Yes, ex-Republicans convert. Why they are and how to get more.

[x-g.o.p.er]

I suppose that some will never be convinced that a person can change their mind, and that’s o.k. For the time being, this country is still a free one. Some would say that by changing your mind, especially about politics, and particularly about the person you support for president, you can be accused of disloyalty, and for abandoning your party and abandoning your principles. My response to that is that I am an American first, and if I vote for someone just because he is a Republican, (or a Democrat, for that matter) I am being disloyal to my country if I do not believe that person is worthy of my vote. I am being disloyal to my friends that have died in Afghanistan and Iraq for supporting someone, who IMHO does not support them. I am being disloyal to myself.

I say to those DU’ers who do not have faith that Republicans, excuse me, ex-Republicans (look, this will take some getting used to for all of us, lol) are coming over to your side—do not judge a person by a supposed label or by what you think you might know. I still have issues that I believe that we will probably disagree on. But me, like a lot of ex-Republicans, are Americans first and honestly, we’re a lot more like you than you would want to admit. We don’t have horns, we don’t know Ken Lay personally, and we don’t own any Haliburton stock. The only oil I buy is Crisco or Wesson when I go to the grocery store. Really. We work, pay taxes, and try to raise our families the best way we know how. And we’re all furious at George W. Bush and are going to be tireless in our efforts to see he isn’t re-elected.

Yes, I supported Bush in 2000. I do not in 2004. I have never contributed money to a politician before. I will give as much as I can to the Dem nominee this year. I will knock on doors and I will drive people to the polls on election day. On Monday, I am going to re-register as a democrat so I can vote in the FL primary. (So those of you who think I’m still full of crap, email me and I’ll tell you what town in FL I live, and we’ll meet at the courthouse if you need proof). What are my reasons for change? How could someone do a 180 degree shift in a relatively short period of time? Well, I posted that on Friday, I think it was. It’s in the general discussion forum if you care to read. If you haven’t figured out by now, I’m a windbag, so set aside some time, lol.

I haven’t been this fired up about defeating someone since high school football, when the legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes spoke to our team before our homecoming game (our coach had played for him at Ohio State). Anyways, I digress.

Oh, and one more thing. I’ve seen some posts from other DU’ers saying that it’s just good enough if “repukes” just stay home and don’t vote. With all due respect, it’s not good enough. That statement reminds me of an old saying I’ve heard. It goes: “Give someone a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a person to fish, and you’ll feed them for a lifetime.” Simply put, Republicans staying home this year might get our guy across the finish line. Short term that’s great, but what about 2006, the ’08 mid-terms, and beyond? Educate people in what you believe and why you believe it, get them to change their heart, and you get active voters for the long term. But changing hearts and minds won’t go very far if terms like “repukes” are used. Trust me on that one.

For the good of the Republic, Anybody But Bush in ’04!!!! Keep the faith, fight the good fight, and I’ll see all non-believers at the courthouse Monday.

[eyeswideopened]

1. I used to be a Republican too ... n/t

[POed_Ex_Repub]

2. Welcome!

From one POed Ex Repub to another.

:toast:

[woofless]

3. Welcome to DU

Thanks for your patriotism and support. Do no be discouraged by the "spirited" nature of the discussion here. Most of us are passionate about this Party and the need for change and it shows. Tell your friends.

Woof

[rumguy]

4. damn, that is so cool you are registering as a democrat

[Sapphocrat]

5. What changed your mind?

Enquiring lefties want to know!

And... Welcome to DU! :hi:

[x-g.o.p.er]

11. The "Why I changed" tome is on DU...

under "general discussion". Page three, and it's titled "Why this ex-Republican is voting Democrat", or something similar. I posted that on Friday around lunch time

Ted

[Ohio Dem]

6. Welcome to DU!

And great use of the Woody Hayes reference, IMO.

[x-g.o.p.er]

13. Go Bucks!! In Tressel we trust!

[K8-EEE]

7. YOU'RE AWESOME!

Damn I love somebody who can say, it didn't work out how I thought, I changed my mind.

I have a question: Has GWB EVER said "I was wrong?" It seems to me it is impossible. Even with the WMD the finger-pointing immediately gets kicked up to aeorobic intensity.

Welcome aboard Ex! Hey I don't think ALL GOP are evil but honestly this current regime is the worst one we've ever had, I'm confident history will show that.

[Sugarbleus]

8. An Enormous WELCOME to you X

I actually voted Republican once. Now,I do everything I can to persuade my friends that Dems are not "evil communists.."

As someone stated in here, this is an exciting election period and some folks get a wee bit overzealous. Me included.

Generally speaking though,what most of us want is a "Sane", compassionate government that we can trust

Welcome aboard and good luck in your efforts... :D

[maggrwaggr]

9. I know a lot of republicans who are well-intentioned people

I have them in my family. And I can't understand why any of them could support George Bush at this point. To support a guy who is so obviously a criminal just because he's not a democrat is just bizarre to me.

Hell, I'd vote for an honest republican if it meant getting GWB out of office. Especially if he promised to prosecute the entire Bush cabal. And if they actually promised to restore democracy back to this country, government for and by the people, instead of by corporations.

And I've never understood the republican-party penchant for being anti-environment.

A true conservative would be smart enough to realize that protecting our air, land, and water is the most rational thing a person could do.

[corporatewhore]

10. Wecome to Du and dont let some of us hardcore lefties who think voting dem

is selling out to a conservative party scare you :hi:

[fleetus]

12. Good seeing your post.

I saw your (first?) post where you talked about why you left your roots. That took courage and certain amount of humility. I am with you in that I also think that resisting change for the sake of resisting change is foolhardy. The GOP has been browbeating their own into a radical right-wing corner for too long. The tide is turning, and I am glad you have decided to fight for your country at the voting booth as well as on the battlefield.

[Old and In the Way]

14. Where the hell have you been and what took you so long?

LOL!

Great post.

For the record, if the world was reversed and GWB and the folks running the show had been Democrats....I'd have left this Party a long time ago and would be posting a similar story over at *gasp* FreeRepublic! ;-)

[x-g.o.p.er]

15. Took a long walk in the woods

Wandering aimlessly, drinking a lot of kool aid. I'm much better now.

[tkmorris]

16. Hiya ExGOP-er

and welcome to DU. I wanted to post to your "why I switched" thread but it was getting a bit lengthy.

Listen, you are going to hear some noise here from folks who have been getting slapped up side the head by Repubs for so long they are just mad. Not at you of course, at the Repub leadership but you make take some heat. Ignore it please, these are all good people (well....most of us :) ) they are just mad. They have good reason to be. Plus, every day at least a dozen people show up here with the intent to do nothing but disrupt the discussion though they mainly try to pretend they aren't.

I hope you hang around and continue to speak your mind. I have no doubt I fall to the left of you but diversity in ideas is essential to arrive at truth.

Interesting you're in Florida. I am sweating myself silly in Delray Beach typing this. You nearby?

[x-g.o.p.er]

17. I'm in the panhandle

[Rebellious Republican]

26. I am in ST. Pete .....

I did my Navy Photo "A" School(many years ago when it was still the Naval Schools of Photography, not DOD S o P) I also did Naval Aircrew Candidate School and Helicopter Fam School there as well, did my survival training at Eglin AFB. So that only leaves two choices as to which one you are at?
:kick:

[chelaque liberal]

18. 15% of NH Republicans voted against * in primary

another thread in LBN about story in the Nation:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=340328&mesg_id=340328

The Bush Cartel is not your father's Republican Party.

American Dynasty author is also a Republican.

[x-g.o.p.er]

19. How do you post other threads in a reply box?

[chelaque liberal]

20. Copy and Paste the address box

[Seldona]

21. Opinions, like a$$es. Everyone has one

and they all stink. Particularly mine. :)

But whatever. I am relatively new around here myself. And though I do not come from the conservative background that you do, I to can relate to a sort of ... awakening if you will.

See I could not let myself believe that what Bush was doing was that EVIL. I did not want to believe an American President was even CAPABLE of such things.

I backed the war in Iraq, and did in Afghanistan as well. I hate to even admit that today.

After 9/11 I truly believed that Bush was out to get those that committed that horrible crime against humanity. While not cheering him on, I certainly gave him a bit of latitude in his assertions.

But like George Carlin said, I am not a very good American. I tend to think for myself.

As I really began researching things I began discovering discrepancies, things that did not add up.

Facts about those that Bush choose to surround himself with that had far different and secret agendas. (well if not secret, they certainly weren't advertising them)

I came to believe they had other priorities for what they were doing, and that these priorities were in direct contradiction to what they were saying.

When I came to my current understanding of what went down, I became enraged like no one had ever enraged me before.

For someone to do what Bush has done, and for a majority of the media to give him a pass on it was just to much.

I found this site while researching Bev Harris's Black Box Voting issue, and have never looked back.

In short, though I did not vote for Bush or even particular like him, I did stand with him on Iraq and Afghanistan based on what he asserted after 9/11.

They lied. There is no intelligence failure. And I feel betrayed and very, very, pissed off.

Most of all I felt used. I was tricked into believing something that normally I would be horrified by.

They used the shock of 9/11 to further their own agendas.

Welcome. I hope you find what you are looking for here. I have.

We are going to need all the help we can get, at least in my opinion.

[Skittles]

22. you seem so intelligent

it's hard for me to believe you were ever fooled by republicans. Surely you knew Bush was an incompetent moron when you voted for him. Were you putting your party above your country then? Whatever the answer, I'm glad you found your way out of the dark side.

[radfringe]

23. Thumbs up to you!

For too long it's been an 'us against them' mentality -- when all we really want is what's best for the country and ALL americans. This divisions lie in the WHAT's best for the country and HOW do we get there

The divisions exploded during the Clinton administration - we could point fingers and blame one side or the other -- but what's the point?

bush snuck into office on the promise of being a 'uniter' - he hasn't united the american people, but it appears that he has united the world against us.

If you 'scratch' most of us DUer's you'll find fiscal conservatives who are just as upset at tax & spend policies -- especially spending on big ticket pork items

And most of us are concerned about the size of government. Conservatives want regs out of the boardroom and into the bedroom, whereas liberal tend to want regs out of the bedroom and into the boardroom.

Both sides generally agree that 'big brother' government is not good - but recognize that there is a need for a central government -- soooo how big is too big and how does this all impact our lives?

the biggest difference is in the WHATS and HOWS.

[leftchick]

24. Here Is x-g.o.p.er's Original Thread.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1069573&mesg_id=1069573

Have you read any of the links posted on the thread, x? They are well worth your time, but take them in small doses. It will definately be information overload. Welcome once again... :)

[Rebellious Republican]

25. I proudly re-registered as a Dem almost two years ago and .....

publicly announced it here at DU as well. I was welcomed warmley by everyone here and have never looked back! By the way x-g.o.p.er, I am ex-navy combat aircrew and served in Beirut in 83, was sent over after the bombing of the Marine barricks. Was TAD to FMF, I was working with combat camera group out of CINCLANTFLT. I have read your posts, and I must say, you sound like I felt, BETRAYED. Unfortunately there are not many GOPers like McCain left in the party. Its been highjacked by the corporate elite, I to am having some problems with the VA!I feel your pain, welcome my ex-republican friend!
:toast:

[ecstatic]

27. have your ideological viewpoints changed as well? nt