Political party Affiliation

[nadinbrzezinski]

well after reviewing the modified closed primaries for the state of California, I finally went to the Postal office and re registered, with the note, decline to state party affiliation. Yes as of today, I am an independent. For all of you screaming but, don't let the door hit you on the way out... bear in mind there were another four people doing the same at the same post office, in a very red county... and all WERE and HAVE BEEN grassroots party activates, in one case probably longer than most of you. So we started a conversation, I wanted to know what drove some folks to take this step... and see if any were in the same wavelength as myself

two it was the Monday vote.
two it was the unwillingness by the party to even attempt to get a Primary challenger to Dianne Feinstein, and Monday did not help, even if she voted on the right side this time.
Me, the fifth one, way too many reasons, and yes Feinstein figures in this as well.

Bear in mind we all feel the party no longer represents us, and it has moved away from us... now this is a report from the ground, could be a fluke, could be a trend... I don't know. For the moment, looking forwards to sending a long letter to Chairman Dean with a CC to the California Democratic Party letting them know why... a swift kick in the pants is needed.

Does this mean that I will no longer work for Progressive causes? Far from it, present to me a Progressive Democrat, I am there, with money, time and shoe leather... present to me a DLCer... well that is why I am now an independent.

[election_2004]

1. I've always been an Independent

It's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Welcome to the club. :)

I can't stand partisan groupthink. No Lieberman or Hillary for me, thank you very much! ;)

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Or Diane Feinstein

:-)

[election_2004]

4. Actually, Feinstein doesn't bother me that much

Some of Feinstein's recent comments I haven't been too thrilled with, but she basically serves as a rational "moderate alternative" for Californians to the more progressive (and much more courageous) Barbara Boxer.

When I become a Californian later this year, I'll trust Dianne with my vote (barring some major rhetorical gaffe on her part).

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I did in 2000, not again

I blame the many hours of watching C-SPAN

;-)

[election_2004]

6. I might vote against Feinstein....

...if she had a more credible primary challenger, such as Zoe Lofgren or Diane Watson.

But not Cindy Sheehan.

[radio4progressives]

7. Feinstein is never known for rhetorical gaffe's. but she is known for

War Profiteering..

[paulk]

8. it's her husband that's been accused of that

by many here on DU

whether true or not

that's an important distinction

one you should make

in the interest of truthfulness

[uppityperson]

2. Me too. Been there a long time.

I don't belong to any official party, but work as hard as I can to get the worst people not-elected. Yes, it is backwards, but then I am an uppity cynic.

[paulk]

9. all you have done is marginalize yourself

now you have no voice in the party at the federal, state, or local level.


-----------------


Barbara Boxer is also your Senator.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Really I have marginalized myself

you realize enough peoole do this nation wide, the party MIGHT JUST GET THE HINT?

By the way, pray tell me how exactly being an Independent voter prevent me from doing the following:

1.- Walk precincts for PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS I happen to agree with
2.- Give money to Progressive Democrats I happen to like
3.- Prevent me from calling my represenatives in Congress.
4.- Casting a ballot for them.

Call me back when you find the hole in your argument.

Yes it prevents me from participating in a local party caucus... like participating in them made any difference?

[paulk]

11. why would the party listen to people who have left it?

this seems to me a fundamental flaw in your premise.

If I were a candidate, I would certainly think twice about hiring someone who had left the party.

As for calling candidates - once again your party registration is going to have an effect on how seriously your opinion is taken.

Can you still vote in the primaries? I don't know what the law in California is. Here in Colorado you have to be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary. Participation in the primaries (and local caucuses) is often the only chance one does have to make a difference, in my experience, anyway.


What I don't understand is why your anger at Fienstien is being taken out on the party as a whole. Barbara Boxer is also your representative - doesn't she deserve your support, as a Democrat?

[election_2004]

12. If I had to register as a "D" in order to vote for a certain candidate....

I'd do it, but only as a technicality for the primaries.

I'd change my party affiliation right back, in time for the next (post-primary) election.