TESTIFY! When did YOU become a Republican?

Free Republic ^ | 12/11/07 | Self

[gridlock]

I was a born-and-bred Democrat, from a long line of Democrats. My mother sent me past the poll watchers to hand out fliers for Hubert H. Humphrey in the polling place when I was only five years old. I went door-to-door for Steny Hoyer, back when he was in the Maryland State Senate. I had been a Democrat operative, quite literally, all my life.

That all came to an end in June of 1992. I saw the rise of Bill Clinton, and was prepared to support him for President. I was somewhat uneasy, because he was clearly a smarmy operator and liar, but I thought that since he was in the same party, he was the best choice.

Then came the Sista Souljah speech. I remember thinking about how this was a transparent play for the centrist vote, and how nobody had ever heard of Sistah Souljah before, and that Bill Clinton was just abusing this woman to score political points. I expected to see a reaction in the press and editorial pages chiding Clinton for being so shallow and manipulative. Instead, I remember seeing opinion pieces about his brave stand against the NAACP and how wonderfully tough he was. Even after a week, people were only criticizing him in the context of how, although it was a shallow and cynical racial sell-out, it was a subtle master stroke of political genius.

At that point, I realized that there was no substance behind Bill Clinton, and that he would say anything to be elected. I further realized that the newspapers, editorial writers, and television commentators knew full well that this was so, but were going to say or do anything to make sure he was elected anyway. It was a stunning revelation to me, because I had been blindly believing such people all my life. I started to critically evaluate the candidates, began dismissing much of what I saw on TV or read in the newspapers, and wound up pulling the Republican lever for President George H. W. Bush that November, the first time I had voted for a Republican in my whole life.

And I never looked back.

[TexasNative2000]

I've never become a Republican.

Thanks to my parents and a good education, I have been a conservative since birth.

[angcat]

I was born a Republican.

[Doogle]

after my discharge, the time line was significant.

[theDentist]

I too, was born a Republican.

And in my last life, I died as one. So there!

[IrishMike]

I was a born-and-bred Democrat, from a long line of Democrats... (to borrow a line from you)
My father a Korean war veteran, a NYC union carpenter, my mother a union NYC school teacher.
I joined the USAF 1982, listened to Ronald the gipper.
.
.
.
The END.

[PeteB570]

:-)

Since I was born.

[gridlock]

You both have the benefit of a lucky birth. I had to come to it later in life. But we’re all together now.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

What an inspiring story. God bless you.

FWIW, looking back I became a Republican in the early 50s during the McCarthy hearings.

At that time, Stalin was in power and even a teenager could understand that Communism was ruthless. I despised Stalin and Communism even then. Anyone who hated Communism had to be ok in my book. Thank you, McCarthy, you made me a Republican then. I've only ever voted for one Democrat in my entire life and that was for a county supervisor that I knew.

Now, I almost wish I had that vote back. Forgive me, Lord.

[napscoordinator]

In 6th grade, I was a Ronald Reagan supporter until a girl I liked was supporting Jimmy Carter. I flip flopped and redid my campaign poster to support Jimmy Carter so the girl would like me. lol. However after that I never supported a democrat again. Oh BTW, the girl that I liked that supported Jimmy Carter is now Republican and votes that way as do I.

[ConorMacNessa]

In time to vote for Nixon in ‘72.

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

My Father was a member of the John Birch Society, and my Heavenly Father is a member of the Eternal Life through Christ Society. You can reach your own conclusions on how I got here.

[Slapshot68]

I became a Republican during college. I worked my way through school, had no financial assistance and graduated on my own blood, sweat and tears. It irked me when I saw other people who partied their way through school on either my dime (tax funded college assistance programs) or their parents’. Most of the people I know who partied their way through school still cry and whine about how hard working is.

I saw that’s pretty much how the Dems operate and I wanted nothing to do with it.

[CholeraJoe]

I liked Ike as I sat on the living room floor watching the 1952 convention on a B&W tv with a round picture tube.

[Fairview]

Bred, born, and raised. Taking part in political campaigns since I was a child.

[JoanVarga]

When Jimmah Cahtah gave away the Panama Canal. I was pretty young then, but awake enough to understand the consequences.

-Joan

[gridlock]

after my discharge, the time line was significant.

So, you are saying that George McGovern was not your cup of tea?

I can uderstand that! I remember hanging door knockers in the 100 degree heat for George McGovern in the Maryland primary of 1972. I didn't particularly like the man that day, either.

[bmwcyle]

Never, I'm a Christian Conservative. I have a spine and don't compromise with liberals and communists.

[gridlock]

I joined the USAF 1982, listened to Ronald the gipper.

I am ashamed to say I never appreciated Ronald Reagan when he was President. I was out there carrying signs and marching against him, back in my mis-spent youth.

I hope I am making up for that now.

[andyandval]

Although the NYS Conservative Party (in Warren County anyway) is embarrassingly inept, I've been a member since I first registered to vote.

Never been a repub.