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Still In Wisconsin

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76. That's kinda my situation. I live in a Western Wisconsin district

Reply to Eliot Rosewater (Original post)

Wed Jan 31, 2018, 09:17 PM

Jan 2018

that contains a mix of a couple smallish cities and a lot of rural/agriculturally oriented areas that are somewhat economically depressed in between them. Maybe, this area is not so unlike parts of West Virginia as one might expect. Anyway, the district elected the same Republican for 18 years straight, ending in 1998 when Ron Kind (D) won the seat, and has held it ever since. Kind would definitely be classified as a "blue dog" or conservative Democrat, and I disagree with him often. But, people here like him. He's a square-jawed former star quarterback of one of the local high school football teams, holds an annual corn roast at the County Fairgrounds, is often spotted during recesses around town at a diner, or bowling alley, etc. etc... he definitely passes the "I'd have a beer with that guy" test but he's no liberal. However, I'd rather have Kind IN office, giving the Democrats a seat, than a true liberal who would more closely align with my views but would likely have lost by now, if in fact they had ever been elected.

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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