Just a question from a rather new bee here. Are there any Republicans

[Ozma]

Who are posters here and have enjoyed working with us over this last year here at the DU? Any of you find the DU more welcoming than any Republican site? Any of you who want some input into which Republicans Obama might want to have in his administration.

I would sure like to see Colin Powell, don't know much about other Repubs. Maybe we could have a list of possibles.

Or is there already a thread somewhere for this? I'm just thinking that if there are Republicans here who might know some other Republicans who would be a good fit for Obama.

[Occam Bandage]

1. Republicans don't tend to last long here.

Hell, moderate Democrats can find this place unwelcoming in the offseason.

[dennis4868]

2. fuck...

republicans!

[Hope And Change]

4. Errr, not a very smart comment.Especially not in this thread!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

3. If you read the fine print:

About Democratic Underground, LLC

Democratic Underground (DU) was founded on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001, to protest the illegitimate presidency of George W. Bush and to provide a resource for the exchange and dissemination of liberal and progressive ideas. Since then, DU has become one of the premier left-wing websites on the Internet, publishing original content six days a week, and hosting one of the Web's most active left-wing discussion boards.

We welcome Democrats of all stripes, along with other progressives who will work with us to achieve our shared goals. While the vast majority of our visitors are Democrats, this web site is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, nor do we claim to speak for the party as a whole.

Democratic Underground would not be possible without the participation of like-minded individuals from across the country and, indeed, from around the world. The content for the site is provided by people who feel that their views are not represented by the conservative "mainstream" media in the U.S. We accept article submissions from those on the left who wish to write, so that DU represents a variety of progressive viewpoints. We have a particular appreciation for satire and humor.

Visitors may also participate in our discussion forums, which have become one of the most popular places on the Web for members of the political left to share ideas and discuss the issues.

This website exists so our members and guests are assured that there are many others across the country who share their outrage at the unilateral, arrogant, and extreme right-wing approach taken by George W. Bush and his team, the conservative Republicans in Congress, and the five conservative partisans on the Supreme Court. We address the right in harsh terms, and we fully intend to make the word "conservative" absolutely radioactive. In that spirit, DU has already gained countrywide notoriety as the originator of the weekly Top Ten Conservative Idiots list, which is published (almost) every Monday.

Democratic Underground gets lots of visitors and we rely mostly on donations to pay our expenses. We therefore invite you to make a contribution to our efforts in whatever amount you can afford. Democratic Underground is legally a for-profit organization, therefore, you won't get a tax deduction for your contribution. However, you will get the satisfaction of knowing that as long as there are conservative idiots, Democratic Underground will be here to hold them accountable (and maybe even make fun of them).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/about.html

[Breeze54]

16. "... and we fully intend to make the word "conservative" absolutely radioactive."

:rofl:

I LOVE that!! :P

[rug]

5. Even if they voted for Obama they're still republicans.

[NYC_SKP]

6. There are Republicans, and then there are conservatives.

And these labels can be misleading.

Some at DU might reject any Republican under any circumstances, others might appreciate the efforts of some Republicans, while still being Democratic at their core.

Both parties have changed over the decades, and there are regional differences. Southern Democrats, for example, were once more racist than Republicans (or so I've read), so the whole political landscape is very diverse.

I don't know of a DU discussion forum dedicated to Independents or Right-leaning, or open discussion of "friendly" Republicans.

However, in my experience here, I don't think one would be banned for starting a "Colin Powell appreciation thread", for example, if the intentions are to show support for a Republican who is showing support for progressive causes or for Democratic party principals.

Carefully read the rules, the moderators are quite fair and allow for a broad range of topics, if posted in the appropriate forum.

:patriot:

[Quantess]

7. There are / have been several DUers who are former-R

But then, Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks was once a republican, if that tells you anything.
There are independents and non-committed DUers, but I can't think of any real republicans who haven't gotten their tombstone.

[NYC_SKP]

8. Joe Leiberman. "Democrat".

Would not be welcomed here....at least not by me.

[blondeatlast]

10. Nor would he last long before enjoying a kosher pizza. Youd on't have to be a Democrat to post here,

but you do have to be a democrat.

General assholiness (as is Lieberman's forte) never goes over well here.

[NYC_SKP]

15. LOL, puh-lenty of Democrats have gotten the granite cookie.

Gawd, the list is long, when Hillary lost there began a mad headlong rush into the pizza oven....

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

11. What you said. I'm not certain Harry reid would, even--by many (I'd love to see

some of our political leaders here though; it'd be very educational for us AND them!).

[Jackpine Radical]

9. I don't know about these days, but we certainly used to have a tolerance

for Republicans. I even remember one old-time member who posted under the name of "Repub." I think the real test should be whether or not a given person's contributions are useful and productive, and whether they're advancing the discussion, rather than what their philosophical base is. Certainly we have valued participants of every religious stripe here; pro- and anti-gun types, etc. I say anybody who has a useful and non-disruptive contribution to make should be welcome, regardless of ideology.

[gmoney]

12. show me ONE competent Republican from the Bush administration...

The entire administration was staffed with nothing but party hacks and cronies and former lobbyists and other members of "The Wrecking Crew" whose mission it was to destroy the functioning of the US Government. Even non-partisan agencies were gutted and staffed with loyalists.

Why on EARTH should any of these people be considered for any position with more responsibility than Wal-Mart greeter or McD's fry cook?

[carnie_sf]

13. Olympia Snowe

would be a good choice. Plus it would probably flip a senate seat democratic.

[stillcool]

14. People are kind of funny..

a self proclaimed Republican is the worst thing you can be, but someone like Jim Webb gets a pass, and all previous adherence to label is forgotten. The moral is never admit that you now, or ever have been a member of the Republican party. Sounds so McCarthy like, but I guess everybody does it. People don't see, nor do they want to see people for who they are.

[Joiwind]

17. I'm A Gerald Ford/Bob Dole Republican

...and I have been very well treated here.

[Ozma]

18. Good to know.

I have never been a Republican, but sometimes I can admire some of them.

[cwydro]

19. Colin Powell needs to just stay retired.

No thanks.

[TornadoTN]

20. Old school Republicans, the dissatisfied type, generally do very well

I've seen some people, especially in 2004, come over and proclaim they are GOP no more and they've become very productive members of the community.

Beyond that, "Republicans" don't last long here, no matter how hard they try.

[JSK]

21. It's DU, not "the" DU

Sorry, just a little something that bugs me!

[ipfilter]

22. I hate to admit it

but I thought of myself as a Republican in my youth. I'm talking pull yourself up by the bootstrap trickle-down Reagan Republican. The was before I had enough life experience to know the true harsh realities of the world we live in. Over time I realized my bread was buttered by liberal ideals and the Republicans needed people like me only for votes. I officially registered as a Democrat in 2004 and I will never look back. I only "thought" I was a Republican and I regret that I was ever even registered as one of their voters. Fifteen years ago I thought of liberal as a dirty word. Now I fully embrace it. It was just part of a maturation process.

So, having said that, I believe the only "Republicans" who could exists here on DU are former ones such as myself who fully repudiate the Republican party and embrace their true selves. Anyone who would try to advance Republican ideals on this forum are sure to earn their tombstone and rightfully so.