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Home › Politics

Poll | 04/29/2009 11:00 pm

Have you ever switched political parties?

Arlen Specter recently moved from the Republican to Democratic ticket. Have you ever switched parties?

Read more about: Arlen Specter, Democratic Party, Politics, Republican Party

88 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Elizabeth Bennett
I have never switched party registration, but I have occasionally voted for a candidate from a different party if she was the better candidate!
By Elizabeth Bennett on 04/30/2009 12:18 am
Maizie James
I’ve a member of several Ralph Nader organizations and/or umbrella groups.  And I was longstanding member and supporter of GREENPEACE.  I continue to have very strong stances on topics related to environmental issues.  And, I considered switching to the Green Party in the late nineties because of my strong convictions.  Yet, I’ve always been a registered Independent, then I realized that as an Independent I could continue to vote on ‘green’ issues without making a switch.
By Maizie James on 04/30/2009 12:31 am
Frannie Em
Was a democrat and became an Independent.  I don’t know if I would fit into either party today, they both have too many inconsistencies and biases.
By Frannie Em on 04/30/2009 12:37 am
Deena B.

Ah, a kindred spirit at last!  I have voted for Ralph Nader the last several elections.  I have so much respect for this man. 

By Deena B. on 04/30/2009 8:28 am
Elizabeth Bennett
I like and admire him too, but I could never see him running the government.  He was running more to have a podium than run the government.  And since I prefer practical politics, I voted for the other guy, the one Nader probably would have voted for if he were not running himself.  
By Elizabeth Bennett on 04/30/2009 2:22 pm
Deena B.
Elizabeth, I knew he did not have a prayer of winning.  So I was not being practical in that sense.  But I have just become so disenchanted with both parties.  I have been told many times that I was wasting my vote.  I don’t see it that way.  I was sending a message to the other two parties by voting for Nader.  And I’m not so sure he wouldn’t be a good president.  He accomplished an awful lot in his time that many once thought impossible.  And he did it by working within the system.  He is smart and he is not easily deterred.  I wish we had more like him.
By Deena B. on 04/30/2009 3:25 pm
Elizabeth Bennett
The way I see it, if Nader actually had a prayer of winning, he would not have run.  He was running in order to make the point that the existing two parties are not the whole story.  A good point.  Still, everything I know about Ralph Nader tells me he would be miserable actually living in the White House and having cabinet meetings.  I think he would get a kick out of writing executive orders and appointing judges, but most of the practical politics would make him miserable. 
By Elizabeth Bennett on 04/30/2009 10:51 pm
Deena B.

I would probably have to agree with you there!  Let’s just say I voted for him for much the same reason that he ran in the first place.  He is just a personal hero of mine.

But I support our President because that is who the people elected.  That is how it works here and one has to respect that.  I would have done the same had the people elected McCain.  To wish failure upon whoever our President happens to be at any given time is to wish failure upon our country.  And that would just be foolish.

By Deena B. on 05/01/2009 7:42 am
Suzanne de Cornelia
Not just no, but H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks-NO. Too much of a values gulf.
By Suzanne de Cornelia on 04/30/2009 12:40 am
Bonnie Oliver

I’ve written it here before.  I was in Berkeley in the late 1960s and throughout most the 1970s….(If I walk down to the corner and then about a half mile I can still see the Campanile Tower on campus.)   I was then a Democrat.  Very soon I became a Republican and never looked back.

I do lean more Libertarian that Republican … but I want my vote in the California Primary to matter.

By Bonnie Oliver on 04/30/2009 12:58 am
Laura Ward
I switch all the time. I never go by the party. I go for the candidate.
By Laura Ward on 04/30/2009 1:35 am
Andrea Brandon
Started off as a Democrat in college in the late 60’s. Years later I would switch to the Republican Party. Left that behind. Now I’m so thoroughly disgusted with political parties and the different state-by-state Primary election processes that I would like all Parties to become obsolete.
By Andrea Brandon on 04/30/2009 3:22 am
canuck canuck

I supported Clinton and really liked Hillary. I voted Democrat the first time Bush ran and voted for him the second time. After 911 I pulled my head out of my aster and realized there were some really evil people in this world and the only thing they lived for was to see Americans and America die. I want a safer America for my children and grandchildren and I want our country to stay the strongest in the world.

By canuck canuck on 04/30/2009 4:50 am
Dee T
I started out Republican duirng my college years but by my 30’s, I began to notice a more progressive approach by the Democrats while Republicans remained more stagnant- switiched parties and have never regretted my decision. Democrats remain a more visionary party with progressive views on issues. When it comes to presidential candidates, I will vote for the person I feel will best serve this country. I voted for Reagan, voted for GB, and GWB the first term.
By Dee T on 04/30/2009 5:10 am
Diana T
That’s exactly what I did Dee.  Although, I never voted for either Bush, and only voted for Reagan once.  Back then, suddenly, the Republicans started making issues out of personal matters that were none of their business; i.e. choice, Christian Coalition, in addition to the fact that they set back the Womens’ Movements by years.  Simply put,  I think Dems are more willing to be realistic about the future.  I’ve never regretted it, and I’m proud to call myself a Democrat..
By Diana T on 04/30/2009 10:02 am
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