I was not always a democrat.

[mmonk]

I began as an unaffiliated voter even though I came from a family of staunch democrats. This was due to the Vietnam war and at the time, establishment democrats who were more or less for continuing the war as well as the republicans. I changed largely due to my heroes, Robert Kennedy and George McGovern. I often wonder how many young voters out there today are like I was. Are they either unaffilated, independent or Green because we aren't drawing enough of a distinction between ourselves and the republicans in appearance through untrained eyes regarding war and malfeasance? I say we always strive to support true unquestionable principles, the highest standards of conduct internationally, the better natures of the human experience, and never be too timid, reluctant or calculating regarding drawing a line in the sand against anything that conflicts with these principles. I say we give those voters today who like me early on need a reason to join us. Let's be their Bobby Kennedy.

[helderheid]

1. I registered to vote for 2 reasons: Bush and Kucinich.

I wanted to vote Bush out and vote Kucinich in. Dennis made me a Democrat.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. I registered as a Democrat in '66. Seeing it as the lesser of two evils.

Other than the heady days of McCarthy and McGovern, I'm still a Democrat for the same reason I registered in '66.

[ewagner]

3. Nor, was I....

when I came out of the rarified atmosphere of "legislative service" (an aid) and became a "local yokel"...city staff person...my whole perspective changed.

35 years ago I made the switch...

[juno jones]

4. I still

resister as independant (or none of the above) In retrospect, I'm glad I have up to now, it might have spared my votes, as I usually vote pretty straight 'D'. I might register 'D' for the primaries this year tho, seems like an important race going on there this time around.

[uppityperson]

11. Me too.

[mmonk]

15. Please do.

[TahitiNut]

5. Non-partisan liberal all my life.

As a liberal, I eschewed the "Southern Democrats" ... Thurmond, Wallace, et. al.

[mmonk]

12. I understand.

[Hepburn]

6. I registered Dem and have always been a Dem because of...

...Richard Nixon. NO WAY did I want to be in the same party with that POS. That was in 1969 and before Watergate...but as a Californian, I knew way to much about him to EVER want any association with anything that was connected with him.

[pocoloco]

7. Wow, those are powerful words! But first we gotta figure out

how to transplant a few spines and then we will be joined en masse!

[mmonk]

14. Let me know if you figure out how.

[Greyhound]

8. We've got to give people something to vote for.

We haven't for a long, long time and this bunch isn't filling me with hope so far.

[HockeyMom]

9. I just became a Democrat last November

after 30 plus years as an Independent. My two daughters (22 and 27) joined the party when they first became eligible to vote.

Since I have only voted for a Republican once (George Pataki's 1st run) in that entire time, I figured it was about time to end the charade.

My parents were both Democrats and my Dad was a strong Union member (ILA). I guess it was just youthful rebellion back then and a just plain stubborn streak later on.

[mmonk]

13. Great.

[benld74]

10. My father made me a democrat

He was staunch repubican. And all I can recall hearing while growing up ws "Damn Democrats! Dirty rotten cheating Democrats! In high school I began to read the newspapers and connecting dots. And when Reagan decided to tax Social Security, and my dad was still damning the Democrats I called him on it. I asked him how can you support your party the way you do when they voted to tax your social security benefits? He said I was wrong, and I told him to look up the facts. From then on its was like a piece of flint against a piece of steel on our political discussions.

[AnOhioan]

16. Officially declared myself a Dem in '04 to vote for Dennis...

in Ohio's primary. Was a liberal independent for my entire adult life prior to that. Will stay a Dem as long as it suits me. I may go back to Independent if the party continues to disappoint.

[mmonk]

17. I understand but think of Dennis

before you think of leaving to go back to independent.

[Nutmegger]

18. I was an unaffiliated voter until last July.

I switched my affiliation to the Democratic Party because I wanted to pull the level for one great man: Ned Lamont.

Ned Lamont is the reason I'm a registered Democrat.