General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAre there Dems in office that are actually Repubs?
A woman from Arkansas called into a radio show and asked if there was some rule or policy about a politician running for office as a Dem, getting elected, and then switching to be a Republican? She said this happened 3 times in Arkansas and she was not happy about it.
I wonder how deep this Republican coup is? There are all these think tanks happening on the sly, they must be coming up with ideas they implement without people knowing.
10 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
Yes, there are Dems in office that are Republicans. | |
9 (90%) |
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No, there are not Republicans masquerading as Dems. | |
1 (10%) |
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0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |
brooklynite
(94,581 posts)...but there's little purpose in remaining hidden in a Party with minority status.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)brooklynite
(94,581 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)I wonder if that has happened from this last election?
I would be outraged if that happened in my state. They would have protestors regularly on their doorstep.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,412 posts)Senator Richard Shelby was one of them. So was former Democratic/Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse-Campbell. But, of course, we also had a few Republicans switch our way as well. James Jeffords of VT gave us control of the Senate for a short amount of time back in 2002 by leaving the Republican and caucusing with the Democrats as an Independent and the late Arlen Specter switched after President Obama's election for the remainder of his term- until he was primaried by Sestak in 2010. I'm actually surprised that Manchin is holding firm as a Democrat after this last election. I would have expected him to immediately switch sides, but he must not be very confident that he would survive a Republican primary in 2018 and probably is banking on having more of a chance at re-election as a Democrat (because he knows we need him for the numbers)?
handmade34
(22,756 posts)Joe Manchin
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)"Manchin is known for his bipartisanship, voting or working with Republicans on issues such as abortion and gun ownership."
To me, this could mean he "sides" with Republicans...
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)He is merely representing the people of his state (AKA his job description).
Rhythm
(5,435 posts)Never met a Republican talking point he didn't like (except for trying to keep coal miners' pensions/healthcare solvent).
He came of age in a time when Democrats were in the majority of even the county legislatures, so that's how he's registered.
Wish he'd just change already, so he could better reflect who he actually ~is~.
CBHagman
(16,984 posts)Does that mean ostentatious use of mascara?
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)MineralMan
(146,317 posts)You must have some people in mind for your odd poll. I am abstaining from selection one of your two options.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)I am going off of this woman's story from the radio and it concerned me.
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)I haven't heard anyone suggesting that there are Republicans pretending to be Democrats. There are Democrats who don't always vote with the Democratic caucus on some issues. There are Democrats who are more conservative than average, because there are districts and states where a progressive candidate can never win.
I understand your concern, but your poll has too few options for me to be able to vote in it.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)She called into the Thom Hartmann show, maybe this was last week, and said her state is almost completely red and getting worse with moves like this. She said x3 politicians were voted in as Democrats and while in office, changed to Republican. I have not looked into the politics of Arkansas to know either way.
Regarding the poll, well, it is my first.
What other options do you want on it?
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,854 posts)I don't know which ones since I don't examine all of them enough.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)I read a little of his Wikipedia page. I wonder what principles of the Democratic Party appealed to him in the first place? Glad he is out of office.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,854 posts)He was even anti-abortion near the latter part of his political career.
SaschaHM
(2,897 posts)My last Senator wasn't a super progressive and I didn't agree with many of her votes. However, the actual republican we replaced her with is much, much worse and he doesn't put us in the majority.
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)I am more concerned about those that vote like Republicans and pretend to be Democrats. They end up taking up a seat that could go to someone more progressive.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)In the middle is their politicking work influencing others, writing legislation proposals, running committees, and influencing the public.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,412 posts)It might be worth it to try to primary them in a state that is likely to vote for a more progressive Democrat, but if we're talking a blood-red state, the seat would likely just go to the Republicans if the choice is between an ultra-right-wing Tea Party type and a Bernie Sanders Progressive, the teabagger will most likely win unless they implode. It sucks but that's pretty much the political reality. Remember too, that Blue Dogs Democrats add to our numbers in the House and Senate if nothing else and if we hold a majority, we hold the power. Yeah, we might have one or two Blue Dogs whom are not with us on a few votes but they'll be with us more often than a batsh*t insane teabagger Senator or Rep.
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)Every time Harold Ford or Rahm Emmanuel or one of those characters shoved a blue dog down our throats two things happened.
1 They sold us out hard and fast on everything Democrats are supposed to stand for.
2 And then they would lose to a goddamned Republican anyhow.
Despite the fact that Truman was not my favorite Democrat he did say one thing right (paraphrased) "when given a choice between a Republican and a Democrat that sounds like a Republican why would anyone pick the Democrat?"
Blanche Lincoln would be the first example I whip out.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)"when given a choice between a Republican and a Democrat that sounds like a Republican why would anyone pick the Democrat?"
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)for a variety of threads and dialogs. Sounds like this one is not for you.
Johonny
(20,851 posts)not a ridged ideology. People that have flocked to the democratic party came because
1) they're sick of the 60's culture war
2) they think the government works
3) they support governing, even conservatives want roads and bridges.
Basically the GOP has become the burn the whole thing down party and frankly isn't so much a party as every man for themselves graftfeast. When that's your other option it is no wonder conservatives are coming to the democratic party.
It wasn't that long ago the GOP was a spectrum party too, but then well this generation of idiots came to power and ran out the liberals, moderates, and apparently anyone with a brain cell. It's taken their voters a long time to catch on that the GOP party they are voting for no longer exists. Whereas Dems seem to always be disappointed their party isn't more liberal, although this years platform was pretty darn liberal by 21st century standards.
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)Your comment is condensed understanding from knowledge overtime.
I appreciate it. Thank you.
Edit: I just noticed you voted No, which seems in contrast to your comment. Now I am very confused.
MFM008
(19,814 posts)I believe he will switch parties.
Or he should.
kimbutgar
(21,155 posts)That is why it is important to research a candidate for higher office before voting for them.
If anyone with half a brain really looked at any rethug candidate they would not vote for them.
Quixote1818
(28,942 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)...per Wikipedia.
This was interesting from Wikipedia.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)What is the "better" part of the sentence?