Some Republicans Defect to Kerry's Camp

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Stewart, 44, an insurance agent from Anderson Township near Cincinnati, voted for Bush in 2000 and is a registered Republican.

"I just have a gut feeling that Kerry can be trusted to make the right courageous decisions and will make a good president. He showed that with his heroism in Vietnam," he says.
...
In Michigan, Dan Martin has run for local office as a Republican. He says his biggest disappointment is that Bush's reputation as a "compassionate, conservative" governor of Texas hasn't proven true in the White House.

"The foreign policy is a mess. The offensive in Iraq is reckless and built on bad decision making. On the domestic front I understand that terrorism has struck and he's occupied but any real progress on a domestic agenda has ground to a halt," added Martin, 32, a customer service manager at a health maintenance organization who lives in Rochester Hills.

In Tennessee, Brian Boland, a young music company manager shopping at a market near Nashville, said: "I've always voted Republican and my folks will just kill me if they find out I'm switching to Kerry this year ... but I am just frustrated with the way Bush has mishandled everything. All the untruths." His wife said she too was switching.....MORE.........

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=5831134&src=rss/ElectionCoverage§ion=news

[skypilot]

1. Exactly the kind of Republicans that are needed...

...to come forward and take back their party from the neocon nut jobs that have hijacked the Republican Party.

[mom cat]

2. Splash!!!!!!!!!...Splash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Splash!!!!!!!!!!!...

Oh! the sweet sound of the passengers deserting a sinking ship.
:toast: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce::toast:
..............................................:dem:

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

4. Splish! Splish! Splish!

That would be the sound of the rats following them!

[mom cat]

33. I doubt if * will jump in and rescue them, much less do CPR

:bounce: :bounce: :dem:

[sofa king]

39. I think the rats were actually first to go.

Edit: I for one welcome all disaffected Republicans, so long as they have a decent idea of what they're doing. First and foremost we have to run these criminals out of town. Only then will we know exactly how f*cked this country is and what sort of policy a Kerry presidency can afford to pursue.

But if they're jumping ship, my guess is they already have a pretty good guess about how screwed we are.

[City Lights]

3. The Kerry Republicans.

I like the sound of that.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. He's toast!

I expect this election to go about like the Iowa primary. Close right up until the last couple of days and then we'll see a big swing for Kerry. Like the guy from Tennessee said, "my folks will just kill me if they find out". People are just not ready to admit they are voting for Kerry. Some may say they are voting for Bush but are in reality sitting on the fence and waiting for Kerry's campaign to implode. If the implosion never happens we could see a last minute swing for Kerry.

[City Lights]

6. Then there are those

who voted for bush in 2000 but won't vote for either man this time. Fine by me. I'd prefer that they vote for Kerry, but if they want to sit at home, it's still less votes for shrub.

edited for typo

[Bandit]

56. I would almost rather they stay home

Then they won't be casting a vote for a Republican Congressman or Republican Senator. We need Congress as badly as we need the Presidency.

[Claire Beth]

12. I'm from Tennessee...

and work part-time at my friends hardware store. I hear constantly from people who are fed up with Bush. Several who voted for him 2000 are NOT voting for him this time. I always love to hear these stories. :kick:

[Ganja Ninja]

21. It's peer pressure that keeps them from coming out.

They're bombarded daily with the "must support Bush" message by the media, by friends, family and co-workers. They even get hit with it in church. But once they step into the voting booth a lot of them are going to vote Kerry.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

26. I'm hearing the same thing in Alabama...the tide is turning.

[yellowcanine]

17. His folks are probably staying home or voting for Kerry also - there will

be some Republicans who won't be able to admit to anybody - even a pollster - that they are not voting for Bush. Eatly on election night we will know how widespread this phenomenom. If North Carolina and Virginia go for Kerry as soon as the polls close it is all over but the shouting.

[Gloria]

55. Rahm Emanuel, on day one of the Convention, said that it would

be close but that the race would widen in the fall. I forget which CNN whore was interviewing him up in the box, but they were taken aback. But Rahm was clear...the race will open up.

Fingers crossed!

[grytpype]

7. And for every Repub who defects to Kerry...

... ten will just stay home on election day.

Kerry is in a position to win by a landslide.

Let's make it happen!

[fob]

8. Rochester Hills, MI?? If Kerry's drawing Oakland County repukes

he IS the man!

[frylock]

15. i was thinking the same thing..

isn't Rochester Hills somewhat affluent? I recall doing some work for some Ford execs who lived in RH.

[Carni]

20. Grew up there--tell me about it!

Rochester is a bastion of gas guzzling "I've arrived" types
(as is most of Oakland County)

They are really just middle/upper middle class for the most part in Rochester Hills but don't try and tell THEM that!

(They think they are bush's "have mores")

[NWHarkness]

28. A small dissent

Those of us in southern Oakland County, Ferndale, Oak Park and Southfield, vote overwhelmingly Democratic, as do our friends in Pontiac. We carried the county for Gore in 2000 and for Granholm in 2002.

[Carni]

29. Southern Oakland county here!

I'm one of those dissenters! :)

[NWHarkness]

30. Come join us!

We will be phonebanking, canvassing, etc. out of the Ferndale Dem office every Saturday at 11 AM. The office is at 918 W. Nine Mile in Ferndale (Across the street from Dairy Queen.)

[Carni]

51. I will try and do that!

I can't do it tomorrow but I will definitely try to do it the following Saturday! :)

[PassingFair]

52. Whoa!

I'm in St. Clair Shores, can I come too?

[Ganja Ninja]

31. I grew up in Oxford and worked for Pontiac Motors 13 years.

Happily living in Florida now and don't miss the snow and cold at all.

[Claire Beth]

35. welcome....

we are glad to have you. I used to be a republican but I changed parties when I finally took the time to listen to BOTH sides. The democrats just made more sense. Once I started doing research and playing closer attention, I discovered how the republicans distort the truth among MANY other things.

:kick:

[Carni]

53. The net has been GREAT for that!

IMO it has changed the face of politics.

Unfortunately sometimes I wish I DIDN'T KNOW most of what I have researched!

I think I was happier when I was uninformed!

[dmr]

57. That's very true, NWHarkness

I was just going to post the same thing.

Southeastern Oakland County is very Democratic. I grew up in Ferndale. Hazel Park, Madison Heights and a good part of Royal Oak are Democratic.

Cross over Dequindre into Warren in Macomb County and you have the same.

Historically, many of these citizens are or have been employed in the auto plants or other industry related jobs.

Little, old Ferndale, in fact, adopted a resolution against provisions in the US Patriot Act.

THEREFORE, the City of Ferndale joins over 215 U.S. Cities and governmental units in opposing terrorism and affirming that any efforts to end terrorism should not be waged at the expense of the fundamental civil liberties of the people of Ferndale, the United States and the world.

[PassingFair]

50. Tell me about it,

I'm a "salesbot" in Oakland County, riding around with a Dean sticker on my bumper. I call on a LOT of repuke business owners. They get a chuckle out of my Dean sticker. They are definitely starting to wake up, though. Bush's naked money grab has hurt them in their own pocketbooks. Those still fully behind the shrub are true beligerents. They would back any bully.

[shugah]

63. even in livingston county MI

i've actually seen more kerry yard signs than bush yard signs. not a lot, mind you, and i'm sure more signs will crop up after the local elections, but at this point, kerry has a slight edge in yard sign representation. i don't have any illusions that this right wing stronghold would actually "go dem," but i just want to go and ring the doorbell of every house with a kerry sign and give them a hug! ;-) voting for kerry is pretty goddamn progressive for folks in my neighborhood!

[number6]

9. Splish! Splash!!

..

[Politicub]

10. Welcome Kerry Republicans!

:hug:

We're glad that you're here and supporting Kerry's bid for the presidency!

:bounce:

[AspenRose]

11. Republicans for Kerry

www.republicansforkerry.org

(Conservatives for Kerry is under reconstruction)

I guess the smart ones are seeing the light....I'm still keeping them at arm's length, though.

[cthrumatrix]

13. People that can think.... can no longer trust AWOL

[ronatchig]

14. I believe

there will be a mass exodus from the Rethug camp in the next several weeks. All of the so called "Reagen Democrats" who have been suckered into supporting the extremist GOP leadership will be voting their pocketbook in November. After all how many people in this country have profited from the loss of 2.5 million jobs since 2000?,

How many have profited from the war in Iraq?,

how many have profited from having the reputation of America dragged through the horror of Abu Garib?.

How many have profited from the roll back of 50 years of environmental law?

How many have profited from giving the President and the AG the power to unilaterally hold any American or any one else for that matter without access to attorney or courts?

How many have profited from government of for and by corporations?

How many have profited from a health system designed to maximize profits for Insurance conglomerates by excluding as many sick people as possible?

How many have profited from deregulation of energy , communications and transportation?

Myself I am really elated that Bush has told us that "results matter".
It has taken the lying piece of shit almost four years to finally say something that is true. Results do matter pug boy. I think come November Bush will discover that the result of his mis leadership , fascist intent and out and out incompetence is going to deliver the worst defeat a sitting president has ever suffered.

[Hobarticus]

16. Any TRUE Republican will jump ship...

Dipsh*t neo-cons can go down with the ship. They have little in common with Republican and conservative principles.

[cprise]

25. Manifest Destiny, annexation of Mexico's land

...eugenics sterilization programs, going to war with Spain...

Yeah, the old-time conservatives are nothing like the new ones. :eyes:

[Eurobabe]

34. I agree, level headed Repubs I know

HATE Bu$h, I even have a friend who is very pro-life (she is unable to have children, it's a very emotional hot button for her) anyhow, she says there is no way Bu$h is sending her nephew off to war, and is voting for Kerry this time. (She didn't like Gore.) Kids stepmom also voted Bush in 2000, refuses to do so this time, even talks about Kerry with my kids. Good sign!

It is the NEOCONS who will go down with this floater...

[JohnnyRingo]

18. But but but....What about Zell Miller's "Democrats for Buxh" ??

Hahaha...Still waiting for that "member list" that he promised.

I feel like I'm riding a red white and blue boogie board on a democratic tsunami, sweeping up the flotsam that lies in our path.

And Buxh is a little town on the coast.
Bracing for the impact is pointless, evacuation is in order.

[leesa]

19. Too bad Dan Martin doesn't realize that Bush did exactly what he did

to Texas and then some. They never do their homework, they just swallow the pre-packaged BS.

[slinkerwink]

22. good news for us!

[AspenRose]

23. *laugh* "Hamsters for John Kerry"

I laughed so hard during that part of Alex's speech!

[slinkerwink]

27. same here too!

It's sort of like Ben Stiller trying to resuscitate the dog in "Something About Mary" ;-)

[sofa king]

43. Here's one for you, slinkerwink.

Sorry it's so bad, but I think you'll appreciate the sentiment.

[slinkerwink]

47. lol! my gerbil, Donkey, wouldn't have been a Bush supporter

;-)

[sofa king]

49. Heh. No offense to Donkey, of course.

Donkey the Gerbil probably doesn't have duct tape in his future, either.

[sablescort]

36. LOVE that sig line!

Hamsters for Kerry!

[truthisfreedom]

24. but what about the FEAR?

just wait until the FEAR grips you, people. the FEAR, the FEAR!

rethuglican manufactured FEAR~!

[goforit]

32. It takes a real man in everyone to admit Bush is the wrong man.

And this is STEP # 1!!!!

Welcome aboard!!!!!

[LiberalFighter]

37. "Compassionate, conservative"????

He says his biggest disappointment is that Bush's reputation as a "compassionate, conservative" governor of Texas hasn't proven true in the White House.

What the hell did he do in Texas that was so compassionate and conservative?

[SoCalDem]

41. The public was hoodwinked.. Texas legislature is a PART TIME JOB

They meet very rarely, and the governor's job is mostly a PR position.. The democrats in the Texas legislature are closer to moderate republican , than democrats..

When he proclaimed his compassion, and conservatism, he had no one opposing him, so of course they would agree.. They are paying now...and paying dearly for the policies he "enabled" back then..

He lied then...he lies now..

[wish_I_could_vote]

38. Can anyone tell me

Has anyone heard anywhere...in day to day life...on a message board...in a chat room...anywhere, of anyone who supported Gore in 2000 and will vote for Bush this time? These people have to be as rare as hens' teeth. I have not encountered one.

[lebkuchen]

40. Women voters are already convinced.

It's the white macho males Kerry was addressing. My brother has switched to Kerry, too.

[tabasco]

42. These people care more about their country ...

than blind loyalty to their fuhrer. Good for them. If a Democrat had run the country into the ground like Bush has, I would be voting against them too.

[Wednesdays]

44. My wife just got home and told me of a co-worker

who is a registered Republican told her today, "after watching Kerry last night, I'm voting Democratic for the first time!" The only problem was, she said, was she didn't know how she'd break the news to her father.

Well, she called her father, and it turns out he's going to vote for Kerry too!!!

[Zorra]

46. That made me smile. Thanks!

[Wednesdays]

45. My wife just got home and told me of a co-worker

who is a registered Republican told her today, "after watching Kerry last night, I'm voting Democratic for the first time!" The only problem was, she said, was she didn't know how she'd break the news to her father.

Well, she called her father, and it turns out he's going to vote for Kerry too!!!

:toast:

[blm]

76. HAHAHAHAHA...that's a great story.

.

[WillyT]

79. Absolutely A Great Story !!!

Thanks fer sharing it.

:yourock:

[barbaraann]

DemocratsforBush.com vs. RepublicansforKerry.org (alexa)

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?q=&url=democratsforbush.com
(red arrows DOWN)

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?q=&url=republicansforkerry.org
(green arrows UP)

Doesn't look good for little Georgie!

[barbaraann]

48. DemocratsforBush.com vs. RepublicansforKerry.org (alexa)

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?q=&url=democratsforbush.com
(red arrows DOWN)

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?q=&url=republicansforkerry.org
(green arrows UP)

Doesn't look good for little Georgie!

[Gloria]

54. My neighbor told me today two of her neighbors decided on Kerry

after seeing him speak...

One, a registered Republican, said that he thought he would "restore"
the country.

I get the feeling so many dislike Bush, but haven't been sure where else they could go.
Kerry's speech seems to have convinced these people that he is clearly an acceptable place to go....

[The Doctor.]

58. I am that Republican...

I liked Reagan well enough even though he drove the economy into the ground to collapse the USSR.
I couldn't stand G.H.W.Bush #41 and voted for Clinton.
Bob Dole wasn't such a bad guy either.
I did like McCain until just recently when he started cow-towing.

But this pathetic, ignorant, vindictive, arrogant piece of elitist frat-aholic HAS TO GO!


I'm Actively working on my fellow "Republicans" to convince them that these jack-asses are no more Republican than A.Lincoln was the Emporer of China. The Republican party used to be all about equality, self-determination, and speaking one's mind. Now you're unpatriotic if you're not in lock-step with these goons.

I think my parents will be the toughest ones to convince... but even they say that Limbaugh doesn't sound genuine anymore.

[donco6]

59. Welcome to the fold, Dr_eldritch

Glad you're here on DU. We can use your perspective - makes for fun discussions!

[ArmyWife0792]

61. Count us in too

My husband, who is currently starting his 7th month in the sands of Iraq and I are registered Republicans. Well, actually only he still is as I changed my registration to Independent a few months ago- something he will not be able to do until he comes home.
We will be voting for John Kerry in November, largely because of the stance I have always held on the war and the experiences he has had while in Iraq.
I hate this war, I always have, even before my husband (an Army reservist, btw) was given 18 month orders with the promise he will more than likely have to go back after a year at home. The blatant lies, the abuse of the military, the brutal treatment of the innocent Iraqi's, all of it makes me physically ill. Saddest of all, there is no easy answer and there is no easy way out. And the war is just the beginning of the duplicity I find him to be guilty of, with of course the war being foremost on my mind today.
So many people are coming to the same conclusion. We are in our early 30's, midwestern suburbanites, we have 3 children, and we grew up in extremely conservative households. But to quote my father, a devout Republican who also happens to be a lifetime member of the NRA, to show you his mindset "There is something about George W. Bush that makes me itch."

We are proud Americans, we are patriots, there is a long history of military service in my family dating back to the Revolution. The one thing we have realized that we are not... are Republicans.
While we do not consider ourselves to be Democrats at this time, I just wanted to let you know that there are numerous military members and families standing beside you in your fight to remove this man from the whitehouse.

[Rose Siding]

64. Great first post, ArmyWife

Good thoughts to your loved one, that he's home safe and soon.

My Republican dad is fast approaching your dad's conclusion. We're living in *interesting* times.

Welcome to DU :hi:

[I Lean Left]

66. Welcome to DU!!!!!!!!

Very sorry your husband is so far away. Let's hope he comes home safely and soon.

The tolls on families during this administration is unlike anything I can recall (since I don't really recall Viet Nam). Between the war, reservists and guards being called away, the economy, and the constant threat of terror hanging over us...

Let's hope better days are coming.

Again, welcome!

[glitch]

68. Your post brought tears to my eyes..

Welcome to DU! I hope your husband returns safe and soon.

[The Doctor.]

77. Hope you get a chance to read this....

Right now things are so crazy. If you read the original republican platforms you'll see how much the party was for equal rights and standing up for the little guy. That's what I believe in. If These "Republicans" respected the legacy they would be the ones on the side of allowing Gay Marriage! But now our Democratic brothers and sisters are taking up the fight for what our party once stood for. God bless them.
Although I may not agree with all of what Democrats stand for, there is no question that they are standing with us against a real threat in this country. If for no other reason - that's the one way B*sh has united us.
Don't give up on True and Honorable Republican Ideals... maybe we can take the party back and make it honorable again.
Or maybe I'll just become a Democrat with the wisps of what was an honorable spirit, and the light of what that spirit can become in a new skin...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

69. Good for you Dr. E. You've summed up the situation nicely.

Welcome to DU!

[Dr Fate]

74. I keep trying to tell people about good hearted Republicans...

Thanks for being one!

Welcome to our forum!!!

[sampsonblk]

60. Let's not gloat!

We know how crooked these GOPers are. Let's keep our shoulders to the wheel. If you know any Bush-addicts who might still be persuaded, get after them and bombard them with the true facts. We need all the converts we can get.

[Disturbed]

62. It could be Kerry/Edwards landslide.

Dems are more united than ever even though many aren't crazy about Kerry. Quite a few real Republicans are starting to see that the Neo Fascist are not Republicans at all. The deficit is the highest in US History. The Neo Fascists are failures on every front. It may be a route out for the Neo Fascists.

[sampsonblk]

71. To Quote Stonewall Jackson (in the heat of battle)...

"if you think so, sir, then you had best not say it."

I think you are right. But let's keep fighting like every inch depends on it. In the end, it just may. And I don't want to wake up in November facing four more years of this crap.

[squidbro]

65. Former repub. who has seen the light

I myself was once a republican. I will never vote for anyone in that party ever again. I was a McCain supporter and watched with intense disgust the smear campaign that was brought against him.

If the republican party accepted and condoned those practices, I would never support them again. I was so upset by the whole thing, I went and switched my party affiliation and voted for Gore who I maintain was illegally stripped of the Presidency. I am still extremely steamed over that whole fiasco. I really wanted to see him run again.

To see him rightfully take back what should have been his in the first place would have been poetic justice.

Perhaps he is better off serving in the board of directors of Apple computer.

Anyhow, I am not sure how I ever identified with that party. shrub's candidacy, nomination and leadership was what lead me to "see the light."

I never could stand Slade Gorton, our FORMER senator from Washington state, from the very beginning. So very happy to see him go. (I don't mean to yell when I capitalized former, but it feels good to use it when describing the man).

It will be good to see Nethercutt outed also. I wish I could say that my district is going to replace him with a Democrat, but it probably won't happen. Perhaps it could happen if enough disenfranchised repubs. stay home. With enough Democrats going to the voting booths, who knows what could happen.

As bad as shrub is, it is also quite important that the Dems. gain control of Congress. It would have been far less likely that shrub would have gotten away with all that he has had Congress been in Democratic hands.

As far as I am concerned, Kerry is a lock for the Presidency. Even the staunch republicans in my own family are sitting this one out or casting a protest vote for Nader. Kerry very well may win in a landslide. It is just as important to take back Congress and hopefully the process at the state and local levels are going well.

[I Lean Left]

67. Great post and great point

I think a case can be made for not having a single party control all the branches. I pick... the Whitehouse and the Senate. Please oh please!?!

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

70. Good News!

There needs to be more of these new "open-minded" republican types. I had no idea they existed! :P

[Robbien]

78. There are plenty of them

but it is so hard for them to see past the media screen. Many of them still think Republican means what it did back when they joined the party. No one is telling them any different and the convention is being loaded with "moderate" Republicans to keep these old time Republicans in the dark about the true party intentions.

[Imalittleteapot]

72. Many will jump ship, but

will never admit to it. We won't know about them until Nov. 2 when Kerry wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Citizen Daryl]

73. My sister told me tonight she's switching from Nader to Kerry!

Kerry's speech was just the motivation she needed to convince her that he and Bush are not Skull & Bones brothers-in-crime (she was getting fed that crap by Alex Jones).

The tide is turning, me laddies and lassies!

[proud patriot]

75. Wheeeeeeee !

:D