.

But We are in for a world of hurt, at any rate.

[Dappleganger]

70. Been a NPA for a decade now...

nearly always vote for democrats if they pass the smell test.

[Cascadian]

71. I vote on principles not by simply a party name.

I am a left-of-center independent. I do not think I could ever back Republicans. At least not anymore. In my past, I only voted for two Republicans but they were very Centrist but that was years ago. I like to vote on principles not for simply a party name like a lot of people do these days.


John

[Kurovski]

73. I've voted R for people who were doing good jobs in practical positions locally.

I like when people take their time instead of just going straight ticket. Locally especially, that is extremely important, IMO.

[Cascadian]

74. That's what I did.

The Republican people I voted for, both of them, were miles from the Tea Party/religious lunatics that have infested the G.O.P. They were more Tom McCall than Tea Party.

John

[Kurovski]

79. Kick. (nt)

[Blue-Jay]

80. Fuck no, I haven't.

[tabbycat31]

81. officially yes

I always had liberal views but when I first registered to vote at 18 I chose not to affiliate myself with a party.

I moved to NJ in 2007 and registered to vote on the deadline for the presidential primary. I've been a registered Democrat ever since.

[fascisthunter]

83. Still registered Democratic but now consider myself to be a Democratic Socialist