Are there Dems in office that are actually Repubs?

[Equinox Moon]

A woman from Arkansas called into a radio show and asked if there was some rule or policy about a politician running for office as a Dem, getting elected, and then switching to be a Republican? She said this happened 3 times in Arkansas and she was not happy about it.

I wonder how deep this Republican coup is? There are all these think tanks happening on the sly, they must be coming up with ideas they implement without people knowing.

10 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes, there are Dems in office that are Republicans.
	9 (90%)
	No, there are not Republicans masquerading as Dems.
	1 (10%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[brooklynite]

1. House and Senate members have periodically switched Party, whether for ideology or ambition...

...but there's little purpose in remaining hidden in a Party with minority status.

[Equinox Moon]

3. Hmmmm.... I wonder at what point they reveal themselves?

[brooklynite]

16. Usually, right after the House or Senate switches sides

[Equinox Moon]

18. Interesting.

I wonder if that has happened from this last election?

I would be outraged if that happened in my state. They would have protestors regularly on their doorstep.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

19. I remember that a few Dems switched after the 1994 "Republican Revolution", esp. in the Senate

Senator Richard Shelby was one of them. So was former Democratic/Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse-Campbell. But, of course, we also had a few Republicans switch our way as well. James Jeffords of VT gave us control of the Senate for a short amount of time back in 2002 by leaving the Republican and caucusing with the Democrats as an Independent and the late Arlen Specter switched after President Obama's election for the remainder of his term- until he was primaried by Sestak in 2010. I'm actually surprised that Manchin is holding firm as a Democrat after this last election. I would have expected him to immediately switch sides, but he must not be very confident that he would survive a Republican primary in 2018 and probably is banking on having more of a chance at re-election as a Democrat (because he knows we need him for the numbers)?

[handmade34]

2. not official but

Joe Manchin

[Equinox Moon]

15. I am not familiar with him. I got this from his Wikipedia page:

"Manchin is known for his bipartisanship, voting or working with Republicans on issues such as abortion and gun ownership."

To me, this could mean he "sides" with Republicans...

[crazycatlady]

20. His state voted 70% for Trump

He is merely representing the people of his state (AKA his job description).

[Rhythm]

34. DINO Joe, indeed...

Never met a Republican talking point he didn't like (except for trying to keep coal miners' pensions/healthcare solvent).

He came of age in a time when Democrats were in the majority of even the county legislatures, so that's how he's registered.
Wish he'd just change already, so he could better reflect who he actually ~is~.

[CBHagman]

4. Just what is mascarading?

Does that mean ostentatious use of mascara?

[Equinox Moon]

6. got it

[MineralMan]

5. So, who do you suspect of this?

You must have some people in mind for your odd poll. I am abstaining from selection one of your two options.

[Equinox Moon]

7. No, I don't have anyone in mind.

I am going off of this woman's story from the radio and it concerned me.

[MineralMan]

9. What woman's story?

I haven't heard anyone suggesting that there are Republicans pretending to be Democrats. There are Democrats who don't always vote with the Democratic caucus on some issues. There are Democrats who are more conservative than average, because there are districts and states where a progressive candidate can never win.

I understand your concern, but your poll has too few options for me to be able to vote in it.

[Equinox Moon]

17. From Arkansas.

She called into the Thom Hartmann show, maybe this was last week, and said her state is almost completely red and getting worse with moves like this. She said x3 politicians were voted in as Democrats and while in office, changed to Republican. I have not looked into the politics of Arkansas to know either way.

Regarding the poll, well, it is my first.
What other options do you want on it?

[Buckeye_Democrat]

8. There's probably some "Democrats" like Zell Miller still in office, but...

I don't know which ones since I don't examine all of them enough.

[Equinox Moon]

12. WOW! This guy is explosive.

I read a little of his Wikipedia page. I wonder what principles of the Democratic Party appealed to him in the first place? Glad he is out of office.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

13. I think he voted with Democrats about limiting money in politics, but little else.

He was even anti-abortion near the latter part of his political career.

[SaschaHM]

10. Why put up with certain wings of the Democratic Party if you don't have to?

My last Senator wasn't a super progressive and I didn't agree with many of her votes. However, the actual republican we replaced her with is much, much worse and he doesn't put us in the majority.

[kenfrequed]

11. Of greater concern to me are those that vote like republicans

I am more concerned about those that vote like Republicans and pretend to be Democrats. They end up taking up a seat that could go to someone more progressive.

[Equinox Moon]

14. True. The way they vote is the bottom line & top line for that matter.

In the middle is their politicking work influencing others, writing legislation proposals, running committees, and influencing the public.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

21. Depends

It might be worth it to try to primary them in a state that is likely to vote for a more progressive Democrat, but if we're talking a blood-red state, the seat would likely just go to the Republicans if the choice is between an ultra-right-wing Tea Party type and a Bernie Sanders Progressive, the teabagger will most likely win unless they implode. It sucks but that's pretty much the political reality. Remember too, that Blue Dogs Democrats add to our numbers in the House and Senate if nothing else and if we hold a majority, we hold the power. Yeah, we might have one or two Blue Dogs whom are not with us on a few votes but they'll be with us more often than a batsh*t insane teabagger Senator or Rep.

[kenfrequed]

24. The investment in blue dogs costs us

Every time Harold Ford or Rahm Emmanuel or one of those characters shoved a blue dog down our throats two things happened.

1 They sold us out hard and fast on everything Democrats are supposed to stand for.

2 And then they would lose to a goddamned Republican anyhow.

Despite the fact that Truman was not my favorite Democrat he did say one thing right (paraphrased) "when given a choice between a Republican and a Democrat that sounds like a Republican why would anyone pick the Democrat?"

Blanche Lincoln would be the first example I whip out.

[Equinox Moon]

30. It is a concern isn't it?

"when given a choice between a Republican and a Democrat that sounds like a Republican why would anyone pick the Democrat?"

[KittyWampus]

22. Oh goodie, a witch-hunt based on something some women on a radio said that concerns you...

But at least you have a poll!

[Equinox Moon]

23. I think there is room on DU

for a variety of threads and dialogs. Sounds like this one is not for you.

[Johonny]

25. There are conservative, moderate, and liberal Dems...the idea of governance draws people

not a ridged ideology. People that have flocked to the democratic party came because
1) they're sick of the 60's culture war
2) they think the government works
3) they support governing, even conservatives want roads and bridges.

Basically the GOP has become the burn the whole thing down party and frankly isn't so much a party as every man for themselves graftfeast. When that's your other option it is no wonder conservatives are coming to the democratic party.

It wasn't that long ago the GOP was a spectrum party too, but then well this generation of idiots came to power and ran out the liberals, moderates, and apparently anyone with a brain cell. It's taken their voters a long time to catch on that the GOP party they are voting for no longer exists. Whereas Dems seem to always be disappointed their party isn't more liberal, although this years platform was pretty darn liberal by 21st century standards.

[Equinox Moon]

28. You have given me pause for ponderance.

Your comment is condensed understanding from knowledge overtime.
I appreciate it. Thank you.

Edit: I just noticed you voted No, which seems in contrast to your comment. Now I am very confused.

[MFM008]

26. Manchin

I believe he will switch parties.
Or he should.

[kimbutgar]

27. Yes

That is why it is important to research a candidate for higher office before voting for them.

If anyone with half a brain really looked at any rethug candidate they would not vote for them.

[Quixote1818]

29. Joe Lieberman seems more loyal to the right. nt

[Equinox Moon]

31. He retired in 2013 and was last listed as an Independent.

...per Wikipedia.

This was interesting from Wikipedia.

During debate on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as the crucial 60th vote needed to pass the legislation, Lieberman's opposition to the public option was critical for its removal from the resulting bill.[9]

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. Better ?....Are there Dems on DU that are actually Repubs?

[Equinox Moon]

33. I don't understand.

What is the "better" part of the sentence?