Most of my republican friends are really democrats and don't know it.

[tavernier]

It's like Voldemort put a Confundus spell on them!

We have had thousands of conversations having nothing to do with politics. In the course of these conversations I've learned that they all believe in science; they all think that the earth and its inhabitants have evolved through the ages; they all agree that the earth is warming and "those poor polar bears" will soon be extinct; they all would respect a fellow neighbor's decision to end a pregnancy if her life was threatened; they all live fully or partially on social security which they all (rightly) feel they have earned.

In my opinion that makes them democrats. But come election time... "Oh no, I've always voted republican. All my family have."



Where is Dumbledore when you need him??

[codjh9]

1. Yes, at least SOME of the time, they're for things that their party is against - and that happens

because they don't read enough about their own party's crap!

[Scuba]

2. I know someone exactly like this. She's a Democrat in all her personal beliefs but a minor ...

... functionary in the Republican Party, because her social life is centered around other Republicans.

[sally5050]

3. Family ties..

or really the flow of money "or perceived safety or financial security"

is the only thing I see why so many of my married friends vote republican, to keep from pissing off their husband or feeling like he'll stop bringing home the paycheck even though they also work, they need that 2nd income, so they'll stay with an abusive republican husband so their kids can play soccer, go to private schools, live in a big house etc.

bottom line, greed is what keeps them coming back to the GOP in the voting booth even though Romney put the lack of values in their platform on display and many don't want to admit that they don't have those values anymore.. (or else look like fools and liars the previous years they voted GOP). it's sorta like "I'd rather not admit I"m wrong, I'd rather keep being wrong" argument is all I can

[gravity]

4. I've noticed that lots of Republicans agree with Obama but don't know it.

If you are able frame the issues without getting in to partisan Democrat Republican terms, they will support many of the Democratic ideas. They hate Obamacare, but when talking about the individual ideas of ACA, they agree with almost everything.

I think these people view the Republican candidates as more moderate than their Tea Party voting record indicates.

Finding ways to expose the extreme right for who they really are will switch these voters to the Democrats side. Just look at Akin and Mourdock as an example.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. They are the last of the moderate wing. We used to have so many of them here in Maine. Now I can

see the effect of the Teapublicans and polical Evangelicals all around me. (Not that Obama is going to lose Maine. Just that FAUX and certain churches have taken their toll.)

[LeftinOH]

6. I know some people like that:

Totally OK with gay marriage and think gay rights are important; are pro-choice; have little use for religious fundamentalists, etc, etc. But they consider themselves Republicans and vote thusly. I don't get it.

[Javaman]

7. I have several friends and work friends like that...

virtually completely liberal down the line but completely afraid of voting "outside the box" as if they will be "smited" from above.

It's really weird.