How many people here on DU were once rethugs/conservatives?

[DefenseLawyer]

59. I grew up in rural Indiana, where most people were Republicans

My mother's family were all Republicans, but I'm talking old time Wendell Willke presbyterian Republicans. My father was more populist, but he was a business man/ farmer and was far more utilitarian (and cynical) when it came to politics and usually judged politicians based on what he thought they could do for him. So I grew up sort of marginally self identified as a republican, but once I got old enough to actually pay attention I've always taken the liberal side of things. That's just what always made sense to me. I attribute that to two things: 1. I'm not a sociopath and 2. Alan Alda. M*A*S*H was my favorite show growing up in the 70's so I grew up wanting to be Hawkeye, a guy who hated war and prejudice and challenged authority and drank too much. I generally succeeded.