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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy Mother Hasn't Changed, But Her Party Has
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One of the more special memories I have of my parents discussing politics was the 2004 presidential election. While my dad had voted for Al Gore, and my mom, George W. Bush during the 2000 election, when it came to 2004 they were both undecided. They wanted what was best for America, and talked until they both agreed: they would vote for George W. Bush. In no intended disrespect to Senator Kerry, they felt that it was not prudent to let take the reins from the current president, George W. Bush. In this instance, my mom won the argument.
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My mom is a lifelong republican. And, Mom has abandoned the Republican party because, in her words, she no longer feels welcome. She's attended campaign events for Claire McCaskill, has been canvassing for her, and got both a Claire McCaskill and Barack Obama bumper sticker. She called me last week to tell me that she turned the Republican National Convention off the television in disgust. "It's just not right...or maybe it's too right." It killed her -- she had always looked forward to watching her party energize the country. She watched the entirety of the Democratic National Convention, and despite disagreeing at points, and recalling a distaste for President Clinton surrounding infidelity to Hillary, she resoundingly was roused by the hope the convention inspired in her.
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My parents' story is the quintessential American story. Love of God, country, and family guide their every step, and has brought them success, happiness, and fulfillment that can't be measured in dollar signs. I'd love to say that my mom has transformed to view things like my dad and I do. But, we still disagree on things. We still love other people, treat them well, and hope for a better America each day. She hasn't changed, but the party she loved has. My mom isn't liberal, she's just hurt. Hurt by the party she loyally supported all these years. And if she tells me that she no longer feels welcome by Republicans... it makes me wonder who does feel welcome by the Grand Old Party? It makes me ask, is if feeling welcome by Republicans is a good thing to feel?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pj-mintner/my-mother-hasnt-changed-b_b_1865988.html
Pretty good read
Tarheel_Dem
(31,245 posts)SunsetDreams
(8,571 posts)I was trying to be agreeable without being disagreeable
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)the Nixon party many grew up with, it's not even the Reagan party, it's morphed into an entirely new species, they really need to change the name to something else.
SunsetDreams
(8,571 posts)that party has changed so much! I live in Oklahoma and have heard stories like that from reasonable Republicans, and I'm always amazed at it. These are people who have been stuck like glue to the party for years, and have had an awakening that while they are not completely comfortable with it, it is what it is. I'm not 100% sure what will happen in the ballot box with them, but there is some huge disappointment out here. I also know there is not enough disappointment to turn Oklahoma purple or anything, but I'm surprised there are that many people who seem to be waking up about the turn their party has taken.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)SunsetDreams
(8,571 posts)RKP5637
(67,112 posts)Hamlette
(15,412 posts)Everyone in my family is a dem. At one time my Dad was a republican. He didn't support the war in Vietnam but he was in the Air force reserves all my life and his civilian job was military connected (he made the submarines which carried nukes).
someone in the Reagan admin started talking about limited nuclear war. My dad thought the very idea was reckless. He went into a funk, probably a depression, got prostate cancer (thankfully "cured" quickly and easily) and came out the other side a Democrat. And not just any democrat. He put us all the shame. He studied everything, supported all dems, argued against all republicans and was a radical when he died at age 79.
I think that's why I'm so fascinated by Andrew Sullivan and John Cole who were both pretty rabid republicans but switched. It's almost like changing religion. I can't imagine changing parties.
SpartanDem
(4,533 posts)I'm working on congressional race in MI, canvassing one day I met a woman in her late 50's life long Republican, voted for McCain in 2008, but was voting for Obama this time. Her husband, worked for Chrysler she said if the GOP had their way they'd be out on the street. She mentioned that she recently had gotten into MSNBC, and Rachel Maddow in particular and regreted buying Fox News' BS for so many years. Hell, she not only wanted to vote for Obama(and my candidate as well) she wanted info on she could help Obama with phone calls, etc. To hear her talk, it really was like she had a religious conversion.
Confusious
(8,317 posts)Could have saved us all a lot of pain.
I probably shouldn't be disagreeable, but I can't help it.
Skittles
(153,226 posts)it kills me, all those folk SOOOO disturbed by "Clinton's infidelity" yet they gave a pass to that bastard bush for starting wars based on LIES
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)Conservative, R voter until 2004. Ex military, civil service. But now it's like the fog has lifted. She watches MSNBC --loves the Ed Show and watches the others--Rachel, Tweety, O'Donnell (Even Hayes on Sunday). She gets it! I never expected such enlightenment.
If Obama wins, I think the refreshing straight-talking honesty and folksy demeanor of Ed Schultz (Bill Clinton appeal) will deserve some of the credit. His show is helping to provide an antidote to Fox for my MIL's demographic. Thank God. Now she's all about Obama, almost obsessed, doing the vigil for him and "Mrs. Obama," who she also admires a lot. She tells her friends to vote for him, and will even tangle with some of her Repub relatives, tho she's a sweetheart and not abrasive. She just says stuff like..."you know that Obama's for the middle class." (like, duh)
The R party has left my MIL too.