Republicans: Reregister as Democrats?

[jwoodie]

Nationally, the Republican Party is about 80% conservative. The Democratic Party is about 40% conservative but, because of the smearing of the Republican brand, about 1/4 of these vote Democratic anyway, giving that party an effective 70% liberal tilt. Given the Democrats' recent mastery of getting-out-the-vote tactics, Republicans can no longer rely on greater conservative turnout to win national elections.

However, if all Republicans reregistered as Democrats, the Democratic Party would become 60% conservative and our government would reflect that change. This may sound like One Party Rule, but at least it would be a conservative party. The creation of a Third Party has not resulted in a Presidential election victory in 150 years,* and has no prospect of achieving that goal in the foreseeable future.

*The only reason Lincoln won (with 39% of the vote) in 1860 was because the Democrats nominated two Presidential candidates (Northern & Southern) that year, who split the Democratic vote. A similar Republican split in 1912 elected Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, and Ross Perot's conservative candidacy in 1992 helped Bill Clinton win with only 43% of the popular vote.

 

[JakeStarkey]

jwoodie, very interesting!

 

[Photonic]

I would like to note that the republican party and democrat party in Lincolns time where opposite in what they represent in modern times.

 

[Dick Tuck]

Nationally, the Republican Party is about 80% conservative. The Democratic Party is about 40% conservative but, because of the smearing of the Republican brand, about 1/4 of these vote Democratic anyway, giving that party an effective 70% liberal tilt. Given the Democrats' recent mastery of getting-out-the-vote tactics, Republicans can no longer rely on greater conservative turnout to win national elections.

However, if all Republicans reregistered as Democrats, the Democratic Party would become 60% conservative and our government would reflect that change. This may sound like One Party Rule, but at least it would be a conservative party. The creation of a Third Party has not resulted in a Presidential election victory in 150 years,* and has no prospect of achieving that goal in the foreseeable future.

*The only reason Lincoln won (with 39% of the vote) in 1860 was because the Democrats nominated two Presidential candidates (Northern & Southern) that year, who split the Democratic vote. A similar Republican split in 1912 elected Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, and Ross Perot's conservative candidacy in 1992 helped Bill Clinton win with only 43% of the popular vote.

You put too much faith in a label. Yes, a majority of Americans call themselves conservatives. However when you ask their positions on issues such as the environment and education and health care, they take a liberal perspective.

 

[Toronado3800]

Valid historical points.

Using a longer term and more universal measuring stick the word Liberal is overused.

The Political Compass - US Presidential Election 2012

In regards to the "average American" I question where they fall

 

[Photonic]

Valid historical points.

Using a longer term and more universal measuring stick the word Liberal is overused.

The Political Compass - US Presidential Election 2012

In regards to the "average American" I question where they fall

Most Americans fall somewhere in the center. Thankfully.

 

[Toronado3800]

My link may be different than what you are thinking I am concerned. Central would be down and to the left of both candidates.

Then again I have always felt a strong authortarian appeals to voters of both sexes on a primal level. As does the desire to think of oneself as "above average" or a non 47 percenter which pushes even a welfare receiving farmer living behind a corps of engineers floodwall to wanna vote right of his true opinions