Should I Register as a Republican?
Before liberals vomit and conservatives reach for the Vaseline, let me just say, "Relax."
Few weeks ago, I attended a party in Briargate, northern Colorado Springs, which is the heart of Dobson Land. Focus Freaks everywhere and yet there I stood, at a gathering with my fellow Heebs on a Friday evening. Out in the open and everything. Shabbat Shalom.
Ultimately, politics came up, as they often do with me. And more than a few liberals and moderate Dems said they were registered Republicans.
I spit out my kugel and demanded an explanation.
"The Springs is run by Republicans," Mr. MOT said, summarizing their logic. "Therefore, if we want to participate, we have to be able to vote in the primaries and pick the least offensive rightwinger! As a Democrat, you will be completely shut out of the process. At least we can pick the moderate Republican and counteract some of the damage done by evangelicals in this community. It's the best way to affect change."
Hmmm.
I'm pondering this bit of advice last night while attending the El Paso County Democrats meeting (more on that later) when John Morris, Chair, discussed a current campaign. Liberal activists canvass registered Republicans to discover their take on certain issues. Entire neighborhoods of neocons are then targeted in mailings and personal dialogues in an attempt to court and convert.
So far, and, granted it's only been a month, I've yet to have anyone sit down and ask my views. Only local churches and banks court my ass. Haven't been warmly welcomed by anyone on my side. So you know what that says to me? No one gets attention or love in this area like a Republican. From both sides.
I am sick of being taken for granted. Maybe my vote should not be guaranteed for any political party. Perhaps a walk on the wild side is in order. I mean, I don't think I could actually vote for a Republican over a Democrat. That requires a lack of conscience and darkness of soul I don't possess.
Dark souls are so not hot.
However, as a lifelong liberal activist roaming a new neighborhood and growing increasingly frustrated with my party's lack of backbone and interest - registering as a Republican no longer sounds so bad.
I mean, really. Who wants me?
posted by kate @ 10:20 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Welcome to party disenchantment. It's why I'm an independent with fairly libertarian leanings.
I'm not sure how effective this sleeper tactic would be, though. I mean, in order to sway a vote in such a purportedly high-Republican area, you would have to have a LOT of Democrats abandoning their party and voting in Republican primaries to make a difference. At the same time, you then have to ask yourself what's left over in the Democratic party to vote in their primary. Are only moderate Democrats left who will basically choose the Republican-Lite candidate, ensuring that the actual election will be between Republican Jack Johnson and Democrat John Jackson? Plus, the act of playing this way sort of seems like giving up, admitting the system is not only broke but can't ever work and taking a mercenary approach to politics. And what if, God forbid, you get blinded by the Right and renounce your bleeding-heart liberal ways either through decision or brainwashing?
Being a donkey dressed up in an elephant costume is an awfully awkward way to provoke change.
It has a stealthy 007 quality to it and some say the best way to instigate change is from the inside instead of screaming from outside the walls. But, you'd never be able to contain yourself and quickly blow your cover. Your blood is blue, I'm afraid any attempt at purplefication would drag back all those nasty bathroom visits you've recently suffered.
t...
>>Liberal activists canvass registered Republicans to discover their take on certain issues. Entire neighborhoods of neocons are then targeted in mailings and personal dialogues in an attempt to court and convert.<<
Ah man, some people get all the luck. I'd love for some liberal moonbat (pardon the redundancy) who thinks Bush is Hitler and 9/11 was an inside job pulled off by PNAC Jews to canvas my home. Laughing in their face would be great!
Wish away, we have you.
Republican, Democrat...what is the difference anymore?
^^^ Where they kiss George W. Bush?
Im registered republican here in FL instead of independent (or libertarian) b/c FL has a closed primary, and I like to vote for socially moderate to liberal republican candidates, and more moderate republicans.
For if we had Gallagher as the nominee in 2006, we would have had governor Davis. Instead we have Centrist Crist.
Its a plausible thing to do, and smart too. I mean, how many times, and people, rumble slowly to the general election polls to vote for the least worst candidate?
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