Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:55 PM Sep 2012

Have you *ever* voted for a GOP candidate? If so, why?

(Inspired by DUer Hubert Flottz' thread further down in GD.)

I did. Rudy Giuliani. Must have been his first -- unsuccessful-- (1989?) run for NYC mayor vs. David Dinkins.

Technically... I voted for him on the Liberal ( third party) Party line, which occasionally endorsed liberal/moderate Republicans. But he was running as a Republican.

I thought Dinkins was a machine DEM and probably therefore corrupt and at that point Giuliani had made a name for himself by indicting DEM party bosses for corruption. ( Most of them were RW, so I basically favored favored the prosecutions. Also, I thought they were guilty.)

Giuliani also lacked a clear ideology at that time . He had voted for McGovern in '72. ( Me too.)

As it turned out Dinkins was a good mayor... in some ways a GREAT mayor and I voted to reelect him in '93. ( Worked for him too.) Unfortunately he got relentlessly bad press coverage throughout his mayoralty from the megabucks media barons that run this town and he lost the '93 matchup to Giuliani by a narrow margin.



237 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Have you *ever* voted for a GOP candidate? If so, why? (Original Post) Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 OP
Fuck no, and I doubt I ever will. nt tjdee Sep 2012 #1
No.Never. DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2012 #2
not to my knowledge. barbtries Sep 2012 #3
I can honestly say AsahinaKimi Sep 2012 #4
No and the question itself offends me a bit actually. Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #5
I always find one down ballot just to be "Fair." Dannyteague Sep 2012 #6
Yes, I have Ohio Joe Sep 2012 #7
Yes get the red out Sep 2012 #8
Senator John Chafee chemp Sep 2012 #9
I would have voted for him, too. GoCubsGo Sep 2012 #138
Yes. GoCubsGo Sep 2012 #140
In the Eighties and Nineties, I voted for Marge Roukema, our 7th (5th) district congressional rep. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #10
Weird connection here. I watched part of an unbelievably LONG interview w. Anna Quindlen... Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #30
Roukema was my Rep as well. RedSpartan Sep 2012 #200
He did well in 2006 and 2008... leftlibdem420 Dec 2012 #235
They weren't always bad. leftlibdem420 Dec 2012 #234
I have voted for a couple of Republicans in local township elections. enough Sep 2012 #11
I changed my Voter Registration to Republican one year formercia Sep 2012 #12
I might if our local Republicans could RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #27
i did the same....voted buchanan to weaken bush's numbers :0) DonRedwood Sep 2012 #129
I haven't. But I welcome those to the Democratic party sufrommich Sep 2012 #13
No 1GirlieGirl Sep 2012 #14
Welcome I love your profile and thanks for joining DU!!! gopiscrap Sep 2012 #185
Never goclark Sep 2012 #15
Yes, once in a local election WCIL Sep 2012 #16
Yup, will even do this, with knowledge this November nadinbrzezinski Sep 2012 #17
Check my name. Question answered! demosincebirth Sep 2012 #18
Ronald Reagan 1984... LeftinOH Sep 2012 #19
Shame on you! RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #22
Same here LondonReign2 Sep 2012 #37
Dang. I wouldn't cop to that. WinkyDink Sep 2012 #135
Me too. I did it because I felt ornery and wanted to cause trouble. Kablooie Sep 2012 #155
That was my first election too. I voted for Mondale. Chorophyll Sep 2012 #233
They didn't want to admit it. leftlibdem420 Dec 2012 #236
I never did, no. Alduin Sep 2012 #20
Never a Conservative Republican, or Conservative Democrat. RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #21
I have two words for you: Mario Proccaccino. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #46
Yeah, I was 14 RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #123
James Buckley won US Senate race outright as a big C Conservative. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #173
we have somewhat open primaries dembotoz Sep 2012 #23
I campaigned for one. IrishEyes Sep 2012 #24
Yes TheCowsCameHome Sep 2012 #25
Yep stklurker Sep 2012 #26
1982 Voted for Roger Hedgecock for Mayor of San Diego maveric56 Sep 2012 #28
Not knowingly, no. eqfan592 Sep 2012 #29
I voted for Rockefeller in the presidential primary in 1968 Progressive dog Sep 2012 #31
I remember that. Rocky made a last minute mad dash try to grab the nomination... Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #38
You are right Progressive dog Sep 2012 #69
Rocky may have been on the Cal ballot. Part of the "drama".... Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #76
I voted for Richard Nixon. ahg Sep 2012 #32
Only once.. virgdem Sep 2012 #33
Bush Sr. vs. Clinton PowerToThePeople Sep 2012 #34
Yes kctim Sep 2012 #35
Yeah, most people here already know that. Ikonoklast Sep 2012 #58
Whew, good kctim Sep 2012 #75
Struck a nerve, I see. Ikonoklast Sep 2012 #88
Na kctim Sep 2012 #125
Don't talk to flamers 1GirlieGirl Sep 2012 #127
Good advice. Ikonoklast Sep 2012 #132
NEVER Skittles Sep 2012 #36
I was really really tempted to vote for Orly Taitz. LeftyMom Sep 2012 #39
LOL, I was tempted to do so as well. xxqqqzme Sep 2012 #45
Do primaries count? ctaylors6 Sep 2012 #40
Ummm... probably not, but that's my fault for not framing the question more clearly. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #49
Never and never will. hobbit709 Sep 2012 #41
I'm ashamed to admit that I voted for Jerry Ford in 1976. I live in Grand Rapids, MI catbyte Sep 2012 #42
If Jerry Ford hadn't pardoned Tricky Dick hifiguy Sep 2012 #95
Once, for city council xxqqqzme Sep 2012 #43
I would have voted for Lincoln flamingdem Sep 2012 #44
Or Grant DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2012 #56
I could see having voted for Lincoln Chaffee if I lived in RI REP Sep 2012 #141
Yes and no. Ikonoklast Sep 2012 #47
Yes, in some local races, although not since the Republicans took the express to Crazy Town. n/t gkhouston Sep 2012 #48
Same here -- state rep Freddie Sep 2012 #180
Nancy Landon Kassebaum for Senate -- twice! longship Sep 2012 #50
No. Democrats can be lame, but Republicans are just evil. Comrade Grumpy Sep 2012 #51
yes... all the time belcffub Sep 2012 #52
Yes, although this was in the distant SheilaT Sep 2012 #53
I voted for a Republica for county auditor quiller4 Sep 2012 #54
Yes. Ron Paul brought me into politics when I was 20. Comrade_McKenzie Sep 2012 #55
Interesting path. What changed your dad? n/t Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #133
Never. spiderpig Sep 2012 #57
Yes. Proudly. Jim Jeffords. One of the most decent cali Sep 2012 #59
Mmmmm.... I might have voted for him too. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #62
Sanders would never have been stupid enough to attempt that cali Sep 2012 #70
I sure did. First time I ever voted, too DFW Sep 2012 #60
There was that awkward late sixties/early 70's period when... Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #66
No SoapBox Sep 2012 #61
Yup. George W. Bush, 2000 Victor_c3 Sep 2012 #63
EZ duz it. Go forth and sin no more. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #98
Oh, you poor guy. I feel your pain. You have to live with that. But you were young. Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #152
I voted for a Tea Bagger for Mosquito Commisioner.... RagAss Sep 2012 #64
+1 Bring out the guillotine. nt Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #93
No, but I wanted to... immoderate Sep 2012 #65
once and never again: bill weld for gov of massachusetts, when he ran against atilla the hun unblock Sep 2012 #67
I would not have voted for Silber. Under any circumstances. n/t Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #71
I did the same thing rox63 Sep 2012 #78
I voted for Weld too Gormy Cuss Sep 2012 #99
I made the exact same mistake. hughee99 Sep 2012 #202
oops, you're right, it was john silber. unblock Sep 2012 #220
That is my answer exactly. smirkymonkey Sep 2012 #209
Yes, I'm sorry to say. Zoeisright Sep 2012 #68
Local elections only. Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2012 #72
only for a local school board member wilt the stilt Sep 2012 #73
Never ever for ann--- Sep 2012 #74
I voted for McCain ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2012 #77
NEVER have I voted for a Repub politician. Manifestor_of_Light Sep 2012 #79
Nope, never geardaddy Sep 2012 #80
I confess. I did once. Le Taz Hot Sep 2012 #81
Nope. My first presidential election I could vote in was Bill Clinton's first term justiceischeap Sep 2012 #82
1972 was the first time I was eligible. yellerpup Sep 2012 #83
That is so sad. PowerToThePeople Sep 2012 #85
He thought it was hilarious. yellerpup Sep 2012 #97
Yes, I have. Because the Democrat at the time was anti-gay. The Republican was pro-Marriage Equality Ian David Sep 2012 #84
Not that I can think of, but I would. Barack_America Sep 2012 #86
Former Republican... KansDem Sep 2012 #87
I'm in Delaware and voted for Mike Castle and Bill Roth in all of their elections. woodsprite Sep 2012 #89
Once Arugula Latte Sep 2012 #90
I voted for Nancy Landon Kassebaum. patrice Sep 2012 #91
Not once, not ever.. PCIntern Sep 2012 #92
David Durenberger for Senator in 1978 hifiguy Sep 2012 #94
Yeah, all the Republican luminaries in recent history have been expelled from the party MNBrewer Sep 2012 #121
I voted for Durenberger that year as well dflprincess Sep 2012 #229
Where I live, a lot of the local elections are decided in the Republican primary gollygee Sep 2012 #96
I'd say that's a special circumstance. Objection sustained. n/t Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #107
I voted for a Republican on the county level cherish44 Sep 2012 #100
Because she's one of the few moderates left and takes care of us out of her heart. HopeHoops Sep 2012 #101
Yes...Raygun twice...why, because I was stupid and did movonne Sep 2012 #102
Ed Brooke in Mass. Warpy Sep 2012 #103
I remember Ed Brooke. hifiguy Sep 2012 #122
no bigtree Sep 2012 #104
Never for any major office. The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2012 #105
I have voted for one Republican here in Georgia. RebelOne Sep 2012 #106
this year I voted in the MO Repub presidential primary for (None of the Above) lastlib Sep 2012 #108
Only in a small town local race. northoftheborder Sep 2012 #109
Of course not. Solly Mack Sep 2012 #110
Primaries 2000 Mz Pip Sep 2012 #111
Yes, Gerald Ford and Connie Morella, in that order. CBHagman Sep 2012 #112
My very first vote was for Reagan... cynatnite Sep 2012 #113
Do primaries count? Iris Sep 2012 #114
I think not. People cross over just to play havoc w. the other side. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #164
Yes. I was for a local judicial race... Jeff In Milwaukee Sep 2012 #115
Nope. But, to my regret, I have voted for some neo-lib, 3rd Way, Democrats. Tierra_y_Libertad Sep 2012 #116
The closest I came was Anderson in '80. He ran as an independant. nt Javaman Sep 2012 #117
I voted for John Anderson too. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #206
no NNN0LHI Sep 2012 #118
I have MNBrewer Sep 2012 #119
Nope. Never. PotatoChip Sep 2012 #120
In the 90's I voted for a puke for state senate and wouldn't regret it on positions BUT TheKentuckian Sep 2012 #124
Truer words..... Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #167
Connie Morella once. Kingofalldems Sep 2012 #126
yes...when i moved i registered as a republican so i could vote for buchanan (to weaken bush) DonRedwood Sep 2012 #128
yes.... a local candidate and state treasurer madrchsod Sep 2012 #130
One time, Sherriff of Spotsylvania Co. VA etherealtruth Sep 2012 #131
NO. Starting in 1972. WinkyDink Sep 2012 #134
nope, not in my dna unapatriciated Sep 2012 #136
I voted against Diane Feinstein a couple times in the 90s. jeff47 Sep 2012 #137
I voted for Nixon ... REP Sep 2012 #139
I voted for Ryan for IL governor. Gidney N Cloyd Sep 2012 #142
Never in my life... a la izquierda Sep 2012 #143
nevah nevah nevah nevah nevah . . . Care Acutely Sep 2012 #144
Yes. Because I didn't know any better. MrSlayer Sep 2012 #145
Pete McCloskey eridani Sep 2012 #146
Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield Lydia Leftcoast Sep 2012 #147
I don't remember who he was running against but it would have been hard... Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #158
You're right about Morse Ken Burch Sep 2012 #171
One of my earliest political memories is Morse grilling Sec. Rusk at the FR Committee over VN. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #179
Better him than Scoop Jackson. leftlibdem420 Dec 2012 #237
I voted for Lowell Weicker in 1988 when Joe LIEberman challenged him. madinmaryland Sep 2012 #148
That was a no-brainer. I preferred Weicker at the time. Watergate-hero, etc. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #157
And I would do it again Sisaruus Sep 2012 #199
No, and I never will. RedCappedBandit Sep 2012 #149
NEVER rachel1 Sep 2012 #150
LOL For you and all others who say never cali Sep 2012 #166
Huh. Moderate conservatives are considered liberals now? Zorra Sep 2012 #193
Jim Jeffords was more liberal than 90% of dems cali Sep 2012 #196
Wow! You're right. Zorra Sep 2012 #218
Yeah? Well, LOL back atcha. If a Republican were THAT decent, he'd be a DEMOCRAT. WinkyDink Sep 2012 #213
Never. n/t laruemtt Sep 2012 #151
Reagan. The first time. I didn't make that mistake again. Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #153
Was 18 and stupid. Bought into the "balance the budget" BS. Tigress DEM Sep 2012 #224
I've never voted for a Republican in my life standingtall Sep 2012 #154
Huey Long was a Democrat. (n/t) Jim Lane Sep 2012 #159
Thanks standingtall Sep 2012 #162
Yeah? And STILL better than a greed-head Republican. WinkyDink Sep 2012 #215
Nope, never sakabatou Sep 2012 #156
Richard Nixon was my very first vote Raine Sep 2012 #160
Yes, three times, and I regret only one of them. Jim Lane Sep 2012 #161
That was an evil campaign they ran against Holtzman. Smarmie Doofus Sep 2012 #163
One time for county road commissioner. B Calm Sep 2012 #165
gerald ford ldf Sep 2012 #168
Yes, I voted for Jim Edgar for governor when I lived in Illinois. phylny Sep 2012 #169
If I'd been old enough to vote in 1978(I was slightly too young), and if he'd won the GOP primary Ken Burch Sep 2012 #170
Yes. Mayor of my city (Cleveland suburb) MercutioATC Sep 2012 #172
Jacob Javits, Jack Kemp, a few local guys. baldguy Sep 2012 #174
No. LWolf Sep 2012 #175
1994 John McCain, when he was a sane Repub. Sedona Sep 2012 #176
William Weld, Governor of Massachusetts Atman Sep 2012 #177
If I had still been living in Mass at that time I would have voted for Weld over Silber Douglas Carpenter Sep 2012 #192
In 1975 I voted for the Republican candidate for District Magistrate in Corry, PA - The Democratic Douglas Carpenter Sep 2012 #178
Never ever ever never ever life long demo Sep 2012 #181
hell, no, and i never ever will! n/t shanti Sep 2012 #182
No, not once in my lifetime. However, I thought that Eisenhower was a decent guy. I also ladjf Sep 2012 #183
At the Presidential, Congressional, Senatorial, Gubernatorial NEVER gopiscrap Sep 2012 #184
Reagan 1980. I was a teenager, parents were Republicans. tinrobot Sep 2012 #186
Eisenhower LeFleur1 Sep 2012 #188
No! jody Sep 2012 #187
No. IMO, only a person with very serious negative personal issues could be a republican. Zorra Sep 2012 #189
as much as I hate to say it.. Terra Alta Sep 2012 #190
No, I was raised at a time when we understood voting a straight ticket with a D behind it. Born in jwirr Sep 2012 #191
Once ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2012 #194
Yep. jschurchin Sep 2012 #195
Yes Fla_Democrat Sep 2012 #197
John Anderson for President in 1980- Because Jimmy Carter was a failure at that point JPZenger Sep 2012 #198
John Heinz. He really was a good Senator and did things to help the people of this state. appleannie1 Sep 2012 #201
nope proud patriot Sep 2012 #203
I almost did once - But then I sobered up and realized I couldn't liberal N proud Sep 2012 #204
Gerry Ford is the only one I can think of. There might have been kestrel91316 Sep 2012 #205
Yes, for county judge. Deep13 Sep 2012 #207
Never Vanje Sep 2012 #208
Charlie crist in 2006.... rppper Sep 2012 #210
For state senate. Wasn't much politically different between them so I voted for the Irish Catholic RB TexLa Sep 2012 #211
I have always voted a straight Democratic ticket Generic Brad Sep 2012 #212
Yes (more than one), and I campaigned for one. Ms. Toad Sep 2012 #214
Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass.) louis c Sep 2012 #216
I kinda miss voting mixed tickets LTR Sep 2012 #217
no quaker bill Sep 2012 #219
Once local election. I sneezed and the pencil made a mark on the GOP side, benld74 Sep 2012 #221
Only one republican president Blue_In_AK Sep 2012 #222
Not one! Democrats every time! DearHeart Sep 2012 #223
Never. Shae Sep 2012 #225
Nope. Never. ...nt TeeYiYi Sep 2012 #226
Not a GOP Candidate, no. Scootaloo Sep 2012 #227
Yes. N.Y Republicans were more liberal than many marybourg Sep 2012 #228
Olympia Snowe GreenPartyVoter Sep 2012 #230
I voted for one moderate R in a local election sweetloukillbot Sep 2012 #231
Never have. Chorophyll Sep 2012 #232

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,705 posts)
2. No.Never.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:58 PM
Sep 2012

I used to live in Seminole County, FL where the Democratic party was so weak at one time that they didn't or couldn't field candidates for every position. In those instances I voted Libertarian.

Ohio Joe

(21,656 posts)
7. Yes, I have
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:00 PM
Sep 2012

I voted for reagan his first term. It was my first election and I really knew nothing about polotics... I thought he was funny when I had seen him on TV so I voted for him. I started paying attention after that and went D.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
138. I would have voted for him, too.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:42 PM
Sep 2012

The only time I ever cried when a republican died. If he was still alive, I am sure he would have done as his son did, and left the party.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
140. Yes.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:49 PM
Sep 2012

County coroner*. I did so at the recommendation of his predecessor, my state's first female coroner, and good Democrat. She left office when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was he assistant. She trained him well. I'll happily vote for him again.



*If it were up to me, this wouldn't be an elected office, let alone partisan one.

no_hypocrisy

(45,771 posts)
10. In the Eighties and Nineties, I voted for Marge Roukema, our 7th (5th) district congressional rep.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:02 PM
Sep 2012

Marge was republican but not like today's brand. I adored her!

She was warm, intelligent, ready to negotiate, would listen to all opinions (even dems'). I'd vote for her again if she hadn't retired.

Scott Garrett is our present rep of the district. He was Tea Party material back in the Eighties. (P.S. Marge would NOT endorse Garrett when he ran the first time.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marge_Roukema

I also voted for Millicent Fenwick against Frank Lautenberg for Senate in 1980. She was the prototype for Lacey Davenport in Doonesbury. Like Marge, I adored her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millicent_Fenwick

Not all republicans, esp. women, were like Clare Booth Luce.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
30. Weird connection here. I watched part of an unbelievably LONG interview w. Anna Quindlen...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:13 PM
Sep 2012

... on Book Talk ( CSPAN?) recently. If memory serves... she also ID'd Fenwick as the only GOPer she had ever voted for.

In which case... Hubert Flotzz has to share credit/blame for this thread w. Quindlen and myself.

RedSpartan

(1,693 posts)
200. Roukema was my Rep as well.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 07:22 PM
Sep 2012

She was one of the good ones. Needless to say, after her, I did NOT vote for Garrett.

Now, due to redistricting, my rep has changed to Rodney Frelinghuysen, another moderate Republican:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Frelinghuysen

The only other Republican I have voted for was Christine Whitman in 1997.

 

leftlibdem420

(256 posts)
235. He did well in 2006 and 2008...
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 09:40 PM
Dec 2012

The lunatic fringe did poorly. Good lesson for Republicans to keep in mind.

 

leftlibdem420

(256 posts)
234. They weren't always bad.
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 09:38 PM
Dec 2012

You're talking about the party of Abraham Lincoln, Fiorello LaGuardia (a staunch New Deal liberal and FDR ally), Margaret Chase-Smith, Robert La Folette, Jim Jeffords, Earl Warren, and Edward Brooke. Back then, a lot of Republicans found Bob Dole too conservative. Most would now found him too "liberal".

enough

(13,237 posts)
11. I have voted for a couple of Republicans in local township elections.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:02 PM
Sep 2012

This is where you know everyone personally.

formercia

(18,479 posts)
12. I changed my Voter Registration to Republican one year
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:03 PM
Sep 2012

so I could vote against Bush twice, once in the Primary and once in the General Election.

I know it didn't make any difference, but it felt good anyway.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
27. I might if our local Republicans could
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:11 PM
Sep 2012

Come up with their own candidates.
However what has happened here is that the Dems hold their caucus, and the Rep town leaders hang out after the event and convince the loser of the Dem caucus to run as a Rep!
That's when we have our caucus before theirs. If they have their caucus first, they put up the same people who just lose every time. Well, mostly every time any way.

1GirlieGirl

(261 posts)
14. No
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:03 PM
Sep 2012

Never have, never will. I registered to vote as soon as I turned 18 because I didn't want Ronnie Ray-guns to win a second term. I believe in voting as a civic duty. A lot of women fought really hard so that I now have the right to vote. But I would sit out an election before I would ever vote for a repub.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
17. Yup, will even do this, with knowledge this November
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:05 PM
Sep 2012

it's a judge's race. Prop 14 meant that the two top vote earners moved to the general. They both happen to be Republican. One happens to be a moderate republican, the other a hard core tea party judge, who has also done a few things in court that are questionable.

I hope that answers your question.

Fellow San Diegans, your choice is between Amador, a rational republican, or Miller, a crazee son of a gun.

LeftinOH

(5,342 posts)
19. Ronald Reagan 1984...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:06 PM
Sep 2012

It was my first time voting, age 19. I was a kid in college; in one of the classes that morning, someone blurted out "hey- did anyone vote for Mondale?" Everyone laughed (the presumption being that everyone voted for Reagan..which was generally the case).

1984 was a long time ago.

LondonReign2

(5,213 posts)
37. Same here
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:23 PM
Sep 2012

'84, my first and only vote for a Republican.

My liberal education hadn't quite kicked in yet, but it would soon. I volunteered for Dukakis in '88. My transformation was rapid and complete, thanks to St. Ronnie's second term and Senior Bush's complete dickishness.

Kablooie

(18,571 posts)
155. Me too. I did it because I felt ornery and wanted to cause trouble.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:17 AM
Sep 2012

Dont think ill do that again.

I didn't vote for him the first time.

Chorophyll

(5,179 posts)
233. That was my first election too. I voted for Mondale.
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 01:08 PM
Sep 2012

Disliked Reagan from the first moment I heard him open his mouth, when I was 14. Felt I was being patronized.

But that's just me.

 

leftlibdem420

(256 posts)
236. They didn't want to admit it.
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 09:42 PM
Dec 2012

4/10 American voters voted for Mondale. Seems like a perfectly normal thing to have done.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
21. Never a Conservative Republican, or Conservative Democrat.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:07 PM
Sep 2012

On your point, in NY there were people who ran on the Dem, and Rep party line, and also ran on the Lib or Con line. NY always had a good mix. there were Lib Reps, Con Dems, Lib Dems, and Con Reps. There were just plain Libs and Cons, as there were Dems and Reps.

That all seemed to dry up after Raygun and his keepers decided to make "Liberal" a dirty word. The NY Liberal Party was once a huge party. It's now barely a shadow of what it once was.

I would wish I knew how I could resurrect it. I would do it in a minute. We need a Liberal party. A plain old Liberal Party.

As Kennedy stated in his 1960 speech, "What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal.""

We need a strong Liberal Party like never before.

You can read the entire speech here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/jfk-nyliberal/

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
46. I have two words for you: Mario Proccaccino.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:36 PM
Sep 2012

His RW mayoral victory in the DEM primary in '69 breathed new life into the Liberal Party.... which gave it a long second wind.

We need another Mario Proccaccino.

The LIB party also had problematic leadership. ( Eventually out for patronage only, not ideology; that pretty much killed it) But for a while it acted as a restraint
on the DEM party... i.e. keeping it from getting too anti-progressive.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
123. Yeah, I was 14
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 05:07 PM
Sep 2012

So I don't remember much about his campaign.
I do remember that Lindsay had a better campaign, and won on the Liberal ticket. I guess that would bring life into any party.

But growing up, I remember all different stripes of Cons, Libs, Dems, and Reps running on multiple lines in NY.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
173. James Buckley won US Senate race outright as a big C Conservative.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:07 AM
Sep 2012

Didn't need GOP. That must have been 1970. 3 way: liberal repub, liberal DEM and big C Conservative.

The right invented the Conservative Party as a counterweight to the labor/left's invention of the Liberals. I giuess around 1960. They wished to skew the GOP right in the same way that the Libs wanted to pull the DEMs left.

Usually they cross-endorsed the big party pick but sometimes they'd run their own candidate.... usually sabotoging the big party ( GOP or DEM) for not nominating an ideologue.

Made for some interesting strategizing, as you note.

These days electoral politics ... at least in NYS... and ideology are almost completely distinct entities. Thus the preponderance of bland, finger-in-the-wind types like Cuomo, Schumer and Gillebrand.

Play it safe, kids, play it safe.

IrishEyes

(3,275 posts)
24. I campaigned for one.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:09 PM
Sep 2012

I was six and he was my dad. I appeared in campaign posters. The voters and the press loved me because I was coached to say adorable things. Dad won the election. Voters liked what a great family man he was. I don't remember it. I have never actually voted for a republican.

TheCowsCameHome

(40,161 posts)
25. Yes
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:10 PM
Sep 2012

I voted for Romney in 2002. There was something about his opponent that rubbed me the wrong way. (I don't remember what it was, so don't ask) It became evident early-on the Romney was only using Massachusetts as a doormat and resume-builder for a White House run. I wish I could have retracted my vote.

Another old friend ran for some very insignificant local position every two years, and I'd throw a vote his way. Now he's gone to the teabagger side, and I don't even speak to him anymore.

I'd never vote R again, I don't care who it was that was running.

Screw the whole bunch of them.

On edit: I play around with the open primaries now and then, and that's only to help benefit the Dems later on.

stklurker

(180 posts)
26. Yep
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:11 PM
Sep 2012

Because there are still idiots on both sides of the aisle and I vote based on the individuals and their actions, not necessarily the party charter. That being said I have voted (D) the last several elections, but as an independent I can tell you that its a lot closer this election and a lot of independents that were Obama supporters I knew from 08 are not nearly as enthused anymore. They feel he dropped the ball big time.. and blaming the republicans just doesn't cut it....what is he going to do DIFFERENTLY this time...?

The funny thing here is I think that Hillary could win in a landslide.. I really do.

maveric56

(137 posts)
28. 1982 Voted for Roger Hedgecock for Mayor of San Diego
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:12 PM
Sep 2012

I was young! I'm sorry!
At the time he came across as a populist candidate. He surfed and told tales of protecting the environment. That all turned out to be bullshit.
This was a non-partisan election where both candidates (Hedgecock and Bill Cleator) were repugs.

eqfan592

(5,963 posts)
29. Not knowingly, no.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:12 PM
Sep 2012

There were non-partisan races I voted in back home where somebody may have been one, but that's it.

Progressive dog

(6,861 posts)
31. I voted for Rockefeller in the presidential primary in 1968
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:13 PM
Sep 2012

I originally registered as a Republican, I skipped the 1968 elections because I didn't like either Nixon or Humphrey. I changed my registration to Independent before the next Presidential election. After that, I could find no Republicans to vote for except a couple in local races. I have been a registered Democrat since 1977 and have voted in every election since for the Democrat in state, national, and county races. I have become more liberal as I have grown older, which I attribute to the wisdom of age.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
38. I remember that. Rocky made a last minute mad dash try to grab the nomination...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:27 PM
Sep 2012

... from Nixon. AFTER the primaries.

He sort of reinvented himself as a flower-power, peace-in-VN billionaire for the occasion.

What a strange time.

Progressive dog

(6,861 posts)
69. You are right
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:57 PM
Sep 2012

Must not have voted for Rockefeller, but I did vote in the Republican primary in Mountain View, CA in 1968. Now I wonder who I did vote for. I know I punched the IBM card.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
76. Rocky may have been on the Cal ballot. Part of the "drama"....
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:07 PM
Sep 2012

.... was that he was winking at supporters around the country throughout the primary season while insisting that he would NOT be a candidate. The result was... if i recall... he WAS on the ballot esp in some late states ( i.e. w. June primaries.)

Good tactic. Creates a big media guessing game.

But he didn't formally announce til they were over. Or ALMOST over.

A lot of things these people do they do for attention. Rockefeller was like that. A bored Zllionaire.

virgdem

(2,119 posts)
33. Only once..
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:17 PM
Sep 2012

in 1988, while living in Connecticut, voted for Lowell Weicker, who was a very moderate Republican at the time and moved to Independent a few years later. He was running against "Joementum" Lieberman, who unfortunately won the race. Knowing what Lieberman morphed into in later years, I feel somewhat vindicated in a way that I voted for the only Republican I've ever voted for in my life.

 

PowerToThePeople

(9,610 posts)
34. Bush Sr. vs. Clinton
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:17 PM
Sep 2012

I was just out of High school. There were many things I did not approve of about Clinton. Growing up in the Reagan era made me a "free market" (R) thinker.

The impeachment and all the negatives that were there was the first strike against Republicans in my mind.

The crash of 2000 and all the corporate fraud associated with it was the second.

The Supreme court appointment of a President was the third. Republican thinking was out.

Starting a war based on lies pushed me extremely left.
Patriot act.
Gitmo.
Rendition.
Warrantless wire-tapping of citizens

The list goes on and on....

 

kctim

(3,575 posts)
75. Whew, good
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:05 PM
Sep 2012

I'd hate for anybody to think I was just another blind partisan cheerleader marching in lock-step with what I am told. Sitting around all day hoping somebody agrees with me, or says something I agree with. Mocking all who dare have their own opinions, values and beliefs. And, contrary to the facts, pretending my opinion is the majority opinion, day in and day out.

No, I prefer to think for myself, ask real questions, and rely on facts.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
88. Struck a nerve, I see.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:26 PM
Sep 2012

Most here have used their reason and intellect and have taken the position of supporting those they believe in.

You cannot call others "blind partisans" using the same reasons they have to arrive at their beliefs, without being one yourself.


If you support and vote for Republicans, you therefore also support what they believe in.

You also must acknowledge that facts are meaningless to the members of the current Republican Party, yet you will vote for them anyway.

 

kctim

(3,575 posts)
125. Na
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 05:38 PM
Sep 2012

I just find it ridiculous to assume people who believe in a balance, moderates, have not used "reason" and "intellect" to hold the beliefs they do.
I call them blind partisans because they base their "facts" in politics, just like you did by saying facts are meaningless to Republicans, or that agreeing with Republicans on one thing, means you support all they believe in.

Neither Dems or Reps all believe in the same thing, nor do either of them have a monopoly on the "facts."

1GirlieGirl

(261 posts)
127. Don't talk to flamers
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:24 PM
Sep 2012

Surely you recognize a troll when you see one. Don't encourage it. Ignore it and it will go away.

Skittles

(152,964 posts)
36. NEVER
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:18 PM
Sep 2012

even if there's a halfway "decent" republican candidate somewhere s/he is with a party that endorses racism, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, etc.

ctaylors6

(693 posts)
40. Do primaries count?
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:28 PM
Sep 2012

I've lived in some deeply red areas. At those times, I felt like I need to vote in the GOP primaries or have no voice at all in the ultimate outcome.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
49. Ummm... probably not, but that's my fault for not framing the question more clearly.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:40 PM
Sep 2012

Some DEMs that live in crossover states will vote in the GOP primary to help select the weakest candidate. ( The GOPers do the same to us).

In your case, though the situation is different. You're excused.

catbyte

(34,170 posts)
42. I'm ashamed to admit that I voted for Jerry Ford in 1976. I live in Grand Rapids, MI
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:31 PM
Sep 2012

and all the schmaltzy "homecoming" stuff on the local news, etc. got to me so I started to feel sorry for him. Plus, Betty rocked.
I've regretted it ever since. That's my one and only time.



Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Leo, Taz & Nigel, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage Even Though They Are Lower Life Forms--HISS!”

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
95. If Jerry Ford hadn't pardoned Tricky Dick
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:52 PM
Sep 2012

he would have won. He wasn't a terrible sort - moderate and pragmatic - and who knew that some of his staff would wind up morphing into monsters (Rumsfeld, Darth). Betty Ford was a treasure and I always thought the world of her - smart, independent, compassionate and very much her own woman.

xxqqqzme

(14,887 posts)
43. Once, for city council
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:31 PM
Sep 2012

It was when we were trying to save the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and the only candidate favoring it was a moderate among a sea of of 'pave it' mentality rethugs.

REP

(21,691 posts)
141. I could see having voted for Lincoln Chaffee if I lived in RI
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:50 PM
Sep 2012

He's an Independent now, but even as an R, he seemed to be a decent and thoughtful person.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
47. Yes and no.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:37 PM
Sep 2012

I vote for a common pleas court judge when his term comes up in a non-partisan election.

Before he ran for judge, he represented me as my attorney in a few matters.
He was a good attorney, and is an even even better judge.

He routinely gets high marks from both parties, and gets re-elected by a wide margin.

But I know that he is a Republican...but more like a Rockefeller Republican than anything.

He's the only one I ever voted for that I know is a Republican.

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
180. Same here -- state rep
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:36 AM
Sep 2012

He's an old-fashioned reasonable Repug and a really nice guy, I know him personally. He's retiring at the end of his term and I will never vote R again!

longship

(40,416 posts)
50. Nancy Landon Kassebaum for Senate -- twice!
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:40 PM
Sep 2012

One of the most progressive Republicans in recent decades. Always respectful and always respected. I had no problem voting to send her back to the Senate chambers.

She could not get past a primary today.

BTW, she has since married another well respected Republican senator Howard Baker. Not sure what they're doing these days. Seems like they've dropped out of public life.

belcffub

(595 posts)
52. yes... all the time
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:41 PM
Sep 2012

in local elections political party matters little... so little that politicians often change parties when they see it as an advantage... I vote for the person who I think will do the best job...

people who vote straight party line every election annoy me... how little thought... heck about 20 years back the local democratic party endorsed all republicans in the county legislature over some spat about nothing...

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
53. Yes, although this was in the distant
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:45 PM
Sep 2012

past of the early 1980's. I actually can no longer name the exact candidates, but I do recall having paid reasonably close attention to the races in question and coming to the decision the Republican was the better choice.

At a presidential level, never. And in recent years, never at all places on the ballot.

quiller4

(2,467 posts)
54. I voted for a Republica for county auditor
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:45 PM
Sep 2012

He was one of my college professors and I knew him to be an ethical and moderate man. I had served on a citizens licensing review panel. I was convinced that the Democratic office holder was involved in a kickback and extortion scheme. I tried to find a Democrat to challenge him in the primary. When I was unsuccessful, I supported the Republican challenger.

The Democrat won and three months later he was indicted, pled guilty and went to prison. I don't regret my support for the more ethical man but I doubt my old professor would feel welcome in today's Republican Party.

 

Comrade_McKenzie

(2,526 posts)
55. Yes. Ron Paul brought me into politics when I was 20.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:46 PM
Sep 2012

I registered Republican and voted for him in the primaries. He mostly resonated with me because of his antiwar stance, but, naively, I took the whole package.

I skipped the 2008 election and registered Libertarian shortly after, but the more I experienced the real world, the more I started to renounce their ideals.

Then the day Gabby Giffords was shot, something happened to me and I started watching the President and those on the left quite a bit. I am now a registered Democrat and farther to the left than the President.

This will be the first Presidential election in which I am going to participate. This will also be the first Presidential election my dad will vote Democrat. We always go vote together.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
59. Yes. Proudly. Jim Jeffords. One of the most decent
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:48 PM
Sep 2012

least bullshit men ever to grace Washington.

He's the one and only.

DFW

(54,051 posts)
60. I sure did. First time I ever voted, too
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:49 PM
Sep 2012

It was in the Philadelphia mayoralty election of 1971. Republican Thatcher Longstreth, a decent guy, was up aginst Frank Rizzo, the corrupt, violent, oafish Commissioner of Police.

In their one TV debate, Rizzo thought (in a manner of speaking) he'd be cute and ask Longstreth stright out why Longstreth had called Rizzo all sorts of names in the past (like, buffoon, jerk, etc.)

Longstreth just said, "Well, if the shoe fits, Commissioner....."

I have never voted for a Republican since.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
66. There was that awkward late sixties/early 70's period when...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:55 PM
Sep 2012

... some of the old "liberal" repubs were to the left of the old-guard, pro-vn war, anti civil rights, usually big city ( Rizzo, Daley, Mario Proccaccino) clubhouse DEMs.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
63. Yup. George W. Bush, 2000
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:52 PM
Sep 2012

Look up the definition of a "wallmart republican" on urbandictionary.com. That pretty much described me to a "T" when I was growing up and in 2000.


[quote]Wal-Mart Republican (noun)

The illegitimate cousin of the Wall-Street Republican who based on economic circumstance should be a Democrat. But because of certain prejudices identifies with the GOP. These prejudices include, racism,bigotry,homophobia,religious zealotry and sexism. There is also a strong tendency to follow NASCAR, display the confederate flag and affix an NRA sticker on ones pick up even though the membership dues were never paid.

Larry:
Jim Bob, how in the hell can you be a Republican? You live in a trailer, have no health insurance and no savings or investments whatsoever.
Jim Bob:
That black ass, muslim, homo lover ain't takin' my guns away!
Larry:
Oh, I see. You are a Wal-Mart Republican!
[/quote]


I grew up hard conservative and I thought Al Gore was a POS. 4 years later I was hanging out in Iraq and I certainly didn't believe that anymore. It's amazing how your mind changes on certain things when you actually have to see firsthand how the policies or ideas you were, in part, responsible for setting in place are implimented and received on the ground. To put it simply, the war sucked and it completely changed my political outlook. I will never, ever, vote republican again.

I know. I completely deserve to be flamed on this and I'm willing to take it. I was 20 years old and I really was still under the influence of the values and thinking of my parents at that time. Please go easy on me!

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
152. Oh, you poor guy. I feel your pain. You have to live with that. But you were young.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:25 PM
Sep 2012

As another poster said, "Go forth, and sin no more."

 

immoderate

(20,885 posts)
65. No, but I wanted to...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:53 PM
Sep 2012

In 1964, I was 17 and had just read the philosophical writings of Ayn Rand, and it all seemed real neat to me. I would have voted for Goldwater. It also fed into my rebelliousness, since my family was Democratic.

I was taken aback when I mentioned this to a beloved professor. He said "Ann Rand huh?" and I nodded. And then he said, "She's a flying hunk of shit!" and that took me aback.

Subsequently, as a "libertarian," I saw that Republicans offered no relief in areas of civil rights, women's rights, and ending foreign aggression as in Vietnam, and by the time I was old enough to vote, I held my nose and voted Dem, who had become too right wing for my taste. So I never actually voted for a Republican.

I was dangerous.

--imm

unblock

(51,974 posts)
67. once and never again: bill weld for gov of massachusetts, when he ran against atilla the hun
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:55 PM
Sep 2012

david silber was an insufferable autocrat and a mean, nasty man. absolutely loathsome. how he won the democratic nomination i have no idea.

i was young and foolish and thought that a seemingly decent republican might be better than a truly rotten democrat.

i was wrong.

the problem, of course, is that even decent republicans surround themselves with, let's say, more typical republicans, side with more typical republicans, and appoint more typical republicans to various positions, including some with life tenure.


that's a mistake i'll never make again.

rox63

(9,464 posts)
78. I did the same thing
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:10 PM
Sep 2012

I couldn't stomach voting for Silber. Weld wasn't horrible as governor. But I voted for the Dem the next time Weld ran.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
99. I voted for Weld too
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:57 PM
Sep 2012

because Silber was so loathsome. Weld wasn't bad although he was a bit of an embarrassment with his drunken antics. The Republicans who warmed that seat after him though were terrible.

hughee99

(16,113 posts)
202. I made the exact same mistake.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 07:29 PM
Sep 2012

My repuke vote was for Weld. I'm not 100% sure it was wrong, though. If Silber (John, I believe it was) had won the nomination, he would have become head of the state party and reorganized it into something we wouldn't recognize today. He could have crippled the Massachusetts democratic party for a decade.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
220. oops, you're right, it was john silber.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:35 PM
Sep 2012

no idea why a thought it was david and to any david silbers out there, sorry for likening you to attila the hun....

Zoeisright

(8,339 posts)
68. Yes, I'm sorry to say.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:56 PM
Sep 2012

But I was 18, and raised in a conservative family. Then I grew up and never voted repuke again.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,085 posts)
72. Local elections only.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:59 PM
Sep 2012

Namely, my county commissioner is a Democrat but a major egomaniac who I believe is likely corrupt. Of course, he panders to the senior communities (a big voting block) so he essentially a shoe-in for re-election every time he runs. However, I just got fed up with him one election year and chose to vote for his Republican challenger strictly as a protest vote. Of course, he was re-elected, not that I doubted he wouldn't be.

I will say that in 2010 I voted for Republican-turned-Independent Charlie Crist in the Florida Senate race against Rubio over Kendrick Meek. I liked Meek but I thought Crist stood more of a chance at winning. It turned out, however, that both lost pretty handily unfortunately.

 

wilt the stilt

(4,528 posts)
73. only for a local school board member
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:02 PM
Sep 2012

and her daughter is on Al Sharpton's show. Her name is Patricia Murphy and she is from Citizen's United. Her mother is in Gwinnett County and it is the only way she can get elected. She is quite moderate.

Outside of that never.

 

ann---

(1,933 posts)
74. Never ever for
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:02 PM
Sep 2012

president or Federal office. I did vote once for the Republican running against Wilson Goode for Mayor when I lived in Philly.

 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
79. NEVER have I voted for a Repub politician.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:11 PM
Sep 2012

Republican judges, yes, if they were sensible. I worked at the courthouse and knew who was sensible and who wasn't. In Texas, J.P.s, county and state district judges are elected.

Le Taz Hot

(22,271 posts)
81. I confess. I did once.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:15 PM
Sep 2012

Back in 1976 Mike Curb for Lt. Governor of CA. Brown went on an overseas trip (he was dating Linda Ronstadt at the time) and while he was away, Curb signed all kinds of right-wing legislation. Brown had to rush back to CA to stop him. That was the first and last time I voted for a Republican.

I feel so cleaned now!

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
82. Nope. My first presidential election I could vote in was Bill Clinton's first term
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:17 PM
Sep 2012

I've always pulled the lever for Dems and I can't see a future where I'd ever pull one for the repubs.

yellerpup

(12,249 posts)
83. 1972 was the first time I was eligible.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:19 PM
Sep 2012

I was planning on voting for George McGovern. It was my first time and I was always trying to build a better relationship with my dad, so when he asked if I wanted to go with him to vote, I said okay! When we signed in, I was so excited! Dad asked the elections inspector if he could go into the booth and 'show me how.' She said that was fine.

So we get into the booth, I flip the lever for McGovern and he stopped me. He said, "Hold on, you're doing it wrong." So I stepped back and he flipped the lever to Nixon and voted. I stepped up and said, "Okay, my turn," and started to flip the McGovern lever again. He pushed me back and said, "You already voted," and he voted for Nixon AGAIN.

Needless to say, we never shared another father-daughter moment together.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
84. Yes, I have. Because the Democrat at the time was anti-gay. The Republican was pro-Marriage Equality
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:22 PM
Sep 2012

Also, it was only for a State Rep. position, and not a national office.

In Massachusetts, throwing one more Republican into our statehouse wouldn't have hurt or Democratic super-majority anyway.

The good news is, since that time, the Democrat has actually grudgingly (and with great indignation at how terrible the people on both sides of the issue treated her) come-over to the Pro-Equality side, AFTER the election.

woodsprite

(11,853 posts)
89. I'm in Delaware and voted for Mike Castle and Bill Roth in all of their elections.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:32 PM
Sep 2012

They were both moderate Repubs. I always wished that Castle had switched parties. Especially after being done in by O'Donnell.

Up until last year, I was registered Repub. Other than in DE's closed primaries, I only actually voted for repub for Castle and Roth. If you know Delaware, that's literally been for YEARS. I've been a member of DU since 2004. I was devastated to wake up and find Bush still President. After I told off a repub running for office at the Memorial Day parade in 2010, I've known I had to switch. When I renewed my license, they asked me if I was happy with my party or did I want to change it. I jumped at the chance.

I guess I never should have registered Republican that many years ago. I made sure in primaries I voted for the weakest contender to the Dem candidate, except for Roth and Castle. Hubby is still registered repub. We'll both be voting in our particular primary on 9/11, and both will be voting straight Dem for the general election. We're also adding a third voter (our daughter) to our household voter roll this year! We both worked for Obama/Biden in 2008, and are going to do it again.

 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
90. Once
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:33 PM
Sep 2012

I lived in Washington DC and voted for the woman who ran against Marion Barry. She had an R after her name but she was just about as liberal as any Democrat I've seen.

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
94. David Durenberger for Senator in 1978
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:47 PM
Sep 2012

A conservadem asshole sandbagged Minnesota liberal icon Don Fraser in the Dem primary. Durenberger was more liberal so I voted for him. Never regretted it either after Durenberger became a big advocate for health care reform and a gigantic pain in the Raygun administration's ass over Central America policy in the eighties.

Interestingly, he's now a registered independent.

MNBrewer

(8,462 posts)
121. Yeah, all the Republican luminaries in recent history have been expelled from the party
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 04:40 PM
Sep 2012

Durenberger, Arne Carlson ...

dflprincess

(28,057 posts)
229. I voted for Durenberger that year as well
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 12:11 AM
Sep 2012

and for the same reason. Durenberger was actually more liberal than Bob Short (owner of the Lemington Hotel) who had beat Fraser. (though if I'd know Short would die within 2 or 3 years I might have voted differently because Perpich would have appointed his replacement).

We also have Durenberger to thank for the VA hospital we have now. An "earmark" that was desperately needed - the old hospital was a disgrace - but today's Republican would never have fought for that.

gollygee

(22,336 posts)
96. Where I live, a lot of the local elections are decided in the Republican primary
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:53 PM
Sep 2012

so I have voted in the Republican primary for local candidates. I haven't voted for a Republican over a Democrat though.

cherish44

(2,566 posts)
100. I voted for a Republican on the county level
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:01 PM
Sep 2012

But that person was a friend of mine and not a rabid wingnut conservative. I'd vote for a Republican that has the backbone to stand up to crazy that's taken over the GOP party for sure.

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
101. Because she's one of the few moderates left and takes care of us out of her heart.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:05 PM
Sep 2012

I'm speaking of Senator Patricia Vance, Cumberland County, PA.

Other than that, only as protest votes. I'm registered as a Republican so I can vote in the primary and I wrote in Jill Stein (Green Party) on the Republican ticket. Obama wasn't contested and neither were any of the other contests on the Democratic primary ticket. It was a "none of the above" choice, but she is very closely aligned with my views so hopefully it will have registered SOMEWHERE. Our district really didn't have any significantly challenged races this year. If nothing else, a protest vote reduces the numbers for the vote ratio of the winning candidate.

movonne

(9,623 posts)
102. Yes...Raygun twice...why, because I was stupid and did
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:09 PM
Sep 2012

not pay much attention to politics although I considered myself a Liberal...

Warpy

(110,907 posts)
103. Ed Brooke in Mass.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:13 PM
Sep 2012

I've forgotten who his opponent was, but it was a conservative stiff. Brooke was the better choice. The next time he ran, he ran against Tsongas and I voted for Tsongas.

Note that this was before Reagan handed the party over to the religious nutcases. After that happened, it was all over for me, I'd never vote Republican again, no matter how good the guy was and what kind of idiot the Democrats had dug up. If the Democrats had dug up an antichoice idiot, I'd either vote third party or sit it out.

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
122. I remember Ed Brooke.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 04:46 PM
Sep 2012

He was a good man, very much the old school New England Republican - moderate to progressive. Minnesota used to have solid, decent Repubs like that too until they were all driven from or expelled from the party.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,276 posts)
105. Never for any major office.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:16 PM
Sep 2012

I think many years ago I voted for one for something local - but I don't quite remember who, or why. Might have been something like mayor or city council, and I think it might have been because the Dem was either an idiot or a crook.

RebelOne

(30,947 posts)
106. I have voted for one Republican here in Georgia.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:20 PM
Sep 2012

It was for Chip Rodgers. Mainly because of his stand on animal cruelty. He managed to pass dog fighting laws.

lastlib

(22,981 posts)
108. this year I voted in the MO Repub presidential primary for (None of the Above)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:47 PM
Sep 2012

There was no Dem opposition to Obama, and I wanted to f*ck with the repigs. I *ALMOST* voted for Icky Ricky just to REALLY f*ck with 'em, but decided I just couldn't live with my conscience if I did, so I went with NOTA, which actually worked out better.

When I was just getting started in politics, I worked for MO Senate candidate Jerry Litton, who won the primary but was killed in a plane crash the night of the primary. His replacement on the ballot was a nasty piece of work neither I nor anybody else trusted, so I wound up casting my vote for John Danforth, who wasn't bad for a Repig. He won, but I NEVER voted for another Repug.

Mz Pip

(27,404 posts)
111. Primaries 2000
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:51 PM
Sep 2012

I voted for McCain. I knew Gore would be the candidate and that I would vote for him in the General regardless of who the Republican nominee was. I couldn't stand Bush, even back then.

CBHagman

(16,968 posts)
112. Yes, Gerald Ford and Connie Morella, in that order.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:52 PM
Sep 2012

Last edited Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Mind you, I had just turned 18 when I cast a vote for Ford, and the gulf between the two parties wasn't as wide. And I had a lot of growing up to do.

In the next presidential election, I voted for Carter, and I've voted either a straight Democratic ticket, or close to it (See below), ever since.

As for the vote for Connie Morella, I can offer in my defense that she used to side with the Dems on most things, and so received bipartisan support in a reliably blue state in a reliably blue county. In fact when I had seen the light and was making GOTV calls for the Democratic Party years back, encouraging people to vote for our then-candidate, Terry Lierman, I'd get arguments that "Connie is not a Republican."

Morella finally was unseated by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) after A) there were some changes made to the 8th Congressional District in Maryland ) and B) she went negative in the campaign.

cynatnite

(31,011 posts)
113. My very first vote was for Reagan...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:55 PM
Sep 2012

I was so uninformed back in those days. I also considered myself a moderate repub and was in the Army.

It was later when the contract with America came out that I left the repub party and went Dem. Haven't looked back.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
164. I think not. People cross over just to play havoc w. the other side.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:05 AM
Sep 2012

Doesn't tell you what they really think.

Jeff In Milwaukee

(13,992 posts)
115. Yes. I was for a local judicial race...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:57 PM
Sep 2012

The candidate was a friend of the family and not at all a bad guy. Married to a Democrat.

 

Tierra_y_Libertad

(50,414 posts)
116. Nope. But, to my regret, I have voted for some neo-lib, 3rd Way, Democrats.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:58 PM
Sep 2012

That was when I still fell for the "not as bad" rationale.

MNBrewer

(8,462 posts)
119. I have
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 04:32 PM
Sep 2012

While I was a young, closeted, self-hating gay man, I identified with the Republican Party. I voted for Reagan's re-election. After coming out, my identification switched, and quick!!!

Years later, I voted for the Republican candidate for Hennepin County Attorney against Amy Klobuchar. In a televised debate, Klobuchar said she wanted trials changed so the prosecution goes last, because it would result in more convictions. The Republican disagreed, saying that if it all comes down to who speaks last, the burden of proof being on the prosecution, the defense should go last.

I found Klobuchar's views appalling, and unworthy of a Democrat.

PotatoChip

(3,186 posts)
120. Nope. Never.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 04:34 PM
Sep 2012

Last edited Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:52 AM - Edit history (1)

Straight ticket Dem from President on down to my local animal control person from the time I was first eligible to vote. Come from a right wing christian fundamentalist family so I figured the least I could do was cancel out one of their votes.

I hope everyone on DU will do their part this year by voting a straight Dem ticket regardless of whether you are 'disappointed' w/the party or not. We can deal w/our own internal party problems after the election. Right now, it's more crucial than ever to keep the right wing extremist lunatics out of office (or kick out the ones currently in).

-Just my 2 cents fwiw.

TheKentuckian

(24,943 posts)
124. In the 90's I voted for a puke for state senate and wouldn't regret it on positions BUT
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 05:36 PM
Sep 2012

he caucused with the mouthbreathers and so was toxic.

I learned a lesson I should have understood beyond academically, that for legislators, it doesn't matter nearly as much what they espouse as it does who they vote with.

Being a decent kat who lived down the street that can look you in the eye doesn't buy jack apple shit in the real world. Pretty harmless as an error in judgment but not without cost to the conscience, at least.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
167. Truer words.....
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:29 AM
Sep 2012

>>>Being a decent kat who lived down the street that can look you in the eye doesn't buy jack apple shit in the real world.>>>

.... were never spoken.

One of life's more difficult .... and *painful*.... lessons.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
128. yes...when i moved i registered as a republican so i could vote for buchanan (to weaken bush)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:26 PM
Sep 2012

but that is the one and only republican vote i've ever cast

madrchsod

(58,162 posts)
130. yes.... a local candidate and state treasurer
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:37 PM
Sep 2012

in the home town of ronny raygun there`s not many democrats to vote for.

etherealtruth

(22,165 posts)
131. One time, Sherriff of Spotsylvania Co. VA
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:42 PM
Sep 2012

No DEm was running ... the incumbent (a very scary good old boy name TC Waddy) ran as an independent against the Republican (Ron Smith). that was 15 years ago .. it galled me to do it but Waddy was a complete jack ass

REP

(21,691 posts)
139. I voted for Nixon ...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:46 PM
Sep 2012

Jay Nixon (D), who is an honorable man. It still made me choke a little to vote "Nixon."

I'm too young to have voted for Tricky Dick.

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,781 posts)
142. I voted for Ryan for IL governor.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:59 PM
Sep 2012

I thought he was considerably less creepy than his downstate Democratic opponent. Still do.

a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
143. Never in my life...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:02 PM
Sep 2012

though I was a registered Republican (my mom told me to pick that). I was 18 and had no clue.
I worked for Jim McGreevy's campaign in college. Fun times!

 

MrSlayer

(22,143 posts)
145. Yes. Because I didn't know any better.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:17 PM
Sep 2012

I didn't become politically aware until I was in my twenties so I just voted as my dad did. Voted for Poppy Bush twice, much to my regret. I also voted at random down ticket, picking every black or Latino sounding name on the ballot and often voting third party as well.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
146. Pete McCloskey
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:18 PM
Sep 2012

They aren't making Republicans like than anymore.

On edit--forgot McCain when WA State had open primaries. Either Gore or Bradley would have been OK, and I wanted to vote against Bush.

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)
147. Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:20 PM
Sep 2012

because he was against Reagan's Central American wars and for mass transit and the environment. He was one of the nearly extinct species of environmentalist Oregon Republicans.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
158. I don't remember who he was running against but it would have been hard...
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 03:22 AM
Sep 2012

... for me to justify voting against Hatfield.

Oregon had a tradition of interesting party shifts. Wayne Morse, if I'm not mistaken, started out as GOP.

Hatfield should have followed him over.

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
171. You're right about Morse
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:57 AM
Sep 2012

He was from Wisconsin, and his Republicanism was in the LaFollette Progressive tradition. He was elected twice to the U.S. Senate as a Republican(1944 and 1950) defected to the Dems in 1954 after a brief spell as an independent, then won two more terms on the Dem line(1956 and 1962) before finally being narrowly defeated in 1968(he'd been weakened by a right-wing, pro-war challenge in the primary that year) by future serial tongue molester Bob Packwood. Morse lost to Hatfield in the '72 race, and was running against(and by most accounts leading)Packwood in 1974 when he died of leukemia.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
179. One of my earliest political memories is Morse grilling Sec. Rusk at the FR Committee over VN.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:34 AM
Sep 2012

God, how the political culture has changed. the hearings were carried live in mid morning by the 3 big networks. At one point CBS wanted to back out and play I Love Lucy reruns instead. The head of CBS News *resigned* over it. Must have been '66 or '67.

Anyway, Morse was a *bulldog*.

Here's what he had to say about JFK in his abbreviated challenge for the DEM presidential nomination, 1960:

>>>"When the Eisenhower Administration took office one of its first objectives was to riddle the tax code with favors for big business and it did so with the help of the Senator from Massachusetts. We need a candidate who will reverse the big money and big business domination of government. We need a courageous candidate who will stand up and fight the necessary political battle for the welfare of the average American. Kennedy has never been willing to do that."[35]>>>>> wikipedia

Sheeezzzz. Remember when there was such a thing as substantive debate over issues within the party?


madinmaryland

(64,920 posts)
148. I voted for Lowell Weicker in 1988 when Joe LIEberman challenged him.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:21 PM
Sep 2012

I also voted for Weicker in 1990 when he ran for Governor of CT, but he was running as an independent in that race.

I hated LIEberman back in 1988, probably because of the fucking lies he told during that campaign.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
157. That was a no-brainer. I preferred Weicker at the time. Watergate-hero, etc.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 03:18 AM
Sep 2012

But that election grew in significance as Lieberman's layers peeled away over time.

Yuck.

Sisaruus

(718 posts)
199. And I would do it again
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 07:14 PM
Sep 2012

I was employed by the state legislature while Weicker was Governor. Interesting years.

rachel1

(538 posts)
150. NEVER
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:24 PM
Sep 2012

and I never will.

Lying, hypocrisy, warmongering, homophobia, religious fundamentalism, etc. will never be acceptable to me.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
166. LOL For you and all others who say never
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:26 AM
Sep 2012

Jim Jeffords
Link Chafee
John Chafee
Edward Brooks
Lowell Weiker

Jim Jeffords was the most liberal of these but they were all liberals.

Granted there is no one like these guys in the repub party now but once upon a time....

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
193. Huh. Moderate conservatives are considered liberals now?
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:38 PM
Sep 2012

It's definitely time for a major effort to swing the political leanings of this country to the left, and back to sanity.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
196. Jim Jeffords was more liberal than 90% of dems
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 06:28 PM
Sep 2012
http://www.ontheissues.org/Jim_Jeffords_VoteMatch.htm

just because you're unfamiliar with his record, doesn't mean he wasn't a liberal.


Let's see: Strongly supported abortion rights, embryonic stem cell research, no notification of parents of teen girls seeking an abortion, and every other possible liberal position in this arena.

Supported affirmative action, opposed gender based wage discrimination, favored hate crimes legislation for LGBT folks for gay adoption,
no on constitutional ban on gay marriage

Against the DP, voted against the Iraq War.

I could go on and on.
 

WinkyDink

(51,311 posts)
213. Yeah? Well, LOL back atcha. If a Republican were THAT decent, he'd be a DEMOCRAT.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:42 PM
Sep 2012

The Parties DO have principles and platforms, you know,.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
153. Reagan. The first time. I didn't make that mistake again.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:30 PM
Sep 2012

It was more a vote against Carter. I don't recall liking Reagan. But most of the country didn't want Carter to have a 2nd term, including me.

Tigress DEM

(7,887 posts)
224. Was 18 and stupid. Bought into the "balance the budget" BS.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:57 PM
Sep 2012

If we'd had the internet resources we do today, I'd have been able to pull together Reagan and Jarvis and I lived through what Prop 8 did to California.

But as soon as he came out with his "Reaganomics of 1/2 here, 1/2 there and the other 1/2..." EXCUSE ME?! Did I just vote for someone who failed 8th grade math? DOH! I was plenty smart by the next election cycle.

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
154. I've never voted for a Republican in my life
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:14 AM
Sep 2012

Last edited Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:18 AM - Edit history (1)

If I had been around at the times I would've voted for Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, but those type of republicans don't exist anymore.

Raine

(30,540 posts)
160. Richard Nixon was my very first vote
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:06 AM
Sep 2012

I first registered as a Repug. I voted for Ford the next time but those were the only Repugs I voted for. I re-registered Democratic after that and voted for Carter.

 

Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)
161. Yes, three times, and I regret only one of them.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:11 AM
Sep 2012

The first two were liberal Massachusetts Republicans. In 1972 (my first election), Ed Brooke was up for re-election as a Senator. None of the prominent Democrats felt comfortable running against the Senate's only black, so the Democratic nomination fell more or less by default to a guy (I think he was a county sheriff) who attacked Brooke from the right. Brooke trounced him.

In 1974 came the one I regret. In an open race for state Attorney General, the Democratic nominee, Frank Bellotti, was the type of machine Democrat mentioned by Smarmie Doofus in the OP. I voted for the liberal Republican, Si Spaulding. I remember after the election, in a group of friends, I thought to spark an entertaining argument by revealing my vote. It turned out that every single one of us had voted for Spaulding. Someone said, "Do you suppose there's been some mistake?" -- meaning how could the Democrat have won if he didn't get any votes from a bunch of liberals in a college town (Amherst). Bellotti, however, turned out to be pretty good as AG. I would have voted to re-elect him if I hadn't left Massachusetts.

The most recent one was in 1993. Liz Holtzman was the New York City Comptroller and a first-rate public servant. Geraldine Ferraro was nursing a grudge against Holtzman because of Holtzman's criticisms of her when they were opponents in the 1992 Senate primary. The next year, when Holtzman sought re-election as Comptroller, Ferraro recruited an opportunistic State Assemblymember, Alan Hevesi, to run against Holtzman. Hevesi won the primary. In the general election, I was ticked at Hevesi for beating Holtzman, plus I just didn't trust Hevesi, plus his opponent was actually another Democrat, Herman Badillo (former Democratic Congressmember). Maybe my vote for Badillo doesn't count for this thread because he was a Democrat although running on the Republican and Liberal lines as part of Giuliani's fusion ticket. Incidentally, my distrust of Hevesi was vindicated by his subsequent criminal record. He is currently doing time.

So I voted against an all-white Senate and against a Democratic crook. As for 1974, well, cut me some slack, one mistake in 40 years.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
163. That was an evil campaign they ran against Holtzman.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:03 AM
Sep 2012

The tabloids --- Murdoch ( naturally) and Zuckerman --- went after her with a vengeance and inflated a relatively minor financial misjudgment ( mixing city business w. campaign fundraising) that she acknowledged into a capital crime.

I worked for Holtzman but probably voted for Badillo in the general. For the very reasons you cite.

 

B Calm

(28,762 posts)
165. One time for county road commissioner.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:22 AM
Sep 2012

I worked with the guy and I knew better. We argued national politics almost daily. He said he would get the gravel road I live on black topped. The only road that got black top was the road he lived on and our county taxes went up. Never ever again will I vote for a damn no good republican!

ldf

(2,964 posts)
168. gerald ford
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:39 AM
Sep 2012

i really liked betty ford.

it was obvious he really loved her. and she was the beginnings of progressive ideas being talked about IN the whitehouse. if he considered her opinion, i felt he would do the right thing.

i was also VERY leary about a christian preacher (carter) being elected president. christians didn't seem to have the capacity to NOT push their beliefs on others.

so i voted for betty.

well, i was right about betty, and could not have been more wrong about carter. carter ended up being one of the most intelligent, and humble men to ever inhabit the whitehouse.

and if it had not been for the pentagon's clusterfuck in iran, and reagan's little deal with iran, he would have been re-elected and gone on to become one of our best presidents.

but that is just my 2 cents.

but i have never voted for a republican since.

phylny

(8,353 posts)
169. Yes, I voted for Jim Edgar for governor when I lived in Illinois.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:44 AM
Sep 2012

He was a moderate republican, and I thought he was a good choice for governor.

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
170. If I'd been old enough to vote in 1978(I was slightly too young), and if he'd won the GOP primary
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:48 AM
Sep 2012

I would have voted for Tom McCall in the Oregon governor's race(McCall was trying for a comeback after being term-limited out of the governorship in 1974). McCall was a progressive legend in the state(if he'd challenged incumbent governor Robert Straub in the Democratic primary, McCall probably WOULD have beaten the more right-wing-but still moderate by today's standards-GOP candidate in the fall). But he chose to run again in his own party's primary and the Reaganites were strong enough to defeat him by a fairly solid margin.

McCall(socially liberal, strongly environmentalist, even fairly fiscally liberal) was the sort of Republican who simply doesn't exist today...if anyone tried to run on his program in a GOP primary anywhere today, that person would not only lose...she or he would probably be SHOT by a teabagger.

 

MercutioATC

(28,470 posts)
172. Yes. Mayor of my city (Cleveland suburb)
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:24 AM
Sep 2012

He's been Mayor for 20 years and has done a great job.

I was very disappointed in the last Democratic candidate to oppose him...a carpetbagger from another suburb (who lost the election there) who distributed a ton of campaign literature that contained nothing but innuendo and outright lies.

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
175. No.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:16 AM
Sep 2012

I was an independent for 20 years before registering as a Democrat in protest of the 2000 selection. I've been a registered voter for 34 years, and I've never voted for a GOP candidate.

I've voted for Democrats, independents, and 3rd party candidates.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
177. William Weld, Governor of Massachusetts
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:25 AM
Sep 2012

Only GOP vote I've ever cast. At the time, I was even on the Marketing Committee of the Springfield, MA school board, and Gov. Weld came to meet with us one day, along with Bill Bennett. I still think Weld is a good guy, but he seems to have dropped off the face of the earth.

Full Disclosure; Weld was running against the Boston University President John Silber, one of the craziest-ass mofo Democrats ever to come down the Mass Pike. It wasn't a difficult choice, and it turned out pretty well. Weld was a good governor.

Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts)
192. If I had still been living in Mass at that time I would have voted for Weld over Silber
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:06 PM
Sep 2012

Better a conservative like Weld than a fascist like Silber.

Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts)
178. In 1975 I voted for the Republican candidate for District Magistrate in Corry, PA - The Democratic
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:28 AM
Sep 2012

candidate was the wife of the Chief of Police and the Republican candidate was being accused of being too tough on the cops for not following proper legal and constitutional procedures. In actuality the Democratic candidate won and turned out to be just as - if not more tough on the cops as the previous Republican magistrate.

life long demo

(1,113 posts)
181. Never ever ever never ever
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:08 AM
Sep 2012

Never did since my first vote in 1964. I was born a democrat and will die a democrat. I think I'm more liberal then I was when I was younger. I wish I had the youthful energy all over again.

ladjf

(17,320 posts)
183. No, not once in my lifetime. However, I thought that Eisenhower was a decent guy. I also
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:23 AM
Sep 2012

admired the Clinton's Secretary of Defense, William Cohen who was a Republican.

gopiscrap

(23,674 posts)
184. At the Presidential, Congressional, Senatorial, Gubernatorial NEVER
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:34 AM
Sep 2012

I did vote once for a precinct committee person who was a Republican...I knew him for about 20 years and he was a good friend of mine! I always try to find a very minor official Republican so I can't be accused of being narrow.

tinrobot

(10,848 posts)
186. Reagan 1980. I was a teenager, parents were Republicans.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:43 AM
Sep 2012

I hadn't fully formed my own opinions yet.

Sorry, world.

LeFleur1

(1,197 posts)
188. Eisenhower
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:47 AM
Sep 2012

First time out I voted for Eisenhower. He was a hero, and of course, looking back now, he was NOTHING like today's Republicans. He had some values, and even warned against exactly what is happening today. After that election I began to pay attention, read platforms, observe candidates and what they had done in the past. I never voted Republican again. There have been a very few Democrats, locally, in lesser offices, that I wouldn't vote for so I didn't vote at all in those races.

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
189. No. IMO, only a person with very serious negative personal issues could be a republican.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:57 AM
Sep 2012

Belonging to a group that values war over providing medical help to sick folks, and which actually avidly promotes this agenda, is a definite sign of a very sick mind in my world view, and there's no way around this.

When looking at the big picture of the GOP from the POV of what the GOP actually says and does, I have no logical recourse but do conclude that republicans are one scary group of shallow, corrupt, dishonest, mean, nasty people, in varying degrees.

I could never, in good conscience, vote for anyone who identified as a member of this group unless my vote would, somehow, definitely help a progressive candidate win an election.

Terra Alta

(5,158 posts)
190. as much as I hate to say it..
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 12:28 PM
Sep 2012

I voted for Dumbya in 2000 and 2004.

In 2000 I was 19, young and stupid. Grew up in a conservative family and thought that's how I was supposed to vote.

By 2004, I had moved slightly to the left, but was still anti-choice. I voted for Dumbya based on that issue alone. I regret both votes.

In 2006 I changed my voter registration to Democratic and have been voting for Democrats ever since, and will continue to do so.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
191. No, I was raised at a time when we understood voting a straight ticket with a D behind it. Born in
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 12:38 PM
Sep 2012

1941 we maintained a Democratic majority that way for years. In the fifties my grandfather ran for sheriff as a rethug because it would have been the only way to win. I was not old enough to vote. Not sure my father even voted for him as the strait ticket rule was his rule. It occurs to me that this year is a good year to resume that rule.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
194. Once
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:41 PM
Sep 2012

I voted for a Republican Secretary of State because they were perfectly reasonable while the Democrat was an arrogant clown.

I also voted for for Lincoln Chafee as an independent over the Democrat in the Governor's race in 2010 because he was far more progressive and also pro-Obama unlike the slimeball we had running.

 

jschurchin

(1,456 posts)
195. Yep.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:50 PM
Sep 2012

Arlen Specter, more than once and i would again. He stood up for union members every day he was in the senate. Although he was a republican he ALWAYS voted in the best interest of working men and women.

liberal N proud

(60,300 posts)
204. I almost did once - But then I sobered up and realized I couldn't
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 07:32 PM
Sep 2012

My mind simply would not let me do it!

I know many who have voted in Republican primaries to influence the vote.

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
205. Gerry Ford is the only one I can think of. There might have been
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 07:40 PM
Sep 2012

one or two many years ago for minor offices, but never since for national office.

Deep13

(39,154 posts)
207. Yes, for county judge.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 07:57 PM
Sep 2012

He was a good judge.

Also for an ostensibly non-partisan mayoral candidate because the R. incumbent he was running against was worse.

rppper

(2,952 posts)
210. Charlie crist in 2006....
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:20 PM
Sep 2012

....was the only major candidate I've ever voted for outside of a local race that wasn't a democrat....I don't regret the vote...crist wasn't a half bad governor, despite his stance on gay marriage....he reformed the insurance companies here and pressed hard when his state had several floods during his tenure. He personally helped out a neighbor of mine after floods hit in central Florida in 08....Jim davis, His opponent in '04 was lackluster...ran a bad campaign.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
211. For state senate. Wasn't much politically different between them so I voted for the Irish Catholic
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:23 PM
Sep 2012

over the WASP. The Irish Catholic was a republican. He did ok in the legislature.

Generic Brad

(14,270 posts)
212. I have always voted a straight Democratic ticket
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:36 PM
Sep 2012

And I have not missed one election since I started voting in 1980.

Ms. Toad

(33,915 posts)
214. Yes (more than one), and I campaigned for one.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:44 PM
Sep 2012

I worked for a Republican judge (as a judicial clerk). I admire him tremendously. There were times when I had to draft an opinion I ultimately disagreed with. Our work pattern was for him to suggest to me after oral arguments the way he wanted the case decided. I reviewed the case file and the caselaw. If the way he wanted the case decided was consistent with my research I drafted the case that way for his review. If it wasn't, I took my work to him and explained why his result wasn't supported. He never once suggested I twist the law or facts to get the result his initial impression led him to. I voted for him twice and campaigned for him once. (Incidentally, even though one of those campaigns took place while I was working for him I had to active seek out the opportunity to work the campaign.)

He was, and is, a man of integrity. Even though there are cases where the law is unsettled and he would decide the case in the opposite way I would, unless he was opposed by a candidate of equal integrity I would vote for him again for judge in a heartbeat.

Similarly, in local politics, because I covered the local political beat I knew the local candidates quite well. The first time a particular Democratic candidate ran for state-wide office I voted for him even though he was an idiot because I figured I could count on him to follow the party line - which I generally favor if the alternative is the Republican party line (neither is generally progressive for me). I wish I had not. He did follow the party line, but he also introduced some idiotic and damaging legislation which passed. The second time around I voted for his intelligent Republican opponent. I don't know that I would do that now, since now party line currently trumps intelligence - but back then party lines were not so rigid, I had a chance of reasoning with someone who at least had intelligence going for them.

Locally (city/township/school board) and judges I purely vote on the person without regard to party label. Beyond that, at least these days, I would be hard pressed to vote for a Republican - even for state legislature. I might, as long as the race is not close, vote for a third party candidate who was more progressive than either major party candidate.

LTR

(13,227 posts)
217. I kinda miss voting mixed tickets
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:57 PM
Sep 2012

Back in the day, we used to vote for the best person, regardless of gang colors. Nowadays, virtually all the Republicans are nuts, so the only real choice left is Democrats (there is virtually no third-party movement here in Wisconsin).

So yeah, I have voted for Republicans. When I lived in Minnesota two decades ago, I voted for a Republican, Arne Carlson, for governor, the same year I also voted for Paul Wellstone for the Senate. Why Carlson? His Democratic rival, incumbent Rudy Perpich, was an idiot and Carlson was essentially a moderate anyways (he later left the GOP). I had no reservations about that vote. Whenever I had the opportunity to vot for a good moderate Republican over an incompetent Democrat, I did. I figured having more moderate Republicans to counter the extremist ones would be a good thing.

A few years back, in my current hometown of Milwaukee, I voted for a Republican for county sheriff over incumbent David Clarke, a total DINO who is really a Republican but runs as a Democrat because that's the only way he could win in Milwaukee County. His Republican rival was non-political, and only ran with that party because they had an opening. I think any real Democrat would understand that vote.

benld74

(9,888 posts)
221. Once local election. I sneezed and the pencil made a mark on the GOP side,
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:39 PM
Sep 2012

they wouldnt give me anothe ballot. HONEST! It was a sneeze!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Blue_In_AK

(46,436 posts)
222. Only one republican president
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:40 PM
Sep 2012

Gerald Ford (because I really liked Betty), but a few in Alaska. Former gov Jay Hammond, who I would vote for again, any time (except he's dead, so that probably wouldn't be a good idea). Also old Ted Stevens because the dems never ran a decent candidate against him. Whatever one might think of Stevens, he fought hard for Alaska. Those are the only ones I can think of.

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
227. Not a GOP Candidate, no.
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 12:08 AM
Sep 2012

But in my first election - 2004 - I did vote for a Few people from the Alaskan Independence Party. Them, and kerry, and some scattered Democrats, none that I remember.

Why?

Because I was a new young voter, and was thinking "lol alaska independence party lol lol"

sweetloukillbot

(10,790 posts)
231. I voted for one moderate R in a local election
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 01:04 PM
Sep 2012

Because the Dem was a LaRouchie who made it thru the primary. I may have voted for McCain once a long time ago, I never had a problem with him till the last presidential race.

And national Republicans I would've voted for include Jim Leach and Lincoln Chafee - both were great Moderate leaders who were swept out in 06. And both have been close allies of Obama.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Have you *ever* voted for...