Confused political identity: People who think the GOP stands for the same things Democrats do

[wyldwolf]

It is only the last day or so I've really given this any thought, but it is a phenomena I've noticed for the last several years since Facebook became widespread. I have friends on Facebook who list their political preference as 'Republican.' Yet they post much of the same things my Democratic friends post in regards to issues, pictures, etc. They say they are pro-choice, pro-birth control, in favor of gay marriage and civil rights for all. They agree corporate influence in politics is what got us in this economic condition. All in all, having a conversation with them you'd swear they were liberals (in effect, they are). So when asked why the list "Republican" as their political preference, the answer is always similar to this: This is what Republicans believe.

Usually they're generational GOP - their parents were Republicans.

The discussions really get bizarre - and veer wildly into some of the most laughable historical revisionism I've ever heard. Usually, to preserve the friendship, I suggest they're liberal Republicans, which usually soothes their irritation at my challenge of their stated political philosophy.

Odd. But anyhoo, the challenge is to get them to vote our way.

Anyone notice anything similar?

[underpants]

1. It's called "Branding"

If you fit any one description (say Christian) then you are not only supposed to BELIEVE that you are Republican but you are also supposed to CHERISH that fact.

[1StrongBlackMan]

2. I think ...

A little drilling down will reveal whether these people are "republican", or "anti-Obama."

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. I dare say that is extremely common

One old friend from high school who I had not seen in almost 40 years – but I met up with on facebook - list Rosa Parks and Barbara Streisand as his two heroes but also list himself as a Republican and will sometimes post a video from a complete right-wing crazy like Michele Malkin. I doubt very much that most Republicans know what the Republican Party actually advocates. I doubt that most Republicans agree with most of the Republican agenda or particularly disagree with most of what would generally be considered a liberal-Democratic agenda. I think at the core of this clear misunderstanding is a notion that the Republicans stick up for the common working people while Democrats are a bunch of snooty elitist. I think this notion has been successfully pushed by the Republican Party’s noise machine ever since they learned from the George Wallace campaign of 1964 and 1968 that there is a market for right-wing working class populism and liberals are vulnerable to the charge of elitism. If one thinks about the common points pushed by the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Fox News – they are pushing this image and pretty much down playing questions of actual specific policy.

[limpyhobbler]

4. Sorry not really. I find people who identify as Republicans or conservatives do so because

they believe in supposed core Republican values like smaller government and lower taxes.

I know some who are younger, in their 20s. They are pro-choice, and support equality for gay people etc, and they don't think of themselves as racist because they like sports and they have some black friends.

But they also think life is pretty easy because people keep handing them things like jobs, raises, promotions up the latter, apartment leases to sign, and such.

They can't see why anyone would need help from the government unless they were just lazy. Everyone in their frat house or sorority house was a Republican so they are too.

They smoke weed socially but not every day. The cool thing in this circle is Ron Paul, but they'll take Rmoney as second best and they aren't comfortable around the Obama crowd. They think Obama is trying to "turn America socialist" because that's what their dad said.

This is not everyone obviously, it just describes some people that I know of who are younger Republicans.

[provis99]

5. misidentification is common among conservatives, but not among liberals.

In the survey research I've done in Indiana, self-titled liberals pretty much follow standard orthodox liberal ideology. About half of self-titled conservatives however, either follow liberal or moderate ideology. This helps explain why in totality Americans favor liberal posititions, but call themselves conservative over liberal by a 2 to 1 margin.

My unofficial conclusion, not to be added to the paper, is that conservatives are ignorant and stupid.

[Luddly Neddite]

6. I've seen the same thing.

I find people who identify as Republicans or conservatives do so because
they believe in supposed core Republican values like smaller government and lower taxes.

The funny thing about that is that the Repubs really want and do just the opposite. What we hear them saying and what they actually do are diametrically opposed.

More and more laws, bigger and bigger government in order to control our most personal and private lives, for example.

To reply to the OP, I have believed for a long time now that a fundamental misunderstanding occurs between people because we really do seem to think that we all believe the same thing, see things in the same way and want the same endings. Even though I expect to disagree with right wing views, I'm still surprised at times when I see the enormous disconnect between what I see/think/believe and what someone else perceives.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. Since "liberal" has been so thoroughly demonized by the right

Most people think they have to identify as conservative or Republican to avoid the "stigma" though a lot of people will still identify as much more progressive on the issues if asked specifically about them.

[hedgehog]

8. I think it's quite common and similar to members

of the top 10% and even 1% considering themselves "middle class".

Many here treat all Republicans with studied contempt. We should treat them as potential swing votes!

[Johnny2X2X]

9. Branding

They've done a remarkable job of branding Liberal as a bad word. They'd be shocked to learn that America was founded by a bunch of Liberls.

The ignorance of the Ron Paul supporter also plays a factor here as well.