So you are a "lifelong" democrat? Always vote democratic party?

[Eliot Rosewater]

OK, good to hear. But have you always lived in a district where your representative reflects ALL of your most important beliefs and issues?

If so, how nice for you, some of us dont have it that easy, you see.

Some liberals or democrats have reps who usually because of the demographics of the area, dont always stand on the issues the way they want them to. Might be anti consumer protection or anti universal health care, whether they are personally or just to reflect a right leaning district to get elected.

Those liberals or democrats in those states or districts may have to vote for someone who they are not entirely thrilled with, but do you know why they do it?

The party with ONE more seat gets to do what? Decide EVERYTHING including whether or not a bill is even VOTED on let alone passed!

So Manchin for instance, if a liberal democrat cant win in his state then you support him like your LIFE depends on it because IT DOES.

Questions?

[walkingman]

1. I am a lifelong Democrat and have always voted for Democrats except a few

times I have voted in the GOP Primary just to try and defeat a particularly bizarre candidate.

I plan to do it this year by voting in the GOP primary for anyone that runs against Ted Cruz. He is so bad that extreme measures are called for.

[yallerdawg]

11. It gets weird in the South, doesn't it?

In our recent Alabama primaries, astute voters 'crossed over' and voted for the worst possible whack-job Republican on the tickets - in this case a guy named Roy Moore.

Worked out really well, didn't it?

A few years ago, 'cross-over' voters helped get "LuvGuv" Bentley into office, who resigned in disgrace, and he's the one who triggered EVERYTHING that led to us now having one more Democrat in the US Senate!

Good luck with Cruz! We can "disrupt" things, too!

[George II]

43. My father used to do that - switch parties for a primary and vote FOR the worst republican candidate

hoping he/she would wind up running against his Democratic candidate.

[Mr.Bill]

59. I registered republican

so I could vote against Nixon in the '72 primary.

[sfwriter]

87. I voted for Pat Buchanan against Bush in TN when I was 21.

The only question I asked was, "Will my dad find out I voted Republican?" It is the only time I ever did. I wanted to sow division in the Repub ranks.

[Eliot Rosewater]

130. I havent counted the anti Democratic party posts here, but there are some.

I especially HATE comments like "you should vote for who you want" or something like that.

Sounds good, elects republicans though, and that is the goal .

[crazycatlady]

2. I voted GOP once in my life

I was 20 and it was my first major election (confession-- I didn't vote in the midterms when I was 18). I voted for the dude that ran against Hillary Clinton in 2000 for senate.

(I grew up a town away from Chappaqua and when the Clintons were in town, the police shut down most of the roads. My 10 minute commute turned into over an hour and I was mad at them for that).

In 2006 (after I woke up politically) I voted for her (and in 2016).

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. LOL that is a new one as to why, but I get it. When we are young we do that.

My point is more about how a political party gains and retains power, they do that because their members vote for them NO matter what.

[mountain grammy]

4. Glad you woke up. Some never do.

[crazycatlady]

22. I not only woke up

But I've devoted my post 2008 professional life to the Democratic party.

As of tomorrow I start a campaign in state #10

[mountain grammy]

26. Good for you

i only wish more people would get woke and involved.

[George II]

62. That was that squirrely guy who shove some stupid agreement in her face at a debate....

...that incident virtually destroyed his political career.

I forget his name.

[lkinwi]

5. Democrat born and raised.

My union leader Grandpa would roll over in his grave if I ever voted Republican.

[Eliot Rosewater]

6. Yep, even if you had to vote for someone imperfect.

[lkinwi]

37. Definitely!

I remember holding my nose and voting for a democratic state assembly representative who had voted against a union issue. After that one faux pas she turned out to be one of our champions.

[CincyDem]

7. I always vote for the most liberal candidate with, imho...

...a possibility of winning. That’s been the dem my whole life. Sometimes I wish they were more liberal on some things but that’s not always available.

I look at it like the old adage about golf and work...a bad day on the golf course always beats a good day at the office. A not as liberal as I’d like dem is always better than and republican.

[LiberalBrooke]

101. Yes, me too.

I have always voted for the Democratic candidate. Every democrat has voted how I want between 80-100% of the time. That is compared to republicans voting almost 0%. I’ll take 80% over 0% anytime. I also promote and campaign for the most liberal candidate but when the most progressive does not make the final ballot, I am proud to vote for the democratic candidate.

[Sophia4]

8. You are absolutely correct to point this out.

California is an exceptional state. But we in my generation who stood in farmers' markets, printed out all kinds of statements on policy issues, talked to and LISTENED TO voters and formed book clubs and went to meetings and walked door to door turned our state blue (with a little help from Republicans who were irresponsible and refused to raise taxes even in a time of need).

We Democrats have an opportunity. We know where the Republican tax cuts will take us. It is more and more obvious that there is some outrageous relationship between Republicans and Russia as a country willing to intrude in our elections and our system. But it is going to take a lot of patient listening to the needs, fears and dreams of the American people and potentially Democratic voters in order to formulate a message and pick candidates that win votes.

Democrats take government more seriously than Republicans. That means we have to govern better than Republicans when we are in charge.

Obama did a really good job.

On a more peripheral level, I would like to see more videos on the internet that contrast Trump and his crazy, silly mannerisms and faces and Obama who always conducted himself appropriately and with just the right amount of humor and grace.

A number of Republicans have some serious presentation problems -- including Sarah H. Sanders and all her faces. These grimaces, even without a good message, should be enough to cause independents to vote Democratic.

Anyway, Democrats need to do a lot of listening to constituents and voters in my opinion. That is what has been missing. During the Clinton and Obama election years, we were out in farmers' markets every week. And I'm just really a volunteer and not a big functionary in the Party.

[Eliot Rosewater]

10. They dont need to listen to me, not now, they just need to win, NOTHING at ALL matters

right now but ANY democrat winning.

[R B Garr]

79. Yet Hillary Clinton turned Orange County CA blue. Apparently not all CA Democrats helped with that.

She did it in spite of those who actively denigrated her.

That is a huge accomplishment. Orange County, a decades long GOP stronghold, was picked off by Hillary and it has turned blue for the first time since around WWII. Voting for Democrats is important.

Correction: First time since the Great Depression -- 1936 -- Orange County CA voted for a Democratic presidential candidate. That candidate was Hillary Clinton.

[Eliot Rosewater]

122. Reminds me what a POC friend said recently

not a single Person of Color, Woman, or any other person of a marginalized group, whose representative perfectly aligns with us 100% of the time - but we recognize that.

[Sophia4]

125. Let's hope we get another Democratic representative from Orange County

this fall.

[R B Garr]

81. CORRECTION; First time since the Great Depression, 1936, Orange County voted for a Democrat

Presidential candidate -- Hillary Clinton.

Isn't that great? That made history.

[Sophia4]

126. It is great!

[Glorfindel]

9. Yes. I have voted for Democrats who later traitorously switched to the other party

when the entire state of Georgia seemed to lose its collective mind in the 1990's, but that's as close as I've ever come to voting for a Repuke. I totally get what you're saying about the party with ONE more seat, and you're exactly right. I wish I had the chance to vote for a Democratic US Senator, even Manchin.

[MaryMagdaline]

57. I voted for one republican in my life

The first national election in which I was able to vote, I voted for the repug running against Herman Tallmadge. Tallmadge was so corrupt he would make devin nunes and Donald Trump blush, but still, I feel guilty. I should have left that one blank. I did vote for jimmy that year, and am proud to this day that I never fell for that Reagan bull shit.

[Staph]

12. Preach it!

I'm a lifelong West Virginia Democrat. Sure, I'd like more progressive candidates, but I will settle for the big D next to the winner's name.

I even phone-banked for Manchin in his first election to the senate. And I'm a very good phone-banker!

Last year, Manchin held a series of town halls throughout the state, on a variety of subjects, but especially on healthcare. I was one of the scheduled speakers in my town, recounting my need for the ACA's protections for those with pre-existing conditions. I got several hugs, and a promise to fight the repeal efforts. And he did!

Even a conservative Democrat can be persuaded to vote the right way, if you do it in a non-confrontational way.

[Hortensis]

13. Not only are some Democratic representatives conservative,

or at least as much so on many issues as not, some Democratic voters are. "Democrat" is a party registration, not one litmus test-proven ideology. We have a full range here on DU alone.

And "conservative" and "liberal" are inborn personality types, which bring with them very different attitudes and behaviors, even different moral codes. Being a Democrat does not change that. So of course we have vast disagreements here, including angry frustration with our liberal-dominated party's unwillingness to "somehow" meet Republican fire with...Republican-type fire.

So even when Democrats share positions on issues, we can be very different in how we believe we should go about achieving them. As we see with the outrage of some who see behaviors mandated by upholding liberal principles as weakness and others who see unwillingness to uphold liberal principles as a dangerous deficiency.

Many of us are at least proud proud that we are truly America's big tent, but we can't expect that all of us will be able to accept or tolerate that. Some won't, and some can't.

[Gothmog]

14. Texas will turn blue eventually

A good number of loyal democrats are working very hard to turn Texas blue. This takes hard work but the rewards will be amazing

[DFW]

16. Cruz to Lose!

It might just happen!!

[DFW]

15. No. My first vote ever, in 1971, was for a Republican

I was living in Philadelphia, and the vote was for mayor. The Democrats nominated the very oafish, brutal and corrupt police commissioner, Frank Rizzo. The Republicans nominated an administrator named Thatcher Longstreth. Look them both up. I think you'll find my choice defensible.

I have never voted for a Republican since, and I will defend my choice in THAT election to the death!

[madinmaryland]

17. Joe LIEberman was my senator for 18 years.

The last four years were torturous after he ran for President.

[Eliot Rosewater]

18. Ouch, god I would HATE that. I thought he left the party at the end, no?

[femmedem]

24. Yes, after he lost his primary to Ned Lamont, he ran and won as a third party candidate. n/t

[Iahotdog]

19. My father once told me long long ago...

That unless your a millionaire, you have no business voting for a republican, even its for a dogcatcher. They're not looking out for your interests. I've lived by those words.

[Eliot Rosewater]

20. Smart guy.

[GulfCoast66]

28. You should edit that to multi-millionaire

Cause technically I guess the wife and I are millionaires and republicans are not helping me now insuring a secure future for me or anyone else.

[Iahotdog]

47. It was a different time way back then

There weren't that many millionaire's and they didn't consider 200,000 income middle class.lol

[GulfCoast66]

75. I was not meaning to criticize.

And your sentiment is correct. And the only reason we have to work to save like crazy is the breaking of the social contract we used to have...savings, SS and pension allowed middle class dignity in their old age.

Middle class can no longer save, pensions are gone and they are coming after SS.

If you can not get ‘rich’ by 60 you are fucked.

[Iahotdog]

91. I'm retired uaw, I just had to go on ss last year.

I have been paying into ss and Medicare all my working life.Paul Ryan and that scary clown we have installed in the white house scare the crap out of me.It burns my ass when they call ss and Medicare "entitlement" I paid for it. I took no offense by the way.

[blueinredohio]

92. My father told me the same thing

[druidity33]

21. OK, yeah, but you gotta admit...

he's kind of an asshole.

[Eliot Rosewater]

23. Manchin? Yeah, he is, but he is OUR asshole.

The difference between running the senate and not, which he could give us the ability to do, might save your life, and mine.

[druidity33]

33. No disagreement here... i was just sayin'. K&R, nt.

[angrychair]

82. Maybe but that logic could also come back to bite you

If everyone voted from that perspective, the recent 20-week abortion ban could have become law instead of dying in the Senate.

Manchin was just one of a couple that voted in favor of it but just voting Dem because they put a (D) after their name, with no focus of their position of issues that really matter to Dems is great if Dems are in control but when we aren’t these type of Dems are the most dangerous. Enough “Manchin” Dems and instead of dying in the Senate, it’s on the way to trump’s desk.

Women’s reproductive rights are not “throw away” or “wedge issues” it’s treating women like human beings, Women’s rights are human rights.

[yardwork]

98. Stupid laws wouldn't even come up for a vote if the Democrats held the majority.

If Democrats hold the majority in Congress, they control the committees. They decide everything. They decide which bills are even discussed in committee, and which bills come up for a vote.

The votes are only the last part of the process. With a Democratic majority in Congress, stupid hateful bills literally would not be discussed, let alone voted on.

[angrychair]

99. I agree as long as we hold majorities

But in leaner times, while hopeful, it’s unrealistic to think Democrats will always be in control. When republicans have the electoral advantage, these Center-left to Center-right on some issues, Democrats are a significant liability...sometimes there isn’t enough to matter but if we regularly vote in the “Manchin”-like candidates, Dems could unwittingly give republicans enough votes to make that 20-week abortion bill a law.
My point is that we should ask more of our candidates and ask more of ourselves to pick candidates that represent core Democratic Party planks and values and that the urban legend that they have to vote that way to get re-elected is just that, an urban legend:
https://www.vox.com/2018/1/22/16919080/abortion-roe-v-wade-democrats

[redstateblues]

84. I wish we had at least one Democratic Senator in TN

I don’t have a problem with Manchin. Getting elected in a red state is not easy for a Democrat.

[janterry]

25. The only Republican I ever voted for

was when John Silber was the democrat running for Gov. in Mass The weekend before the election, he said something like - I don't need/want those Cambridge hippies voting for me.

As a Cambridge hippie, I thought.....well, okay. Fine. I don't know how Silber even was a democrat (you would have to know him/check out his hx.). Bill Weld won the race --and it was MA - the Democrats were and are in charge. I knew that at the time, so I was never worried about what direction the state was taking.

Other than that protest of mine....I have always voted Democratic. I voted down in FL for Bill Nelson who is sort of okay, but not nearly as liberal as I am. In todays climate (and in almost any other!) just having a D next to your name is enough for me. I want the Democrats back in power. I have voted in every election since I turned 18 and with that weird one exception - always a democrat.

I'm in VT now, so the choices are pretty easy

[smirkymonkey]

39. Same here! The only time in my life I ever voted for a republican.

Weld was pretty socially liberal and Silber was very socially conservative. He had a real problem with women and was anti-choice. Not only that but he was just a nasty piece of work. It was almost like Weld was the Dem and Silber was the republican. Besides, as you said, it's MA. It wasn't like the republicans were going to take over the state.

Other than that one little blip, I have always voted a straight Democratic ticket.

[janterry]

74. The Globe actually compared Silber to Trump

(though they hoped T. would also be a political flash in the pan.....no such luck .

I remember worrying so much over that vote and then Silber said that stupid thing about Cambridge hippies and it just sealed the deal.

Weld wasn't that bad. I remember him jumping into the Charles

[smirkymonkey]

85. His wife was also pretty cool and kind of softened his rough edges.

Unfortunately they divorced years later. He's a Brahmin boy, but wasn't totally evil, just clueless like most MA republicans. Silber was a right bastard. What a mean, bitter man her was! Anyway, it didn't seem to do us too much harm to have Weld as governor.

Do you still live in Boston? I moved to San Fran and then NYC and now I'm back 5 years. I'll probably stay a while. I like this city and state for a number of reasons, many of them political.

[janterry]

86. Brattleboro

I went North .

[smirkymonkey]

93. VT, right? Very nice! My brother lives in Burlington and I lived there

for a year after college. VT is a beautiful state and very liberal.

[DinahMoeHum]

27. Vote progressive in the primary, vote Democrat in the general election.

. . .my guiding philosophy. . .'cause as far as I'm concerned, Republicans suck like a Hoover.



Fall in love in the primary, fall in line in the general election.

[Eliot Rosewater]

60. OK, lets do an exercise. What if a progressive is running for Manchin's seat

but the polls and demos make it absolutely crystal clear Manchin CAN win and the progressive cant, do you still vote for the progressive in the primary?

[DinahMoeHum]

97. Yes, if only to put Manchin on notice. . .

. . .that he has to do better by his constituents. Donors or not.

Bear in mind, this is ONLY for a primary race. Whoever wins that race would have my vote in the general election; at that point, nit-pickery has to be put aside.

By the way, as a New Yorker, I faced this situation back in 2014, when the insurgent candidate
Zephyr Teachout challenged Andrew Cuomo in the gubernatorial primary. I cast my vote for her in the primary for the reason aforementioned.
Come the general election, though, there was no doubt for me that Cuomo (even with his issues) was far far better than the obnoxious POS GOP candidate Paladino.

[ismnotwasm]

29. Nope. I was a socialist type for a long time

With anarchy leanings. I would vote for a Democrat or write someone in. It took George W. Bush, and a war two of my children fought in in to grow up politically and be a proud Democrat. Why I don’t like dangerous political bullshit, why I recognize it.

[dewsgirl]

30. Always, my first time voting was during the whole Gore/Bush debacle. Then the hanging chad mess here

In Florida. I remember being at Universal Studios the day after the election, extremely tired from being up so late watching CNN.

[MattP]

31. In Ca we get to choose between two Democrats now for Senate

In 89 i registered Green was 18 and stoned in westwood but voted Democratic in primary and switched before 92 and have always voted Democratic

[MaryMagdaline]

32. I lived in Georgia in 1980 *my first year of voting

Voted for Jimmy Carter (his second term). No, my representatives went from Dixiecrat racists to Republican racists. We did have a string of good governors, starting with Jimmy Carter (2 terms) and Busby (2 terms). We also had Sam Nunn as Senator during the time that I lived there.

[SammyWinstonJack]

34. I've ALWAYS voted straight Democratic ticket. I did vote for Bernie

in the Tn primary but voted for HRC in the GE. Have never voted for a repug in my life. My dad would disown me if I did. LOL.

[Spider Jerusalem]

35. You don't need to tell me, I voted for Zell Miller for Senate (n/t)

[JCanete]

36. always vote the best option when that's the best option left. Sure. Unless both stink. But hell no,

I'm not going to support a Manchin over a better more progressive challenger in the primary. Why should anybody do that? Because of some mythology that liberals can't win in these states or districts? We perpetuate that reality by not pushing liberal ideals there. Liberal ideals that would be popular if sold and stood by and lived by.

And no, the Democratic party never gets to decide everything when they have one more vote with the name Manchin attached to it.It gets to have cover or frustration alternately when it can't get the things done that its constituents want because there's a Manchin there who needs to be protected by the DNC just so that he can get in the way of actual progressive legislation that could actually be popular when implemented.

[mcar]

38. I live in a ruby red FL county

It was all Southern Democrat when I moved here in 1992. As the state went red, all the elected officials changed parties.

It is the only county in FL to cast more votes for Ross Perot that year. We currently have 1 elected official who is a Democrat - superintendent of schools. Another 9 Dems hold elected office but in nonpartisan positions.

We are working hard to have Democrats on the ballot in every race this year. I will vote for my dog Jackson if he is the Dem nominee in any position.

Vote for Democrats! It is the only way to stop the horrors.

[Demsrule86]

41. Love your post mcar...good luck. I live in Ohio so I feel your pain.

[mcar]

42. We will bring a Blue Wave to FL!

And to OH!

[Demsrule86]

109. Yes we will...fired up and ready to go!

[Demsrule86]

40. I am a lifelong Democrat and have always voted Democratic...but when I came to Ohio ...

I learned that Tim Ryan was pro-life. He has since changed his mind and become pro-choice...but in several elections, I voted for him despite his pro-choice views. And pro-life is a big deal to me. But he is a Democrat and that means something. Also, Obama supported free trade, I don't, but I voted for him too. I don't vote independent and I don't vote Republican period end of story.

[Eliot Rosewater]

46. Thanks, you understood that even though he was antichoice, by being a democrat he really isnt

because his seat gives the dems the power and the dems ARE pro choice.

[Demsrule86]

110. That is exactly it...having a majority is important...winning is everything. I would vote for a

yellow dog if he had a "D" next to his/her name. I would crawl across broken glass to vote Democratic.

[Puzzledtraveller]

44. I was a registered republican in high school

and first couple of years of college, at the same time I espoused real communist ideals. I am being serious, to illustrate I had no idea what I was doing. Card carrying Communist, and not in a mocking way. So how did I go so many years registered as an R and probably even voting that way while I should have been railing against them? I don't know, failure of my teachers, growing up in Kentucky? Well, either way I eventually figured it out. I may not be a Communist anymore, but I am sure as hell not a Republican.

[BigmanPigman]

45. Yes, I have voted down ballot since I turned 18 in 1980

and lost to REAGUN!!! I should've known then that my life would be filled with GOP crap that will harm me. My grandmother ( last voted when she was 99), my parents, sister and husband and neice all vote down ballot Dem. Sure we may choose one Dem over another in a primary but for the actual election it is always a Dem (I have Dem DNA). When my grandmom wasn't going to vote at all since her choice of the Dem president wasn't on the ballot for the presidential election I told her that she may as well vote for the GOP and that got her to think and act correctly. She used to put Dem signs in her yard in a very Repub part of FL and she loved pissing her neighbors off. Reagun was the one she hated the most, along with Nancy.
However, this is how the Fucking Moron got all those GOP seats in the last election. The GOP voters voted down ballot Repub and now we are screwed as a country for it. I guess it goes both ways. If Comey hadn't exposed the Clinton emails found in Weiner's computer tons more people would have voted for her and would have voted Dem down ballot and we would most likely have control of of the House.

[Eliot Rosewater]

48. Thanks. If every NON con voted and voted for a democrat, GOP would never have power again.

[mcar]

49. I will admit to voting for one R

Our county Supervisor of Elections. She runs unopposed. I have no clue why that job is partisan, she is the least R person I know.

She came in just pre-2000. She immediately got the county commission to upgrade our old punch card voting system to a paper/scan system. As a result, we were one of the only FL counties to come out looking good in the recount debacle.

She visits the high schools every year to encourage students to register to vote. My cynical, apathetic youngest registered because of her and proudly cast his first vote (for HRC) in 2016.

If a D runs against her, I'd change my vote, regardless.

[Eliot Rosewater]

50. Yeah, makes sense. I wish I could get a billionaire to go on natl tv and the internet

to explain the 2 party system to people and how it really doesnt matter if the dem you are voting for is satan, you still have to and why.

[mcar]

71. Given the current situation,

it shouldn't be this difficult. But, we all were saying it in 2016 for the GE. I recall some on this board insisting that the Supreme Court wasn't as important as "voting my conscience."

[gopiscrap]

51. Yes I have been because any Democrat is better than the vile

shit stain scum of the earth asshole republican running against that Democrat

[Eliot Rosewater]

52. And even if a given democrat wasnt better for some reason, said SEAT is what is important

and I think there are still a lot of folks that dont understand it is a mathematics issue, nothing else.

[gopiscrap]

61. yup I agree with

I would vote for a Mass murdrer if he/she was adhering to the Democratic platform while in office

[Eliot Rosewater]

63. Even if they werent adhering to it if the alternative is not voting or voting 3rd party

or for a con.

[ehrnst]

53. It's why I'm here on DEMOCRATIC underground. (nt)

[Eliot Rosewater]

54. Gee, right, you would think that is why EVERYBODY is here but aint so

[Vinca]

55. Odd you cite Manchin because I've been wondering why he is a Democrat.

His scolding of Democrats for not clapping and standing and adoring Dear Leader last night made me think about it again.

[Eliot Rosewater]

56. Do you understand why Manchin is VITAL to YOUR/MY survival?

[Vinca]

65. Not really. He votes with the Republicans a whole lot of the time. Explain it to me.

[Eliot Rosewater]

69. Because the party with ONE more seat than the other party decides EVERYTHING

Wonder why if it is true there are enough votes to pass immigration reform we just dont see it happening?

Because the GOP controls the house and Senate and they not only have the power to pass what they want they can PREVENT a vote on anything they want so even if there are enough votes to pass something, and there is with immigration, because they have control, they wont let the vote happen in the firsts place.

If the GOP controls the senate, they get the SC appointments they want and decide on whether or not there is a vote on anything at all, ever.

Make sense now?

ONE seat makes the difference, or can.

In our system the party in control makes ALL decisions and law.

[Vinca]

70. I realize one seat makes the difference,but if the one seat votes with the other side there is no

difference. I'm with the person who posted below me. We should try running a liberal Democrat in some of these places. That's what primaries are for. If Manchin wins the primary then we'll have his one vote every so often. If a liberal happens to win we have a solid vote all the time.

[Eliot Rosewater]

89. NOt in WV, a liberal democract CANT win there, Manchin wins because moderate cons vote for

him.

The party knows what they are doing, do you believe that?

[mcar]

94. Of course there's a difference

Majority rules.

Tell me how to get a progressive Dem elected to the senate in WV. Otherwise, we take the D we can get.

50 state strategy.

[Vinca]

106. So you're saying we shouldn't try? Jeez . . . no wonder people view Dems as wimps.

[drray23]

95. that is not how this work.

Even if these conservative democrats sometimes vote with the gop, its still crucial we have them. Whomever has the majority in the senate controls it.

The majority leader gets to decide what is even brought to the floor to be voted on.

They also get to nominate all the chairs of the various committees.

Hence, if we were to control congress, there would not be crazy investigations like benghazy and the like..


Voting is only a small part of the whole thing.

[Vinca]

107. You can have a majority of Dems, but if one consistently votes with the other side -

you don't really have a majority. I'm not saying we give him the bum's rush out of the party, I'm saying we encourage a more democratic Democrat to challenge him in the next primary he has. If the state is as backward as everyone says, he'll win anyway.

[JCanete]

66. That's a huge assumption based on a narrative that progressives can't win in these places.

That's why we have what we have, its why our party has lost seats ANYWAY to the tune of a 1000 over the course of 30 years, by playing it safe.

You know how wars are typically won? Generals risk their soldiers for the greater win. We can't keep losing because we refuse to risk some of our most problematic soldiers.

[The_Casual_Observer]

58. The crappiest dem is better than the "most left of center" republican.

This is a hard to swallow truth for some who want to push hard for single payer and so on, but the fact is you will get nowhere at all voting against dems, guaranteed.

[Amimnoch]

64. Exactly. James Cargas 2018!!!

I’ve been one step worse than your scenario.. I’ve been stuck with the tRumpublicon dipshit John Culberson for what seems like forever now.

I’ll take Cargas Please.

He’s weak as hell on gun control/pro-second amendment bullshitter. BUT.. so’s his tRumpublican opponent, and there is no way in hell any Democrat who stands for gun control on any level is going to take the district I live in. I’d be part of the 15-20% that may turn out to support him/her, but no way in hell that Democrat would take this district.

On the other hand Cargas is VERY:
Pro immigration reform that supports path to citizenship, and against the rump wall. Culberson is 100% in the trump bag on this.

Pro education, and in particular wants to expand scientific spending. Culberson.. not.

Supports the Russian ties of the rump admin, and calls for a commission to investigate all Russian ties to US politics. Culberson calls this fake news.

Supports Net Neutrality. Culberson against.

Wants to cultivate comprehensive energy policy with focus on renewable energies. Culberson Pro coal/oil only. Supported the tariff on importing solar panels.

This is to just name a few of the vast differences.

Cargas will never be a die hard vote down party lines progressive Democrat, but damnit I’ll do everything I f’n can to help get him in and Culberson out.

[Eliot Rosewater]

67. Perfect illustration of what my MATH conversation is really about, thanks

[Tatiana]

68. I have voted Independent twice.

Once, the Independent was actually a Dem who lost his primary due to some shenanigans. The other time, I felt the Independent was actually to the left than the actual Democrat and promised to caucus with the majority Dems on the council (which she did).

If you live in WV, you don't have a choice. Unless there is a secret Rockefeller that we can run, I really can't see a Democrat winning without some serious investment and long-term outreach to that area. Manchin is probably the best we can do for now.

Same for Donnelly in Indiana. Outside of Indianapolis, that state is pretty racist, in my experience. Better a DINO than an actual Republican.

[Demsrule86]

111. I sure hope Manchin keeps his seat.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

72. voted local republican, democrat all else

There was a local Republican Magistrate (that's someone who tends to roads around here) for whom I voted every time he ran. He tried to retire once and the whole area cajoled him into coming back. Besides doing his job, he once butted heads with the entire county government over pay raises for the road crews. Got a local tv station involved and proclaimed loudly that if they didn't vote to raise the pay, just take his salary and split it amongst the workers.

My first vote for a Democrat was for George McGovern. He was a little bit farther left than I at the time but world's better than Tricky Dick. (You might not like some of the Democrats of that era).

Except for the local mentioned above, I have voted for Democrats since McGovern.

[MrsMatt]

73. Almost life long

Prior to college, I was heavily influenced by my father (VERY conservative).

First presidential election - as a newly minted (one week) 18 year old, I voted for Reagan over Carter. Due in part to what I considered the ill advised transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama.

Four years later, I was an enthusiastic supporter of Mondale, due to the influences of my more liberal college friends.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, I believe my journey to liberalism began with Nixon. When I was 10, I admired him - his overtures to China impressed me. So much so, I wrote him a fan letter (got a reply from Ron Ziegler!). When his crimes came to light, I was stunned. That was my first political betrayal, and damn if it didn't sow the seeds of my disillusionment of the political system. Mondale's candidacy gave me hope, and I started down the liberal path, but my real political hero (who cemented my liberalism) is Paul Wellstone. Still miss that guy.

[Still In Wisconsin]

76. That's kinda my situation. I live in a Western Wisconsin district

that contains a mix of a couple smallish cities and a lot of rural/agriculturally oriented areas that are somewhat economically depressed in between them. Maybe, this area is not so unlike parts of West Virginia as one might expect. Anyway, the district elected the same Republican for 18 years straight, ending in 1998 when Ron Kind (D) won the seat, and has held it ever since. Kind would definitely be classified as a "blue dog" or conservative Democrat, and I disagree with him often. But, people here like him. He's a square-jawed former star quarterback of one of the local high school football teams, holds an annual corn roast at the County Fairgrounds, is often spotted during recesses around town at a diner, or bowling alley, etc. etc... he definitely passes the "I'd have a beer with that guy" test but he's no liberal. However, I'd rather have Kind IN office, giving the Democrats a seat, than a true liberal who would more closely align with my views but would likely have lost by now, if in fact they had ever been elected.

[PatrickforO]

77. I live in a write-off rock-solid Republican district gerrymandered by Democrats in my state. My

representative is an extremist tea party Ayn Randian libertarian 'destroy the government, privatize and deregulate EVERYTHING' radical.

It's fucking disgusting. AND, I called his office about net neutrality and his staff member was a total asshole. TOTAL asshole.

Next time that happens I'm going to complain loud and long.

[R B Garr]

78. Anyone who is pushing confusion about Democrats or apathy or any other

disparaging negativity can't be serious and must have other motives.

After Trump, it's just impossible to not see the complete and utter devastation that Republicans are capable of. Anyone who can't grasp the consequences of handing over power to the GOP is just disingenuous and not even remotely believable. It's just that simple. It's that bad.

It looks more like a personal power trip to suggest that they must constantly be catered and explained to as if every abstract thought they have must be completely massaged by a potential candidate. It's really beyond absurd.

No politician is ever going to be everything to everyone.

Hillary turned Orange County CA blue for the first time since around WWII. That is a huge development and accomplishment. Correction: The first time since the Great Depression -- 1936 --that Orange County voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.

I do see what you are saying about voting for people in states or districts where you have to compromise, but it is important to have a Democrat in office.

Thanks for this reminder about voting for Democrats.

[dsc]

80. I voted for one Republican my entire life

that was for Ohio state auditor when the Democratic incumbent had sexually harassed an underling and was also financially corrupt. I also sat out a state level race. Mississippi treasurer where both candidates spent all of their campaign time saying how awful gay people were and didn't bother to tell us anything about how they would invest our money.

[Zorro]

90. Same here

I voted only once in my life for a Republican -- it was for Howard Baker over his crooked opponent Ray Blanton in the 1972 Tennessee Senate race.

The notoriously corrupt Blanton did end up as governor a few years later, but ultimately got convicted for selling pardons and liquor licenses during his term.

[Beartracks]

83. Everyone's Job: Vote for Most Liberal Person on Your Ballot.

Could be a blue dog, a centrist, a corporatist... If they are the most liberal on a given election day, you vote for them!

Because, yes -- every (D) in a legislative seat counts as much as every other (D) in a legislative seat. Every (D) counts toward a majority, and we need to win the majority. This country needs Dems to win the majority. And the really liberal folks like Sanders and Warren need Dems to win the majority so they can chair committees and advance an agenda of Democratic policies and priorities that will move this country forward.



Makes this country sane again.

========

[George II]

88. I have to admit, and hang my head in shame, back in 1968 (my first election) I voted for Nixon.

Never made that mistake again! George McGovern in 1972.

[Lint Head]

96. Yes. My father and mother lived through the Depression. They were stanch Dems. He always said,

"Anyone voting for a Republican deserve exactly what they get."

[JimGinPA]

100. I Voted For A Repub Down Ballot Once

But I caught it before I pulled the lever & fixed it.

[Awsi Dooger]

102. I skip nonpartisan races if it is two Republicans

I always study those races closely. I refuse to ruin my perfect record of never voting for a Republican. Last year the Miami mayoral race was two Republicans, so I skipped it.

But I'm not a cheerleader type so I'm not going to pretend Hillary is going to win by double digits, or that a presidential incumbent will remain with approval ratings in the 30s and be easy pickings in 2020.

[Meowmee]

103. Since I became a citizen

at 24, I’ve always voted dem. The only regret is voting for some local judges who were dem but who were also right to life candidates which I didn’t notice.

[MountCleaners]

105. I am a lifelong Democrat

I have always voted Democrat, except this one time when the Democrat was more conservative than the Republican. The Democrat was anti-choice, pro-gun, and anti-gay rights. The Republican was not.

[a la izquierda]

108. I did not vote for Jim Justice in 2016.

Because he was a “Democrat” in Republican’s clothing. And I was right. Yet he won and is now a Republican.
I don’t care what letter is after their name, if they waffle on women’s rights or the rights of people of color or GLBTQ people, it’s a no-go. I will never, ever vote for a Democrat who is not 100% in support of women’s rights.
Sorry.

[Demsrule86]

112. Then you get a GOP who is 100% anti-woman's rights. Sorry but voting like that is why we have no

power today.

[Eliot Rosewater]

115. And by not voting for ANY democrat you give the republican partry the power to outlaw abortion

YOU do that if and when you do not vote for ANY democrat.

I tried to show people this is a math thing, NOT ideology, do you STILL not see that?

I want you to see it, tell me what I need to say.

Remember, the party with ONE more seat no matter how VILE that seat HOLDER is, that party decides EVERYTHING.

PLEASE tell me YOU understand!

[a la izquierda]

128. I have a PhD. Pretty sure I get it.

The Democratic Party should not be supporting candidates who don’t support LGBTQ rights or women’s rights.
Punto.

[alarimer]

113. No, I'm not in lockstep with anyone.

I vote for the person whose positions I agree with the most. If that is Bernie Sanders, so be it.

[NurseJackie]

114. "But what about my personal priiiiide?" "But I want my vote to count for something!"

"But I need to send a message!" "But the emails!" "But the IWR vote!" "But I only vote for someone who EARNS my support!"

[ploppy]

116. Grandpa told me

there are 2 mortal sins, one is if you are not a Catholic and the other is if you are not a Democrat. He would be so proud of my voting record!

[Stuart G]

117. k and r............great post, ....... THANK YOU !!!!

[Eliot Rosewater]

118. No, thank you. From now on my comment to appeal to folks is this:

If you are a liberal or progressive, voting for ANY democrat who can win, WHO CAN WIN, is NOT about ideology but is about MATHEMATICS only.

They may need that explained, I gladly will.

I honestly believe some of our fellow libs or progs do NOT understand why voting for a ANTI CHOICE democrat is FAR better than voting for a pro choice republican.

[Stuart G]

119. Control of the Senate would be terrifc outcome of the next election..

I will gladly send some money to anti-choice Democrats running for the Senate.

[BoneyardDem]

120. Not Bernie, Neither Clinton, Not Obama, Not Booker, Not Harris, Not Kennedy......

not one of them align 100% with the all of the various projects I feel strongly about.

NOT ONE of them will be rejected because of that. IMHO purists suck

Any Dem is better than any Rep...always.

[Baconator]

121. Reminds me of...

[Stuart G]

123. It is really very simple...Think of it this way please.

McConnell has enormous power. (he stopped Obama's Supreme Court nomination) If we get 2 more seats in the Senate, just 2, that power is reduced completely. He becomes the "minority" leader, not the majority leader...Now, in some states the current candidates for the Senate in the Democratic Party, would not fit well at this forum. Those candidates must reflect at least some of the beliefs of the states they want to or are representing. Still, and most important, they would vote to get rid of McConnell as majority leader, and make him minority leader....That is far more important then some beliefs that we do not agree with at this forum.

Think of it this way..........If we have a majority in the Senate, it is impossible for the assh**e Trump to build the ...WALL.. He would never get funding through the Senate...never..and, there would be a check on that assh**e until the next presidential election in 2020...So, I will be sending some money, to every single Democrat running for the Senate that has a reasonable chance to win. And I will do a lot of research on that to make sure who I send money to.

[Eliot Rosewater]

124. And there could NEVER be a LAW or BILL to attack healthcare or rights, anybody's rights

As it is the SC will tilt right and pro choice is in danger NOW

[vi5]

127. Again, I say all of this is fine and I agree....EXCEPT....

When we get a slim majority of only 1 or 2 votes, and then the most conservative Senator becomes a de facto veto over the design and implementation of any legislation.

So yes, I know that the ultimate goal is to have a big enough majority that one vote will not matter. But in the absence of that, if their vote does matter then we have to find some way so that our legislation does not have to be approved by the one most conservative member of the Senate. If that involves using the stick rather than the carrot then so be it. But that's the point where my tolerance for someone like Manchin reaches it's limit.

If that means I want a pony or i don't understand civics or whatever the insult dujour is for someone who expects the Democratic party to act in the interest of the majority of it's members and not just the one or two most conservative ones, then so be it.

[oberliner]

129. People should vote for and support the candidate they actually support

"Conservative Democrats" have been known to switch parties.

West Virginians, of all people, know that best.

[George II]

131. Non-conservative republicans (no quotes needed) have been known to switch parties.