32 years ago today. My last vote for a republican

[BOSSHOG]

I did vote for Gerald Ford on November 2nd, 1976 at the age of 22. I thought Mr Ford was an honorable man. I remember standing in a very long line in Northwest Arkansas on a cold, but not uncomfortable Autumn evening. Scum took over the gop in 80 and have controlled it ever since. I've not gotten stupider, ergo I've not reverted to voting for republicans. Go Team, VOTE BIG (D)!!!!

[Buzz Clik]

1. Interesting. I voted for Carter that year. But I strayed and voted for Reagan in 1980.

I am so ashamed.

[liberalmuse]

2. Gerald Ford was not a bad guy.

As a teen, I knew Reagan would win, but also saw how he fucked up American and reversed the course Carter had us on (re: conserving energy and being responsible world citizens). I also saw the greed in the '80's and was disgusted. I'm so glad I did not know then what I know now, or I would have never survived it. I was apolitical, but know that many people here on DU suffered under Reagan. I also know that my best friend's mom used to burst into tears anytime Reagan was on the tv because he was so heinous. Ignorance was bliss for me, but I wish I had suffered, if it meant starting to fight against this shit in the '80's instead of waiting until the Clinton impeachment to start becoming politically active.

[GalleryGod]

14. Ford? Bullshit! He had his own "Joe" ! Joe Garagiola! The Jerry & Joe Show the last 7 days!

Fittingly, Garagiola, who was on the Today Show and a national sportscaster, saw his career never recover from the intrusion into the 1976 campaign!:nopity: :nopity: :nuke:

[morillon]

15. I always used to cry on election nights in the 80s.

I just couldn't understand how people could be so wrongheaded and not see how BAD these people were for the country.

[BeatleBoot]

3. I was in 6th grade working a poll for Jimmy Carter

Passing out these really cool 3D buttons.

If you looked at it from one angle it had a picture of Jimmy Carter smiling with those chompers of his, then if you moved it another way, it said something to the effect of "Jimmy Carter for President"

That poll was my elementary school and my Dad okayed it with everyone ahead of time.

I stepped on a lot of ants and handed out those buttons - a 13 hour shift.

Whoosh!

[PA Democrat]

4. I voted for the late John Heinz, Theresa Heinz Kerry's first husband.

Senator Heinz was a moderate Republican who fought for fair trade that protected the US steel industry against dumping, he supported environmental protection, he was a strong advocate for the elderly and was a decent and honest man. He would probably be kicked out of today's Republican Party.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. John Heinz would be a Democrat if he were alive today

[undeterred]

5. Me too.

I was 20 and in college. As soon as I got back to the house one of my well informed sisters told me a bunch of good things about Jimmy Carter and I was glad he won. My first vote for a Republican was my last.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. Ford was a decent guy, advised by a lot of scumbags, but a decent guy

I don't know how his presidency would've shaped up had he been in office longer, but his brief term was alright for a Republican. I think the fact that he didn't want to be President in the first place has a lot to do with it.

[underpants]

8. Welcome brother

[Blue_In_AK]

9. I voted for him, too, Bosshog.

I did vote for Carter in '80, though. :(

[amb123]

10. I've never voted for a Republican Presidential Candidate

since I became old enough to vote in 1980. I'm very proud of that! I did vote for John Anderson in 1980 (remember him?) but ever since then, all Dems.

[yellowdogintexas]

20. Me neither. First Presidential vote in 1968 for Hubert Humphrey.

Then McGovern, Carter, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton x 2, Gore, Kerry.

And on Tuesday: Obama!

[Katha]

11. My dad voted for Ford in '76 as well.

Only Republican he's ever voted for.

[book_worm]

12. I was 12 and a Carter supporter.

[codjh9]

13. Good for you, man. I honestly can't say I really knew what I was doing at that age (mostly

just voted the way my parents (liberals) did, but I've never voted for a Repub.

[demosincebirth]

16. Been a union man all of my life and never have I voted for a republican.

Cast my first vote for Kennedy.

[Pab Sungenis]

17. First Presidential vote for Dukakis

but worked for Mondale in High School. Never considered voting for anyone the Republicans have thrown at us since.

Ironically, I grew up in a Republican household, and in school elections in grade school voted for Ford and for Anderson.

[ruggerson]

18. Ford was the only Republican I ever supported

[yardwork]

19. I remember supporting Ford in 1976. I was too young to vote, but this guy I liked was a Republican.

Fortunately, I got better. That guy and I both grew up to be gay, and neither of us would dream of voting Republican today. Funny how things turn out.

I do miss the 1970s. A kinder, gentler age in so many ways.