I am a member of the Democratic Party... Are you??

[Peacetrain]

Last edited Tue Feb 19, 2019, 11:00 AM - Edit history (1)

No one gets to jump in and say I am going to run as a Democrat and then not join the party..Its as simple as that.. I am waiting

Let me add this to the discussion... Johnathan Capehart tweeted about this in December

"At the time a presidential candidate announces their candidacy publicly, they must publicly affirm that they are a Democrat. Each candidate pursuing the Democratic nomination shall affirm, in writing, to the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee that they: (a) are a member of the Democratic Party; (b) will accept the Democratic nomination; and (c) will run and serve as a member of the Democratic Party.

[NightWatcher]

1. Nah, I'm only going to use them when it serves my needs and I can get their mailing lists.

[Peacetrain]

2. No... nope nope nope... got to join the club first

[NightWatcher]

5. What if I join for a couple of weeks and after I lose, I go back to being Independent?

and then I don't really work to advance the Party because I'm a little bit of a sore loser and I allow some of my supporters to sit out of the General election because their feelings were hurt?

[Peacetrain]

9. My greatest fear!

[NightWatcher]

11. Based on what, the fact that he did it last time? ... Or

That his biggest "progressive" media supporter was paid by Russia propaganda outlet?

All he needed to do for trump to win was get a base of supporters due to promises of unrealistic populism and have enough of those supporters shave off a few thousand votes here and there in critical states because their feelings were hurt.

So many people played a role. Jill Stein has her part and I'm sure Bernie played his (whether he knew it and was complicit, or not). Ego is a hell of a drug.

[Peacetrain]

20. That also! I do not want to have to try and make sense

of someones stances to others who is not even a member of my party.. nope.. got to jump in the pool with the rest of us..and not just sit on the side and throw rock

[Maru Kitteh]

23. "Ego is a hell of a drug"

[Apollyonus]

73. Don't forget money nt

[Apollyonus]

65. Very well said nt

[cwydro]

19. Spot on.

Deja vu all over again, sigh.

[treestar]

55. Only if you complain about the DNC rigging it for

the eventual winner. And complain about the way the primaries are run, because they should be run so as to favor you. And the superdelegates - be sure to talk about how undemocratic they are until you need them. Then go back to being independent.

[Me.]

103. Win Or Lose No Diff

He won as a Dem in Vermont and then dumped the party leaving the Dems with no candidate.

[agingdem]

36. Never Bernie

I'm a proud Democrat...always have and always will vote Democrat...can't stand pious Bernie and don't care that he caucuses with the Democrats...

[onetexan]

54. Ditto

He will screw us over yet again once he loses the nomination (or any chance of it in this race) by proclaiming he's not a Democrat.
I'm waiting for the DNC to justify why it is they're allowing him to run on the Dems ticket again. This is a load of BS.

[exboyfil]

61. If they don't the damage might be worse

If he runs as a Green. I supported him in the Iowa caucus, and I consider that a mistake. I wish I had been fully behind Clinton (which I was after she secured the nomination) from the start.

[onetexan]

64. he can run as whatever, just not on the Dems ticket. He ended up splitting us anyway so what does it

matter. This cantankerous man is still clinging to his democratic socialist fame and trying to remain relevant. No thanks.

[Apollyonus]

68. My signature line says it all nt

[trueblue2007]

136. bernie is NOT A DEMOCRAT!!! if he changes just to run .... that is just opportunistic.

[George II]

6. Bazinga!

[DownriverDem]

84. Proud Member of the Democratic Party

I am an elected precinct delegate here in Michigan representing where I vote. I do not support Bernie. All he and his supporters are going to do is cause trouble. A few weeks back the Michigan Democratic Party had it's convention. Bernie folks had a table there. Every time I walked by I asked the same question: Did Bernie join the Democratic Party yet? They just looked at me. No way not this time Bernie.

[teamster633]

3. I am a member of the Democratic Party...

...and I'll be voting for a Democrat in the NH primary...if a Democrat wins in NH it's curtains for a certain senator from our neighbor to the west...

[Peacetrain]

7. Yep... the stakes are too high.. we have to all be on the same train pulling in the same direction

got to join the party if he wants to run as a Democrat..

[forgotmylogin]

71. In a low-stakes election with one or two other candidates, sure, Bernie.

We're dealing with an embarrassment of riches with regard to potential candidates this year.

[George II]

4. I am, and I've been a Democrat OFFICIALLY since 1972. And I've run for (minor) office...

...as a Democrat six times.

[Peacetrain]

8. 72... same as me

[livetohike]

10. Life long Democrat since 18 year olds got the right to

vote on July 1, 1971. (I was 19 on July 21). It was the 26th Amendment. We all know what the 25th Amendment is. Interesting how this one followed.

[George II]

13. I was in that first "class" of under 21 voters, too.

[Taraman]

14. George McGovern was a good man

[livetohike]

25. Yes he was. I enthusiastically supported him. I was a

Sophomore in college the Fall of ‘71.

[Bradshaw3]

101. First campaign I worked on

And my first vote for President as a freshman in college. A WWII decorated veteran, fighter for the average person and civil rights and a good man.

[PTWB]

12. What's to stop him from leaving the party if he wins?

[George II]

16. I don't think we'll have to worry about the second half of your question.

[4139]

58. Yep

[ehrnst]

106. The DNC has instituted a rule that says you must agree to run as a Dem in the GE

and serve as a Dem in office in order to run in the primary.

According to the draft rule change adopted Friday, “At the time a presidential candidate announces their candidacy publicly, they must publicly affirm that they are a Democrat.”

The draft goes on to require that any candidate pursuing the Democratic Party’s nomination for president confirm in writing to the Democratic National Committee chairman that they are a member of the Democratic Party, will accept the Democratic nomination and will “run and serve as a member of the Democratic Party.”

Interesting times when we need candidates to agree to that in writing, isn't it? And that some people are outraged by it...

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/08/dnc-rule-change-sanders-supporters-634998

[PTWB]

116. So let's say he agrees with that..

And then wins the nomination and election. What’s to stop him from going back on it and flipping to Independent ?

[Danmel]

15. I'm a local Democratic committee member

And work for a local Democratic state representative.
I carry petitions, make the phone calls and donations and work daily to advance Democratic ideals and policies.
I don't appreciate interlopers.

[Peacetrain]

17. Yep

Amen to that

[stonecutter357]

18. I am a member of the Democratic Party .

[Maru Kitteh]

21. I am a Democrat. I support DEMOCRATS - not people who want to use our party every 4 years.

Especially not jerks or con-men who TRASH Democrats and the party with glee, and help get Republicans elected by being agents of division because they just can't GET OVER their fragile little bro-ego.

I surely hope we don't have anybody like that running again . . . .

[WeekiWater]

22. He is an entrenched career politician who has been doing this for decades.

I don’t see that changing now. His base is a serious political weapon. Very poorly informed and as loud as it gets. The opposite end of the spectrum to what has happened to Republicans.

[Maru Kitteh]

26. His base is a weapon that will be exploited by Russia. Again.

[WeekiWater]

35. Not difficult to do.

Pretty easy group to lead around if maintaining an outsiders message.

[Maru Kitteh]

39. Yup. They're very easy targets, and demonstrated that clearly.

What's the Russian word for sheep I wonder?

[still_one]

38. At least 10% of that base embraced that explotation, however, California has moved its

primary up to Super Tuesday, so I am hoping he'll finally get the message that he has burned one too many bridges, and the ghosts of 2016 have not gone away


Senator Harris was in NH, and said the following:

"‘‘The people of New Hampshire will tell me what’s required to compete in New Hampshire, but I will tell you I am not a democratic socialist,’’ Harris said. "


What she is saying is that SHE IS A DEMOCRAT, who is proud to wear the Democratic party label, and work for change as a

DEMOCRAT within the DEMOCRATIC PARTY, unlike someone else

[Maru Kitteh]

48. It's early, but Harris really has the greatest share of my attention and interest thus far.

I will vote for the most likely to win Democrat.

I will continue to speak against non-Democrats, interlopers, and/or "useful idiots" aka witting/unwitting assets of Russia.

[still_one]

50. We are on the same page Maru.

[jalan48]

24. Been a registered Democrat since 1972 and very glad to see Senator Sanders running.

[CozyMystery]

29. Me too. Although I switched to the Democratic Party in 2014, from being an Independent. nt

[jalan48]

30. I've always been a Democrat through good times and bad.

[SammyWinstonJack]

43. Same here Same year. Doesn't concern me that Senator Sanders is running.

[jalan48]

46. It's really about differences in ideas. Some seem very afraid that Bernie's ideas are

going to be given a platform.

[ehrnst]

62. "Given a platform?"

You mean like twitter, Facebook, talk shows and rallies?

[jalan48]

66. Debates require give and take unlike the formats you mention. It's a great way for voters to

understand the differences between candidates.

[ehrnst]

78. To a small extent. The more candidates, the less time for any real

detailed responses. Who can truly give any plans for how something will be done in the space of 90- 120 seconds?

Most of the time, one gets information on their views on their campaign website, and in interviews with the press.

[jalan48]

83. I would prefer the old Lincoln/Douglas style debate myself without a moderator asking the questions

but it wouldn't work well with so many candidates. It would be great in the general election though.

[ehrnst]

94. In early 2008, the Kaiser Family Foundation hosted a forum for each candidate

Each candidate was questioned on their health reform plan by panel of health policy journalists for an hour.

The candidates had separate sessions, and it was very interesting.

Edwards, Kucinich, Biden, McCain, Dodd, Clinton, Huckabee, Richardson, & Ron Paul accepted the invitation.

This was Hillary's session:

Ironicallly, Obama turned down the invitation, because he had not formulated his plan enough yet to present on it.

[jalan48]

99. I like this approach. It gives the voter a much better idea where the candidate stands. Our current

approach is more like soundbites which can turn into a "gotcha" session in my opinion. It also forces the candidate to talk about the issue in depth which would have been impossible for Trump to do in 2016.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

89. I've been a democrat since 2010

That was the year I was eligible to vote for the first time. I'm a proud member of the Democratic party, voted for Bernie in the primary and Hillary in the general. I'm also glad to see Bernie and his message running.

[walkingman]

27. I just hope the DNC learned a lesson from the last election.

[Maru Kitteh]

51. SO MUCH THIS.

The presence of such a divisive figure can only harm us. Trump is going to LOVE this. Look for him to be a UGE supporter.

[samplegirl]

28. If your running for this party

You must be one no exceptions!!!

[still_one]

31. Well said!!!

[True Blue American]

32. Do not wait for me!

I am already on board!

[The Truth Is Here]

33. Bernie already qualified last year.

It is done.

[Maru Kitteh]

49. You mean he released his 2016 tax returns?

[The Truth Is Here]

97. He won the Democratic slot of his U.S. Senate.

That is all the qualification he needs.

When Bernie will release his taxes, is entirely up to him. As of now, I have no interest in looking at his tax returns.

[Maru Kitteh]

100. He should stay in the Senate.

Trump won't release his tax returns either. It's a pretty awful and concerning thing to have in common with this "president." Not a good look.

[The Truth Is Here]

104. I disagree

I think he can transcend to an higher office.

We *NEED* Bernie, because of the leftward shift we're going through. AOC wasn't just a gadfly. She is one of many blue waves SHIFTING to the left.

[ehrnst]

108. No other Democratic primary candidate in VT can get funding or endorsement by

Democratic candidates, as per the Democratic party. That's not the case in any other state Senate primary.

Also, the demographic profile of VT isn't one that one predicts a candidate of color has a good chance of winning.

Popularity among one's constituents is very high in states with very homegenous, small populations, such as Montana and Vermont. Senators in more diverse states don't get as uniformly high marks to any one candidate, so getting elected by a high margin in a diverse state would be a better indicator of how one would fare in a POTUS election.

[Maru Kitteh]

115. Hey at least we have Jon Tester in Montana - and he did kick Trump's butt in a Trump state

It was kind of breathtaking.

Your point is totally correct - I just had to put in a shout-out for Tester.

[George II]

121. That was in a state ranked 49th with respect to population, and is 95% Caucasian.

[Cha]

140. Sorry, BS is too divisive.

We have excellent, qualified Dems who are able to bring the Democratic Party together.

[ehrnst]

112. Financial transparency is going to be a major issue in 2020

So there will be a lot of interest in the financials of every candidate. How each candidate deals with that will therefore be important.

At least it will be for Democratic voters.

[The Truth Is Here]

113. I don't think Bernie will have any issues showing tax returns.

I think the tax returns will show that he is just as human like you and me.

Here is his 2014 tax returns.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs.taxnotes.com/2019/B_Sanders_2014.pdf

It is said that his wife does the taxes.

[ehrnst]

114. No one doubts that Bernie is human, like you and me.

He could have simply put an end to questions by releasing his financials like all the other Democratic candidates, but he refused.

Why do you think that he didn't release them?

[ehrnst]

119. A single year, and not the most recent at the time.

I certainly hope that he has hired an accountant this time.

You don't seem to be familiar with HRC or the 2016 election, since you asked if she released her financials, when anyone familiar with the 2016 election - especially Democrats - knows that was the case.

May I ask if you are new to the US?

[George II]

120. He and Jane promised to release their 2015 return, then released their 2014 return, twice...

The first time was just the first two pages, and when there was a lot of pushback they re-released it with the last five pages.

Still no 2015 or, for that matter, 2016, 2017, or 2018.

[ehrnst]

117. What "is done?"

Anyone who is a naturalized citizen and over 35 is "qualified."

But being the Democratic Candidate requires a bit more.

[George II]

122. No he didn't, and no it isn't.

[The Truth Is Here]

124. So what's your bloody problem with Bernie?

He's running for POTUS in 2020 as a Democrat. He followed all the DNC rules and jumped all the appropriate hoops. He ran and won the 2018 Democratic primary, and won the GE. What else do you want? You want him to roll over and bark like a good dog?


You want Bernie to do more for you?

[George II]

126. Sanders won the Democratic primary last year and the next day renounced his Democratic affiliation.

He won the general election as an independent.

If he is going to use the Democratic Party's infrastructure, resources, mailing lists, etc., I want him to be a Democrat for more than a few weeks or a few months at a time.

Is that too much to ask?

Getting back the post I originally responded to, he didn't qualify last year to run as a Democratic candidate for President and it is not done.

[ehrnst]

130. You know all that, but didn't know that HRC released 10 years of taxes?

Interesting.

[ehrnst]

131. Join the Democratic Party, as per the requirements:

He has not done so:

Link to tweet

[LanternWaste]

127. Ah, the "it's his turn..." routine.

Karma... something I don't believe in, yet still receive its bemusing consequences.

[KewlKat]

34. Why do we allow a non-democrat to run for the nomination of our party when

He refused after the loss to join our party?

[louis c]

37. I have seen this movie before...

Last edited Tue Feb 19, 2019, 09:46 AM - Edit history (1)

...I've been a life long Democrat and I serve as the elected Democratic chairman of my ward. I have attended every state convention in the past 15 years.

In 2016, a fresh batch of young participants entered the committee and were pushing Bernie. I was for Hillary, but I welcomed the new members. I was happy that the party would grow. It was similar to 2008, I thought, when the new members were Obama voters and we joined forces after the primary and won the general election. Those folks stayed in the party and are a great asset.

However, Bernie's supporters were different. Almost all of them disappeared after the convention and some were espousing Jill Stein bullshit. They seemed bitter and I haven't seen any reappear at any level of city government, let alone the party.

I am a Democrat. I will choose a candidate in the primary. Probably the person I feel can best defeat Trump. But if my candidate loses, I will work my ass off for the nominee, just as I did in 2008.

You see, that's what I think a true Democrat does.

[Zoonart]

44. I voted for Bernie in the Primary and later regretted it.

He registered as a Democrat to run for president. When he did not get the nomination, he changed his registration back to Independent.
Has he re-registered as a Democrat again?... I haven't heard of it.

I have some friends that work for the Democratic National Committee and they are pissed. He used the party infrastructure, messaging campaigns, state and local precinct mailing lists and messaging apparatus (none of which would have been available to him for an independent run in 2016) then walked away, and now he wants to do it again. The national party apparatus provides a tremendous amount of support for candidates that is just not available for those mounting and Independent run for president.

PS... the opo research on Bernie is deep and dark and it was never used, but it will be dusted off and added to for sure.
so #1 Have you registered as a Democrat? and #2 Show us your taxes... that's a start.

[watoos]

40. The only way we lose in 2020 is if we fight among ourselves.

[SammyWinstonJack]

45. AGREE!

[LongtimeAZDem]

56. So we don't get to have a primary? Sanders has been annointed?

[JaneQPublic]

88. To be uncharacteristically positive, I'd say...

...it's probably better that Bernie run as a Dem than as a Nader-esque third-party spoiler --- even though he's openly denigrated and lambasted the Democratic Party for years, yet then uses the party and the DNC debate microphone and primary structure to propel his campaign further than it could ever go if he ran outside the party.

I just hope most of his 2016 supporters will be giving consideration to the Dem candidates. Even ardent Bernie supporter AOC says she is open to giving the other candidates a look this time around.

[justhanginon]

41. I've been a registered democrat since I turned 21 way back in 1957.

I dislike users like Sanders immensely. Been there, seen that. No way should a temp be allowed to run in any Democratic primary. We saw what he did last time and it was not pretty.

[LongtimeAZDem]

75. +∞

[mcar]

42. K&R

[Tom Rinaldo]

47. Yep. Been a local Democratic Committee member for 6 years. I support what Democrats fight for

The issues, the causes, are what motivate me to be political and to participate in the political process. I haven't chosen a candidate yet this cycle, 4 or 5 are attractive to me. But if I felt that an Independent running in a Democratic primary could best advance our cause, that is who I would vote for. I could not vote for an Independent running against a Democrat in November however, regardless of where they stood on issues, because that could split the Center Left and help Trump win reelection.

[sellitman]

133. Tom I agree 100%

I'm an idea voter. Whoever has the best ideas gets my vote as long as they are a registered Democrat at the time of running.

[CentralMass]

52. Yes I am. I'm also one of over 13 million who voted for and supported the Senator from Vermont in

2016. He won my adopted states closed primary by double digits. I trust that he will meet the bar to run as a Democrat and I look forward to him being in the race.

[treestar]

53. Yes. Registered as a Democrat.

And only in rare circumstances would I support any candidate who is not.

[honest.abe]

57. Yes, indeed and proud of it.

Since the Clinton era.

[revmclaren]

59. Registered Democrat here since I was 18

and I'm pushing 60. Well, not exactly pushing anymore. 60 is dragging me toward it kicking and screaming.

I will only vote for a well established and long-term Democrat in the primary. Sanders has flipped between parties more times than a performer in Cirque du Solei.

No friggin thank you.

ONLY!!! 2019 and beyond.

[redstatebluegirl]

60. Why join when we let him use our structure

and money without joining. I have had it with this grumpy old white guy trying to destroy our party and give 45 another 4 years.

[lillypaddle]

63. I will be so pissed

if the Dems let him use them again this way.

[R B Garr]

111. Exactly, it makes it so obvious who actually "rigged"

the system.

[IADEMO2004]

67. Dilettante Democrat. We're too impure for him most of the time.

[redstatebluegirl]

69. THIS!

[JaneQPublic]

70. Why is a Bernie campaign needed when we already have Elizabeth Warren?

I fail to see why a card-carrying progressive Dem would need to support Independent Bernie when Elizabeth --- a longtime party member --- is just as progressive and brings a better record of success on such issues as consumer rights.

In 2016, Bernie was filling a void on the far left end of the spectrum, but in the 2020 race, progressives are already in the race.

It seems Bernie is running this time more for vanity than purpose.

[redstatebluegirl]

81. Because Bernie got addicted to the attention.

[ehrnst]

102. Yep. (nt)

[Paladin]

110. Exactly so.

We never needed Bernie before. We damn sure don't need him now.

[safeinOhio]

72. I'm for who ever wins the Democratic nomination.

I'd much rather see Bernie run as a Democrat than kick him off and have him run as an Independent and see trump win the election. I don't think he has a chance in the world of winning the nomination, so I'm all for having him in the debate. For those that blame the last loss on the Green Party, and independent might win way more votes than she did.
I'm old enough to remember Democrats that ran like George Wallace and Lyndon LaRouche, Wallace even won the Michigan Primary. I'd have to sit out if they won. I would not vote for Bernie in the primary because of his tax returns and we have plenty of great candidates to vote for this time. But, in a general election between two that have not released their taxes, I'd have to vote for Bernie. Not going to happen.
In the mean time, lets back who ever we want with out ragging on anyone running for Democratic nomination. We need to unite and not divide to keep from letting the 27 to 34% of the crazies decide on the current asshole.
I'm good with supporting whom I like without running down those that are not on my favorite list. The most important thing in the coming year is destroy trump.

[IronLionZion]

74. Such a statement would have been unthinkable a few years ago

back when DU was a much more anti-Democratic forum and our candidates were subject to purity purges and relentless attacks for not being liberal enough. Amazing how times have changed.

I'm a proud Democrat and I'm voting for a Democrat for president. May the best Democrat win.

[DirtEdonE]

76. AGREE! No (D) following the name

No place in the "D" column on the ballot.

[CaptainTruth]

77. I am proudly a member of the Democratic party.

I don't take kindly to people who join the party so they can take advantage of the party's resources & then leave when they're done with them.

Either be a Democrat or don't be a Democrat, it's not a difficult choice to make.

[pdsimdars]

79. Apparently he can because hs is.

[aikoaiko]

80. Sure, but I don't care if our nominee is or isn't if he or she is the best choice to lead us.

When I was eighteen I designated my party as Democratic on my voter registration and never changed it. Is that membership?

[radical noodle]

82. 100% n/t

[Roy Rolling]

85. Sorry

My loyalty is to the political party who supports the proven ideals of freedom and liberty I share. Right now, that political party is the Democratic Party.

But associations change over time, like the Republican Party who freed the slaves but now is built upon racism.

I demand more than just a membership card. Sorry.

If I held a Democratic Party card since in my youth in the Deep South, that would mean I could be a member of the Klan.

I love Democrats, but if being a Democrat only means carrying a card that's a lower standard. And I understand the need for cohesion. But thinly-disguised attacks on Bernie Sanders under the guise of Democratic Party purity are misguided, and not the way to deal with the perceived issue among party hardliners.

Let the people decide, that's what the Democratic Party is all about. It's like herding cats.

[Peacetrain]

86. That old canard does not work!

The Democratic Party is pulling together as Democrats.. We kicked butt into the ether in 2016

[VOX]

90. "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat." -- Will Rogers

It was ever thus.

[ehrnst]

95. "Purity?"

Wanting a Democratic nominee to be a Democrat is "purity?"

[KPN]

91. First post here at DU. Really?

Kinda suspect.

[VOX]

96. This is DEMOCRATIC Underground, not Bernie Underground.

“So what?” you say, in your first post on DU. Bernie has other issues than his expedient use of the Democratic Party. His star has tarnished since 2016. He will not have the broad support he received two years ago, not with Democrats like Kamala Harris in the hunt.

Getting hung up with any single candidate (Bernie or anyone else) is a losing formula at a time when our Democracy is in serious peril. It’s imperative that the candidate chosen has a broad enough appeal to unseat Trump. That may mean supporting a candidate that doesn’t check all the points on your personal want-list.

Welcome to DU.

[AdamGG]

92. I consider myself a Democrat but register Independent because Massachusetts is an open primary state

I think that's the most effective position to take, in my situation. In years like 2000, when I didn't have a strong preference between Al Gore & Bill Bradley, it allowed me to vote in the Republican primary for John McCain against George Bush (the pre Sarah Palin, Jerry Falwell is an agent of intolerance, refuse to speak at Bob Jones Univ. John McCain). McCain beat Bush 75/25 in that primary because of all the Democrats who crossed over.

Being registered as an independent allowed me to vote in the Republican primary for Bill Weld as governor and help assure that he was the nominee instead of the pro-life candidate that was the alternative.

In general elections, I've voted for every Democratic Presidential nominee since 1988 (first time I voted), but I think it can be smart to retain the added leverage of being an independent. People here often fault Bernie Sanders for this, but so long as he caucuses with the Senate Democrats to add to their number and has a voting record that's consistent with Democratic Party values, I don't have a problem with it.

There's a long tradition of politicians from northern New England doing this and people rarely give Angus King shit about it. Bernie has just hit a nerve by running against Hillary in 2016. He endorsed her when the primaries were over and was unambiguous about what a nightmare Trump was, and I'm not sure it's fair that he gets the blame for the Susan Sarandons out there, who refused to coalesce behind Hillary.

[Gothmog]

93. I am a member of the Democratic Party

[ibegurpard]

98. My state doesn't have partisan registration

[Marcuse]

105. I voted for Bernie in the NY primary even as I knew I would support Hillary in November.

I may be moved, but am not obligated to give the biggest piece of chicken to my dinner guest. Frankly, the Party is prejudiced against non members at the top, middle or bottom of the ballot. This is not surprising.

[akraven]

107. Only since 1972....

When I became "legal".

[VOX]

109. Proud lifelong Democrat, the "black sheep" of an all-Republican family.

Any shit my family gave me for being a liberal Democrat only served to quicken my resolve.

However, after the Nixon debacle, the haranguing ceased.

[Iggo]

118. Actually, I'm not.

But I 100% vote that way.

[DFW]

123. Long family tradition

I still have a letter from my grandmother trying to raise funds for the Mayor of Minneapolis who was running for the U.S. Senate. His name was Hubert Humphrey. She had been fired as labor liason by then-New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia for being too close to labor.

I registered to vote in 1971 when I was 19--i.e. as soon as I legally could. I registered as a Democrat. In the first election I could vote in, I proudly voted Republican.

Wait! WHAT?

Damn straight, I did. The Democrats nominated the totally corrupt Police Chief of Philadelphia, Frank Rizzo, for mayor in the 1971 election. A more odious, corrupt oaf, you couldn't want to find. The Republicans nominated a colorless bureaucrat, Thatcher Longstreth, who, despite his party affiliation, seemed like a decent enough guy. Rizzo got his jollies when his cops bashed in the head of Vietnam War protesters. You bet yer ass I voted against him. First and only time I ever voted Republican, and I am not ashamed of it to this day. Rizzo, of course, changed his party affiliation to Republican soon afterwards, and proudly showed off by getting photo ops with Nixon. Neither of them were very visible after 1974.

[WeekiWater]

125. I was NPA for a long time.

I registered as a member of the Democratic Party over five years ago. Very proud to have done so. To be very open about it, the party platform is now more in-line with me. I'm very happy at the direction of the party as a whole.

[Autumn]

128. No I'm not, but I always vote for and support Democrats and Progressives. nt

[MineralMan]

129. Yes, since 1960, when I was just a teenager.

[lilactime]

132. We don't register by party in my state. But I've voted for ONLY Democrats since

my very first vote, for George McGovern, in 1972, and I will never vote for anything else.

[Ms. Toad]

134. Nope.

That said, in more than 4 decades. I have never requested a ballot other than the Democratic ballot in a primary, nor do I expect to.

But I am not a "member" of the Democratic party. I consider myself an independent - and would prefer we were not locked into a 2-party system. But under the current system the only way I would vote for a presidential candidate who was not a Democrat is if party politics change significantly so that Democrats are significantly less aligned with my values than they are currently, or if there is an independent or third party candidate closer to my values with a real chance of being elected (e.g. s/he was polling higher than the Democratic candidate) or a Democratic candidate who was truly no different than the Republican (e.g. County Clerk Kim Davis {jailed for refusing marriage licenses to same gender couples} - who, until very recently, was a Democrat).

Frankly, it is similar to my views about nationalism. I happen to be a citizen of the US because that is where I was born. That doesn't mean I am blind to its flaws. Nor does it mean I believe everyone who is not a US citizen is evil or undeserving of being a US citizen or living in the US. I evaluate every candidate on their merits, regardless of party affiliation. In more than 4 decades of voting, I can only recall two local Republican (state appellate judges I worked for/with) whose merits warranted my vote. I did once vote for a Democrat like Kim Davis (knowing he was an idiot, but expecting him to vote consistent with Democratic values - which he didn't) - and I have regretted that vote ever since.

[loyalsister]

135. Not on paper

My state doesn't have party registration. I can't afford dues and when I have joined in the past I have been frustrated by pressure to contribute what I don't have. Many of my friends are in the same boat. Many are party members. I do regularly volunteer for democratic candidates campaigns.

[Scurrilous]

137. K&R

[Gore1FL]

138. I don't have to declare a party membership in MO.

I always vote for Democrats.

I do find it pretty silly and short-sighted to encourage people in the left coalition to run as third party candidates in a electoral college system when we are all part of the same coalition, if that is what you are asking.

[Cha]

139. Thanks for the JCapehart Tweet, Peacetrain!

Link to tweet

[Peacetrain]

141. Hey Cha!!

Yep I knew the party had put something forward wanting people to be party members to run under our flag...so I was glad to see Johnathan had tweeted on it.. so it was easy to find!!

[Cha]

142. Aloha, Peacetrain!