Everyone: When did you first register as a Democrat?

[edzontar]

I registered in 1971 or 1972.

I was eighteen and voted for McGovern in the 1972 election.

It is the proudest vote of my life.

McGovern carried my state, Massachusetts, which became the only state in the nation that could claim, in the face of Watergate, "Don't blame Me."

The biggest problem I have with General Clark is that he voted for the monstrous Republican Richard Nixon that year.

And then went on to support the even more reactionary Reagan and his despicable sidekick, Bush the First.

So, tell me, when did you first register as a Dem, and how much do you think we should care--or not care--that so many people are flocking to a candidate who has only recently joined our party, and who voted, repeatedly, for some of the progressive movement's most detested enemies?

.

[indigo32]

1. I registered Dem and went to my Dem caucus at 18

in 1988

no comment on Clark

[edzontar]

4. Don't blame you....nice work by the way....

88 was a sad election, we should have won it, but that was then....hopefully this year will be better.

[indigo32]

23. yup

88 was depressing... but hey, watcha gonna do.
But I'm looking ahead to this year. At the moment I'm unbelievably ready to work my @ss off...so here's to 2004

[JohnKleeb]

2. When I turn 18 next year

:)

[edzontar]

7. Welcome!!!!

Dennis is a great guy.

Dean is my choice, but I like and admire Rep. Kucinich very much.

[JohnKleeb]

12. Hey thanks

[Cheswick2.0]

3. 1976

It was my first election and I voted for Carter not Ford. IMO Clark is an empty suit.

[edzontar]

9. Agreed on all counts.

Carter was and is a fine man.

I voted for him twice, and am proud of doing so.

Reagan was a monster, IMHO.

[janx]

5. About six months ago. Prior to that I was unaffiliated.

When Dean surfaced, I registered Dem.

[West Coast Democrat]

6. When I first registered to vote

after turning 18

...but that doesn't mean that Independents are inferior.

[edzontar]

14. Agreed--my dad was a lifelong Independent...

But it was a technicality...he voted Dem in every presidential election.

In Mass, where I grew up, there were some very good liberal Republicans--Eliott Richardson, Frank Sargent, etc.

Both he and I voted for them once or twice, way way back when.

[JohnKleeb]

21. New England republicans are generally better than the republicans down her

here*
not always though, I hear that former Senator Smith from NH was quite the conservative.

[edzontar]

28. Yeah--like Jeffords, and the gals from Maine...

Nowhere near as loathsome as the like of Delay, et al.

But hey. I live in PA, and we have Santorum, one of the very very worst.

[JohnKleeb]

35. oh yeah for sure

PA thats where my family is originalyl from. Rick is a jerk, a friend of mine was telling me that a friend of his who I dont know was kinda forced to intern for him when she took poli sci. I live near DC so the kids get to intern for actally politicans. I am taking the class next year as a senior, who will I intern for :shrug: dont know.

[edzontar]

42. This year, there is a wingnut running against Specter

In the GOP primary.

Thinks Arlen is too "liberal."

I really hate Specter, so I don't know who i hope wins the thing....if only BOTH of them could LOSE.

[AntiCoup2K4]

71. Root for the wingnut.

Because if he's really out there, and he beats Specter, then he'll have his ass handed to him by the Democratic candidate (if you have a decent one. Arlen Specter may be a moderate Repuke by today's standards, but I'll never forgive him for his part in the JFK coverup.

[SahaleArm]

18. No but implied purity test is why the party loses elections n/t

[edzontar]

22. No--I am just troubed by those earlier votes...

I would still vote for him aganst Bush, I am just put off by the idea of him voting for those guys back then.

Some of them were really bad people.

And to me, it still seems like yesterday.

[SahaleArm]

33. Hence the reason for the primary - Everyone gets a say in who they...

want representing them. Although many people here have compromised on who they support, they shouldn't. This a chance to not only see the nominee but the distribution of party ideals.

[edzontar]

43. Agreed, and it will be over reasonably soon

Thank the gods.

[bowens43]

47. It has NOTHING to do with purity.

It has to do with ideology. Clark until very, very recently apparently didn't agree with our parties ideals. The only history we have on the man shows us that he leans more to the right then to the left. Other then a uniform, Clark has nothing to offer. His 'policies' are unrealistic and unachievable with a Republican congress. They are smoke and mirrors. Clark makes no mention of how he will convince Republicans to abandon the policies they fought for for so long and adopt policies that they despise. Clark is a uniform full of sound bites, nothing more.

[Tim_in_HK]

91. I don't think that any candidate

has spelled out how they will achieve their goals with a Republican Congress. In fact, why would any of them? Dems are gonna take Congress . . . or so they all say. Same as the VP idea . . . which candidate would admit they would take the VP slot? None of them b/c it marks them as second-tier. Which candidate would say the Dems aren't gonna regain Congress? None of them, same reason.

If I'm incorrect, I'd love to see which candidate has done this.

[Hoosier Democrat]

8. In Indiana its a bit different

Here, you just register to vote when you turn 18 (as I did). Then, to get a party designation, you have to vote in a Primary election.

I have voted in every Democratic Primary since I was eligible back in 1986. Even when all candidates were unopposed!

[edzontar]

20. Good for you!!!

As they say in Boston, "Vote early and often!"

[SahaleArm]

10. No party registration in the state of Washington...

Though you get your name published upon attending the caucus.

[elperromagico]

11. I'm still not registered as a Dem. I'm registered as an independent.

In the state of Arkansas, I might add. I registered in 2000, when my views leaned more centrist, and have never bothered to change. I vote in Democratic primaries, however.

[edzontar]

30. Seems like that is common in Ark--is that true?

Someone sugegsted that is one reason why Clark was Independent for so long.

My guess, too, is that this is more common among military officers.

[elperromagico]

39. I can't speak for others, but I wouldn't doubt it.

Certainly military officers should maintain the impression that they're independent-minded. Unfortunately, most don't seem to.

[Bread and Roses]

93. There's also a thread

that has all the facts on registration and it shows Clark NEVER was a registered Repuke. He was an Independent, now a Democrat and was candid enough to tell us his stupid Repuke votes. I can't stand the idea that he voted for Nixon and Reagan, but I like what he says and I like his position papers and I trust in many people who have placed their trust in him (Mary Frances Berry, Michael Moore etc.).

[PROGRESSIVE1]

13. When I registered to Vote!

:dem:

[madrchsod]

15. 1968 -69

it seems along time ago....

[edzontar]

34. And we have another geezer!!!!!

I remember it well.

I was too young in 68, but worked for McCarthy and later, even for Humphery (hated Nixon, after all).

[Suziq]

53. Another geezer checking in . . .

I registered Democrat when I was 18 in 1970.

My dad was president of our local Democratic Club. I remember distributing campaign materials for Kennedy in 1960.

:hippie:

[edzontar]

61. Kennedy was the first Pres candidate I publicly "supported"...

On the playground at recess--I was seven!!!!

[CO Liberal]

16. As Soon As the Voting Age Went to 18

I voted for George McGovern in 1972.

[edzontar]

36. I still admire McGovern....

My first and best.

[phillybri]

17. Registered Dem at 18....1995

:dem:

[MGKrebs]

19. One doesn't have to register in Georgia,

so I've never technically "registered". I don't think there is even a way to do it.

The voter rolls show your party affiliation based on whatever ballot you selected in the last primary election (or at least if the software wasn't all screwed up that's what it would show). So I've been "affiliated" with the Dems ever since they started doing that. In December, I actually paid my dues and joined the Dem party, so that's as official as it gets here.

[sandnsea]

24. 1975

When I turned 18 and Carter was running for President. I first heard him on the radio when I was down in Mississippi and he promised he would never lie to the country. He sold me! Voted Democratic ever since.

[DinahMoeHum]

25. It was in 1984 - before then I was registered as an Independent. . .

and the reason I registered Dem was to vote in the Dem primary and volunteer for the former mayor in my hometown who was running for State Senator. The seat was up for grabs due to the long-time occupant (a Repuke) being forced to resign for ethics violations.

:kick:

[Sir_Shrek]

26. Registered independent

....

[Killarney]

27. In 1984...

every state in the nation except for MN went for Reagan instead of Mondale.

If the Democratic party only welcomed those who have always voted Democratic, we would never win again.

I think it's a bad idea for Democrats to bad-mouth people who voted for Reagan. It was 20 years ago, times change, people change. Nearly everyone voted for Reagan in 1984... we do not want to alienate these people as they are now Democrats. Why would you want to insult them and push them away rather than welcome them and... gasp... win the election against George Bush!

And, for the record, I registered independent at age 18 and automatically became a Democrat when I voted for Clinton in 92 (that's how my state does it).

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

44. "In December 1971"

just after my 18th birthday. I have voted for the Democrats in every primary and general election since then and I'm very proud of it. I also welcome anyone into our ranks who "have seen the light".

[_NorCal_D_]

29. Last year.

The very day I turned 18.

[edzontar]

40. Good for you!!!

I hope my Clark staements weren't too off-putting.

It is something I am trying to work through.

[abburdlen]

31. When I turned 18

In 1986. In primaries and GE I vote straight D ticket and will be proud to vote for Clark this year.
Personally given Clark's stand on the issues, I don't care when he joined the big tent party. As far as his past voting record Can't you accept that it takes some longer to see the light?

Side note is Zell Miller more of a democrat than Clark because he's been in the party longer?

[lovedems]

32. 1986, but I didn't vote until the 1988 presidential election. I was 18

and at that time I didn't have an interest in the local or state level. So, I didn't cast my first vote until I was 20. It was for Dukakis, btw.

[in_cog_ni_to]

37. 1974

I wasn't old enough to vote in 1972. However, I have a step son who Regisered as a Democrat....from Republican, just 2 years ago. It happens! Open your arms and welcome them!

[edzontar]

38. I will, of course, when it comes to it....

nt

[bowens43]

41. July 1976.

I think we should care. Until very recently Clark claims to have been an Independent. That means that he does NOT (or at least did not)believe in the ideology of our party enough to register as a member. We know that his beliefs do not lie to the left of the Democratic party so , as his only verifiable history testifies, they lie to the right. The net effect of a Clark presidency will be to shift the entire party further to the right dropping those on the left into the waiting arms of the Greens and the Socialists. Win or lose , a Clark candidacy will have a negative effect on our country and our party.

[edzontar]

45. I tend to agre with you...I would rather support someone who

Was there with me when it mattered, who has really committed to the core principles of the party: Civil rights, human rights, worker's rights, justice, and economic fairness.

I respect Clark's service to the country, and acknowledge his many talents.

But I just cannot put him before thse whose records on political matters are more in keeping with mine, at least not as a first choice for president.

[in_cog_ni_to]

50. Clark is more Liberal than Dean.

You're scenario just doesn't mesh. :shrug:

[edzontar]

55. I don't see it....or rather, I dont have enough to go on..

Dean is a mixture of centrist and progressive Dem.

Seems to me that Clark, in his present incarnation, is pretty much the same thing.

The only real lefty in the race is Kucinich.

[bowens43]

58. How do you KNOW that he's more liberal?

We have no evidence to support that other then his words and his words have changed drastically in the last couple of years. He has no history of being t a liberal , at least none that Ive seen. Those on the left edge of the Republican and right leaning independents may be swayed by his uniform and his bright shiny medals. His policies and words will be secondary. We will be bombarded with pictures of Clark prancing around like a conquering hero.

[goodhue]

46. 1988

When I went to vote for Dukakis while at college in Northfield, MN.

[dweller]

48. Same age, same year as you

and that was a while ago. i knew people that voted R then, and don't now.
I'll refrain on the comment about Clark.

AB*moron

dp

[dae]

49. When I registered to vote in 1971. Also lobbied for the 26th

amendment when I was 17, don't know what it is? Look it up!
:dem::)

[Mattforclark]

51. I have no idea whether I am registered as a dem now

It all depends on whether 1) my state had a check box to declare party affiliation, and whether 2) I did so. And it was just last year that I registered to vote, no less. I quite honestly do not remember every detail of what I filled out on all the forms I have filled out in my life...

How do you find out, call the county registrar?

[LizW]

64. Same here

I registered in 1975, and I don't remember if I had to declare a party affiliation or not.

When I vote (when there's a primary for both parties) the poll workers just ask which party, and then I sign in on the Democratic party log sheet and they give me the Democratic ballot.

I can't remember how it worked back when we used to vote on the old lever machines.

[morgan2]

52. About a month ago

to vote for DK in the primaries.

[YellowDawgDemocrat]

54. 1980

Actually, Texas is an open primary state so you don't register.
In 23 years, I have never voted for a Republican. Straight ticket for me. I have to admit, though, I've stayed home a few times.

[Snivi Yllom]

56. at college

a great liberal professor signed me up

[xray s]

57. 1992

I was born into a conservative Republican family. I voted for Reagan in '80 and '84 and Bush in '88. I thought the Soviet Union was a real threat to the US, and the Republicans took this more seriously than the Democrats. I was happy to see China slowly open up and the Wall come down. I thought we were going to now enter an era of peace and progress around the world. That soon changed.

In '90, I was appalled at Bush's reckless foreign policy in the Mideast that looked the other way, and probably gave tacit approval to, Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. I was appalled at the report on CNN that our troops would be facing weapons Hussein purchased from the US government in the 80's. I asked myself why we were arming a man our President now referred to as "worse that Hitler". I was appalled at the slaughter of 100,000's of Iraqi in that war to fix Bush's blunder. I was appalled as Bush stood by and allowed Hussein's helicopters slaughter Shiite's after encouraging them to rise up against Hussein. I looked into BCCI and listened to Rep. Henry Gonzales's pleas to investigate the dark corners of the Reagan/Bush government.

Other issues helped me along. I went to Canada and Scandinavia and realized all the stuff I heard about their horrible "socialized medicine" was bull. I help my elderly in-laws with their health insurance problems and realized it was the private sector insurance that was screwed up. The Medicare program was very well run.

And on and on and on.

I had a moment of cognitive dissonance. I changed. I like to think I grew intellectually. When my family asks me why I became a Democrat after being such a strong Republican, I say "I grew up".

So I voted Democratic in 1992 for the first time. I started out for Bob Kerrey, switched to Jerry Brown when Kerrey dropped out, and then volunteered for Bill Clinton in the general election. My name was mud at work when the Clinton office called my office one day. A secretary yelled out "Hey, the Clinton people want to talk to you". This was a very conservative office. I didn't care. :) A few other Democrats came up to me later and said they agreed with me. I don't work there anymore.

I am very active in the party now. I donate money. I want to win elections. I want us to take back the House and Senate. I am tired of the lies and hate spewed by the Right.

One of the reason Clark intrigues me is I think we may have been on the same journey. I think he may be the best one running this year. I think he can bring many new Democrats into the party. But, I will support whoever the nominee is. I will not give ammo to Karl Rove. We have to win this one.

So try to kick me out of the Democratic party because of my past voting history if you like, but I'll fight like a son of a bitch to stay in, because I think this party is our only hope of changing the direction of our country and creating a better future for ourselves and our children.

[jsw_81]

59. I can't register as a Democrat

Washington state law doesn't allow voters to register by party.

[Hoppin_Mad]

60. 1972 and voted for McGovern -nt-

[MoonRiver]

62. 2001 after the Selection.

I've always been Independent. I'll never abandon the Democratic Party now, as it is the only option for saving our country from fascism.

[OhioStateProgressive]

63. i never have

but i do vote Democrat alot

i also vote for NLP and Green Party, and am a registered member of the SPUSA

[MrSlayer]

65. Um, 1996 :ducks and covers:

I was registered Republican from 1988 when I was 18, simply because my Father was. I never paid much attention to politics and just voted who he asked me to because I believed his rhetoric. I switched because I am a Union Member and obviously the Republicans are notoriously anti-Union. In my late 20's I got a lot more involved in the issues and decided that I must be a democrat because republicans are everything I am not. Rich, racist, elitist scumbags who engage in nefarious actions for dubious reasons. Democrats stand for the common man, equal rights for all and mostly doing the right thing for the people and the world.

Since you asked, I support General Clark and welcome him with open arms.

[isbister]

66. 1979

When I turned 18. Began following politics before the '68 election

[Padraig18]

67. No partisan registration in my state (Illinois).

No straight-ticket voting, either. :shrug:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

68. 1965 but switched to Peace & Freedom in 1968 - Dem since.

As for Clark, I will be able to vote for him in the GE should he get the nomination. Can't say the same for Gephardt, Kerry, Lieberman or Edwards. Should any of them get it, I will vote Green and probably change my registration to them in disgust at the Dems.

[Mairead]

69. 1961

[AntiCoup2K4]

70. !984, when I turned 18

...and I sure as Hell didn't vote for Reagan! (Even though I knew he would probably win :( )

[molly]

72. Can't remember the exact year - probably late 60's

[Crunchy Frog]

73. I registered as a Democrat

as soon as I was eligible to register to vote. I cast my first vote in 1984 for Mondale, even though I was really hoping for Gary Hart to get the nomination.

It really doesn't bother my that Clark voted for Nixon and Reagan. He has explained why he did it to my satisfaction. I am not a purist when it comes to candidates, I care about where their stands and principles are right now.

If the Republicans had been such purists they never would have gotten Reagan, since he used to be a staunch FDR Democrat ( I realize that there are differences, but there are also similarities and I just wanted to point it out).

[Kal Belgarion]

74. Haven't yet...

But I do turn 18 this fall, and I'm registering Democratic as soon as I can. Can't wait to personally kick Bush out of the White House this November.

[Kahuna]

75. Lifelong Dem since 1972.

nt

[Thistle42]

76. I registered to vote in 1968...

and did not vote in the election after the horrible riots at the Democratic convention in Chicago and the death of Bobby Kennedy. As I Vietnam veteran I was angry with Johnson and should have voted for Hubert Humphrey but was too disallusioned with it all. I voted for the first time in 1972 for George McGovern.

It doesn't bother me that Clark voted for Nixon. Anyone can change his mind, especially after the way this administration has arrogantly lied and bullied their war and to Hell with anyone that disagrees with them.

I like most of the candidates, but I particularly like Clark. Many of my friends who were in the military and in Vietnam with me and have voted Republican in the past, are planning to vote for anyone but Bush! They are a great bunch of candidates and I am proud to be a Democrat!:kick:

[PAMod]

77. Literally the day I turned 18 in 1984...

at the height of Republicanism.

My friends lambasted me my entire first semester of college. It was brutal, especially after Mondale's drubbing.

It was rough (and is again sometimes) but I have never wavered.

[texasmom]

78. Don't register in Texas, so never...

I've voted for Democrats since my first election. The first presidential nominee I voted for was Mondale, but I've never registered as a Democrat. I just am one.

As for your other question, it doesn't bother me at all that Clark voted for Nixon and Reagan. I have family and friends who voted for them and regret those votes. These people are strong Democrats now, and that's what matters. All that matters is getting this administration out and getting Congress back. Nixon and Reagan are long gone. Bush is the enemy now.

People change. Clark's voted for both Democrats and Republicans over his adult life. It's a complete non-issue for me.

[Endangered Specie]

79. 2002

The girl handing them out was a Repo and she new my liberal ways, but she HAD to give one to everybody.

[jadesfire]

80. I think it was when I watched the Iran/Contra hearings in 5th grade...

So I've always been a dork...


I registered on my 18th Bday. Thought about switching to Dem-Social party but as a true Democratic Socialist, I believe that real change comes from within the establishment (barring revolution...) and so I remain, a Dem.

( :

[Walt Starr]

81. 1981 when I turned eighteen.

Voted Dem ever since.

[ramapo]

82. 1973

I was eighteen. Always a Dem though sometimes have voted for the fringe.

Sorry I missed being able to vote for McGovern. I have so much respect for him. A good man who would've been a great President. He made some campaign mistakes but was proven to be correct even though he fell victim to the Republican trash machine.

[QC]

83. Why look! It's a meeting of the Mayflower Democrats! How very!

Nixon and Reagan won by historic landslides, so it stands to reason that getting a majority against Bush means getting the votes of some people who have voted Republican in the past. I'm hoping that a lot of people who voted for Bush have learned their lesson and will come over to our side.

If we make a national issue out of the Purity Test, we can only alienate people whose support we need. There is no advantage to it at all.

FWIW, I registered as a Democrat when I was first able to vote, in 1984. Though I supported Hart in the primaries that year and Simon (then Gore) in 1988, things didn't go my way and I did what Democrats are supposed to do--sucked it up and stuck with the party, even though we nominated two absurd candidates who had no more chance of ever being president than Ethel Merman. That's why I have very little patience with "my candidate or nobody" sentiment.

[Jerseycoa]

84. 1968

I'm tired of the rest of your question, so please excuse me.

[Lefta Dissenter]

85. We don't register with a party affiliation in WI,

I carried literature for McGovern, my first vote was for Carter.

[Indy65]

86. I registered as Democrat

in 1960 at age 21 and voted for JFK in Pennsylvania.

[Kool Kitty]

87. In 1971. n/t

[IronLionZion]

88. After Bush started destroying the country and the world

I was registered Republican but was supporting Gore. I was only 17 in 2000 so I couldn't vote. He carried PA anyway so I didn't mind too much. I knew Bush would be bad but I never thought he would be this bad.

[IronLionZion]

89. and I had to be registered Republican

because that is what people were in my district. Otherwise you were labeled a commnist traitor. Somerset, PA is an extremely conservative Republican town. I don't know of any moderate Democrats in office and liberals get beat up.

If I could have voted, it would have been McCain in the Primary then probably Gore in the General election. ABB

[Piperay]

90. 1980...

When I first registered to vote in 1972 I registered as a rethug. I got fed up with the RWingers and in 1978 registered as Decline to State, two years later I KNEW I belonged in the Democratic Party and I officially became a Democrat. :bounce:

[drfemoe]

92. Never

Have never lived in a state that registers voters by Party.
Right to work, right to vote states. I did live in a "union town" once. I am strongly in favor of organized labor.

[Bread and Roses]

94. I registered as a Democrat as soon as I came of age

and took 6 years off being Green; I am once again a Democrat, but I think I'm a Farmer/Labor/Socialist at heart.

[SW FL Dem]

95. 1976 -I voted for Carter

I think we need to welcome anyone that shares our goal of getting Bush out of office. As a mother, I don't have the luxury of being an idealist or purist. I am definitely ABB, but my first choice is Clark.