General Discussion

MrsMatt

(1,666 posts)

73. Almost life long

Reply to Eliot Rosewater (Original post)

Wed Jan 31, 2018, 08:55 PM

Jan 2018

Prior to college, I was heavily influenced by my father (VERY conservative).

First presidential election - as a newly minted (one week) 18 year old, I voted for Reagan over Carter. Due in part to what I considered the ill advised transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama.

Four years later, I was an enthusiastic supporter of Mondale, due to the influences of my more liberal college friends.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, I believe my journey to liberalism began with Nixon. When I was 10, I admired him - his overtures to China impressed me. So much so, I wrote him a fan letter (got a reply from Ron Ziegler!). When his crimes came to light, I was stunned. That was my first political betrayal, and damn if it didn't sow the seeds of my disillusionment of the political system. Mondale's candidacy gave me hope, and I started down the liberal path, but my real political hero (who cemented my liberalism) is Paul Wellstone. Still miss that guy.

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So you are a "lifelong" democrat? Always vote democratic party? [View all] Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 OP

I am a lifelong Democrat and have always voted for Democrats except a few walkingman Jan 2018 #1

It gets weird in the South, doesn't it? yallerdawg Jan 2018 #11

My father used to do that - switch parties for a primary and vote FOR the worst republican candidate George II Jan 2018 #43

I registered republican Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #59

I voted for Pat Buchanan against Bush in TN when I was 21. sfwriter Jan 2018 #87

I havent counted the anti Democratic party posts here, but there are some. Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #130

I voted GOP once in my life crazycatlady Jan 2018 #2

LOL that is a new one as to why, but I get it. When we are young we do that. Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #3

Glad you woke up. Some never do. mountain grammy Jan 2018 #4

I not only woke up crazycatlady Jan 2018 #22

Good for you mountain grammy Jan 2018 #26

That was that squirrely guy who shove some stupid agreement in her face at a debate.... George II Jan 2018 #62

Democrat born and raised. lkinwi Jan 2018 #5

Yep, even if you had to vote for someone imperfect. Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #6

Definitely! lkinwi Jan 2018 #37

I always vote for the most liberal candidate with, imho... CincyDem Jan 2018 #7

Yes, me too. LiberalBrooke Feb 2018 #101

You are absolutely correct to point this out. Sophia4 Jan 2018 #8

They dont need to listen to me, not now, they just need to win, NOTHING at ALL matters Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #10

Yet Hillary Clinton turned Orange County CA blue. Apparently not all CA Democrats helped with that. R B Garr Jan 2018 #79

Reminds me what a POC friend said recently Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #122

Let's hope we get another Democratic representative from Orange County Sophia4 Feb 2018 #125

CORRECTION; First time since the Great Depression, 1936, Orange County voted for a Democrat R B Garr Jan 2018 #81

It is great! Sophia4 Feb 2018 #126

Yes. I have voted for Democrats who later traitorously switched to the other party Glorfindel Jan 2018 #9

I voted for one republican in my life MaryMagdaline Jan 2018 #57

Preach it! Staph Jan 2018 #12

Not only are some Democratic representatives conservative, Hortensis Jan 2018 #13

Texas will turn blue eventually Gothmog Jan 2018 #14

Cruz to Lose! DFW Jan 2018 #16

No. My first vote ever, in 1971, was for a Republican DFW Jan 2018 #15

Joe LIEberman was my senator for 18 years. madinmaryland Jan 2018 #17

Ouch, god I would HATE that. I thought he left the party at the end, no? Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #18

Yes, after he lost his primary to Ned Lamont, he ran and won as a third party candidate. n/t femmedem Jan 2018 #24

My father once told me long long ago... Iahotdog Jan 2018 #19

Smart guy. Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #20

You should edit that to multi-millionaire GulfCoast66 Jan 2018 #28

It was a different time way back then Iahotdog Jan 2018 #47

I was not meaning to criticize. GulfCoast66 Jan 2018 #75

I'm retired uaw, I just had to go on ss last year. Iahotdog Jan 2018 #91

My father told me the same thing blueinredohio Jan 2018 #92

OK, yeah, but you gotta admit... druidity33 Jan 2018 #21

Manchin? Yeah, he is, but he is OUR asshole. Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #23

No disagreement here... i was just sayin'. K&R, nt. druidity33 Jan 2018 #33

Maybe but that logic could also come back to bite you angrychair Jan 2018 #82

Stupid laws wouldn't even come up for a vote if the Democrats held the majority. yardwork Jan 2018 #98

I agree as long as we hold majorities angrychair Jan 2018 #99

I wish we had at least one Democratic Senator in TN redstateblues Jan 2018 #84

The only Republican I ever voted for janterry Jan 2018 #25

Same here! The only time in my life I ever voted for a republican. smirkymonkey Jan 2018 #39

The Globe actually compared Silber to Trump janterry Jan 2018 #74

His wife was also pretty cool and kind of softened his rough edges. smirkymonkey Jan 2018 #85

Brattleboro janterry Jan 2018 #86

VT, right? Very nice! My brother lives in Burlington and I lived there smirkymonkey Jan 2018 #93

Vote progressive in the primary, vote Democrat in the general election. DinahMoeHum Jan 2018 #27

OK, lets do an exercise. What if a progressive is running for Manchin's seat Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #60

Yes, if only to put Manchin on notice. . . DinahMoeHum Jan 2018 #97

Nope. I was a socialist type for a long time ismnotwasm Jan 2018 #29

Always, my first time voting was during the whole Gore/Bush debacle. Then the hanging chad mess here dewsgirl Jan 2018 #30

In Ca we get to choose between two Democrats now for Senate MattP Jan 2018 #31

I lived in Georgia in 1980 *my first year of voting MaryMagdaline Jan 2018 #32

I've ALWAYS voted straight Democratic ticket. I did vote for Bernie SammyWinstonJack Jan 2018 #34

You don't need to tell me, I voted for Zell Miller for Senate (n/t) Spider Jerusalem Jan 2018 #35

always vote the best option when that's the best option left. Sure. Unless both stink. But hell no, JCanete Jan 2018 #36

I live in a ruby red FL county mcar Jan 2018 #38

Love your post mcar...good luck. I live in Ohio so I feel your pain. Demsrule86 Jan 2018 #41

We will bring a Blue Wave to FL! mcar Jan 2018 #42

Yes we will...fired up and ready to go! Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #109

I am a lifelong Democrat and have always voted Democratic...but when I came to Ohio ... Demsrule86 Jan 2018 #40

Thanks, you understood that even though he was antichoice, by being a democrat he really isnt Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #46

That is exactly it...having a majority is important...winning is everything. I would vote for a Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #110

I was a registered republican in high school Puzzledtraveller Jan 2018 #44

Yes, I have voted down ballot since I turned 18 in 1980 BigmanPigman Jan 2018 #45

Thanks. If every NON con voted and voted for a democrat, GOP would never have power again. Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #48

I will admit to voting for one R mcar Jan 2018 #49

Yeah, makes sense. I wish I could get a billionaire to go on natl tv and the internet Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #50

Given the current situation, mcar Jan 2018 #71

Yes I have been because any Democrat is better than the vile gopiscrap Jan 2018 #51

And even if a given democrat wasnt better for some reason, said SEAT is what is important Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #52

yup I agree with gopiscrap Jan 2018 #61

Even if they werent adhering to it if the alternative is not voting or voting 3rd party Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #63

It's why I'm here on DEMOCRATIC underground. (nt) ehrnst Jan 2018 #53

Gee, right, you would think that is why EVERYBODY is here but aint so Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #54

Odd you cite Manchin because I've been wondering why he is a Democrat. Vinca Jan 2018 #55

Do you understand why Manchin is VITAL to YOUR/MY survival? Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #56

Not really. He votes with the Republicans a whole lot of the time. Explain it to me. Vinca Jan 2018 #65

Because the party with ONE more seat than the other party decides EVERYTHING Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #69

I realize one seat makes the difference,but if the one seat votes with the other side there is no Vinca Jan 2018 #70

NOt in WV, a liberal democract CANT win there, Manchin wins because moderate cons vote for Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #89

Of course there's a difference mcar Jan 2018 #94

So you're saying we shouldn't try? Jeez . . . no wonder people view Dems as wimps. Vinca Feb 2018 #106

that is not how this work. drray23 Jan 2018 #95

You can have a majority of Dems, but if one consistently votes with the other side - Vinca Feb 2018 #107

That's a huge assumption based on a narrative that progressives can't win in these places. JCanete Jan 2018 #66

The crappiest dem is better than the "most left of center" republican. The_Casual_Observer Jan 2018 #58

Exactly. James Cargas 2018!!! Amimnoch Jan 2018 #64

Perfect illustration of what my MATH conversation is really about, thanks Eliot Rosewater Jan 2018 #67

I have voted Independent twice. Tatiana Jan 2018 #68

I sure hope Manchin keeps his seat. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #111

voted local republican, democrat all else Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2018 #72

Almost life long MrsMatt Jan 2018 #73

That's kinda my situation. I live in a Western Wisconsin district Still In Wisconsin Jan 2018 #76

I live in a write-off rock-solid Republican district gerrymandered by Democrats in my state. My PatrickforO Jan 2018 #77

Anyone who is pushing confusion about Democrats or apathy or any other R B Garr Jan 2018 #78

I voted for one Republican my entire life dsc Jan 2018 #80

Same here Zorro Jan 2018 #90

Everyone's Job: Vote for Most Liberal Person on Your Ballot. Beartracks Jan 2018 #83

I have to admit, and hang my head in shame, back in 1968 (my first election) I voted for Nixon. George II Jan 2018 #88

Yes. My father and mother lived through the Depression. They were stanch Dems. He always said, Lint Head Jan 2018 #96

I Voted For A Repub Down Ballot Once JimGinPA Jan 2018 #100

I skip nonpartisan races if it is two Republicans Awsi Dooger Feb 2018 #102

Since I became a citizen Meowmee Feb 2018 #103

This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Feb 2018 #104

I am a lifelong Democrat MountCleaners Feb 2018 #105

I did not vote for Jim Justice in 2016. a la izquierda Feb 2018 #108

Then you get a GOP who is 100% anti-woman's rights. Sorry but voting like that is why we have no Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #112

And by not voting for ANY democrat you give the republican partry the power to outlaw abortion Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #115

I have a PhD. Pretty sure I get it. a la izquierda Feb 2018 #128

No, I'm not in lockstep with anyone. alarimer Feb 2018 #113

"But what about my personal priiiiide?" "But I want my vote to count for something!" NurseJackie Feb 2018 #114

Grandpa told me ploppy Feb 2018 #116

k and r............great post, ....... THANK YOU !!!! Stuart G Feb 2018 #117

No, thank you. From now on my comment to appeal to folks is this: Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #118

Control of the Senate would be terrifc outcome of the next election.. Stuart G Feb 2018 #119

Not Bernie, Neither Clinton, Not Obama, Not Booker, Not Harris, Not Kennedy...... BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #120

Reminds me of... Baconator Feb 2018 #121

It is really very simple...Think of it this way please. Stuart G Feb 2018 #123

And there could NEVER be a LAW or BILL to attack healthcare or rights, anybody's rights Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #124

Again, I say all of this is fine and I agree....EXCEPT.... vi5 Feb 2018 #127

People should vote for and support the candidate they actually support oberliner Feb 2018 #129

Non-conservative republicans (no quotes needed) have been known to switch parties. George II Feb 2018 #131