Am I a Democrat or an Independent? Political Evolution.
I have voted for every Democratic presidential candidate since I was old enough to vote. Yet it wasn't until recently (President Obama) that I became comfortable publicly identifying as a Democrat.
I was an Independent. That meant I voted for the person best qualified for the job, which meant splitting my votes down ticket as I deemed fit. (Believe it or not, there was a time, prior to Bush Junior, when I didn't think all Republicans were horrible people!)
In 1996 I voted a straight party Democratic ticket for the first time in my life. It was a pure, rage induced protest vote based on the fact a Republican congress wanted to (and eventually did) IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR LYING ABOUT HIS NON-MARITAL SEXUAL ACTIVITIES in a blatantly partisan witch hunt led by a bunch of hypocritical moral degenerates. Betrayal of a "best friend" relationship (Linda Trip vs Monica Lewinski) and the fact that apparently Monica didn't swallow when performing oral sex at work/the President ejaculated on a blue dress and we all had to hear about it non-stop for what seemed like FOREVER along with earnest discussion about whether he was just a sex addict or there was something wrong with his wife dominated the public discourse. Concessions were made in regards to important legislation because of his lack of power, and bluntly, the whole situation was a national embarrassment. Political discussions invariably centered around the fact that a President's sex life was private, but the whole thing had started because Bill couldn't keep it in his pants and Hillary was subject to the same level of scrutiny. Why was she still with the lying cheater? Did she secretly approve? She was obvious distraught by the situation. Poor Chelsea! Etc.
Ad naseum.
In the 2000 election, despite significant accomplishments for the country under the Clinton administration, the Vice President distanced himself from his boss while running for the office. The man was incredibly well qualified: smart, experienced, a true statesman. I was proud to vote for him. And we ended up with Bush Junior instead - a man who admitted to being an active alcoholic until only a few years before, whose only significant life achievements involved a string of bankrupt companies that were barely concealed money laundering operations for influence peddling, and being born with a famous father.
I joined DU in 2004 as an independent Kerry supporter. My cynical view of national politics was that Republicans are corrupt, and Democracts are inept. How else to explain the whole "bully Republican versus Democrat wearing a kick-me sign"?
Thank God for Obama in 2008. He was amazing. He was able to handle the "rough and tumble" of politics, and I have not once been embarrassed by him during his entire tenure in office.
Let me repeat that: NOT ONCE.
I now admit to being a proud Democrat. Mitt Romney actually pushed me over the edge. I am comfortable with voicing a preference for the candidate I want my party to offer in the General Election - Bernie Sanders. I would be pleased and honored to vote for and support this man. I already have a sign in my yard and a magnet for my car. He is not a perfect candidate, but I really like him. I am a liberal, progressive Obama loving Democrat.
I am not a Hillary Clinton Democrat. I am embarrassed both by her baggage, her indefensible appearance of personal financial corruption similar to the Bush family, her lack of moral leadership on matters of LGBT rights and the IWR, and the weekly gaffes and missteps that have dogged her entire political life. I do not trust her judgment or her word. I find myself reacting to her with the same visceral negativity as I did Bush Junior: there is just something "not right" about her - she is calculating, but my perception is that it is about HER SURVIVAL AND NOT MINE.
The convention is still a few months away. I have shared my issues and concerns about this presumptive front runner for some time. Currently, it appears the choice is going to be Trump versus Clinton, and the thought makes me consider the benefits of Canadian immigration. Ha ha, right?
I would not be proud to vote for Hillary Clinton. I am not sure I can. I am not big on fear and blackmail - "do it or your daughter loses her reproductive rights" - and the most honest sign I could put up would be "Not Trump!" God help the Democrats if the Republicans find a way to broker their convention to get that boob off their ticket, because if they drop the crazy anti-abortion/anti-gay racist stuff, I'd bolt to them in a heartbeat if my only alternative was Hillary.
Republicans are corrupt. Democrats are incompetent. If she is the nominee, I will return to being an Independent. I guess I am only a team player if I like the captain.
= new reply since forum marked as read
"I am an independent because I don't care what other people think" and then realize the truth was I don't like being embarrassed as I explain why I support a candidate.
I was very proud to support Kerry, but a big part of that was he wasn't Bush Junior, Disaster President. I felt I could trust him to take care of business.
I was so disappointed when he didn't fight harder against the election fraud issues. 
I really hope to stay a Democrat and a member of this board. I am preparing for a potential change in my own "self-identity" if that makes sense. I don't think I am bitter - more realistic. This seems like pure incompetence - why even put up such a divisive candidate? Why not some of the other young ambitious ones?
But they were kibashed early with money and influence and threats to their careers, which is why the only guy willing to run was the Independent, who doesn't owe the DNC to keep his job if he challenges her.
It's sad, really. They could have kept all of the "New Democrats" and let us forget the embarrassment of the 1990s, but now we get to relive it.
