To formally convert to the GOP, that is. Partially because Artur Davis probably wants the time anyway; and partially because (and here I speak from personal experience) it takes time to reconfigure one’s basic partisan identification. While your principles shouldn’t change when you switch political parties – and neither should your worldview – there is usually a whole list of damfool notions that you no longer have to grit your teeth, smile, and nod about; and it takes time to go through that list and cheerfully discard them all*.
But that’s OK: It’s going to be a couple of years before the next statewide elections in Alabama anyway. Plenty of time for a proper realignment.
Moe Lane
*Unkind people will mutter that you instead have to memorize a whole new list of damfool notions to grit their teeth, smile, and nod about. But I’m sure that I have no idea what those people are talking about…
So you used to be a Donk? I can’t imagine what it must be like to change parties, although I can safely say I am much more conservative than my parents that raised me R. I crack up a little when I do some voter id calls for the R party here and I ask people if they consider themselves more democrat or republican — some have said well it’ll be republican this time.
I didn’t leave the Democrats. They left me.
well, depending on the notions in question, you don’t actually have to. You can absolutely disagree with the party line and still be accepted. You need to do two things.
1. Not lead the opposition on the issues, unless it truly is your core issue, one you got elected on.
2. Regardless, don’t use the language of the opposition against your colleagues.
For example, if you’re pro-welfare, good: “I think that giving a helping hand to those in need is a role the government should play”. bad: “I wish my colleagues would stop voting to starve women ,children and old people”.
That’s why Perry’s ‘you just don’t have a heart’ comment was so devastating to his campaign.
Not to overpost here, but I have been thinking that for black men and women there may be more opportunities to succeed in the GOP in the coming years. I think the party is definitely looking to diversify. The democrat party’s position on social issues does not always align with blacks, and as more black leaders are elected as GOP they take some of the heat of the others to come. Hence, if you lean conservative there may be more opportunity in the GOP than a crowded primary race as a Dem.
Of course that leads to an issue of caution as I hope that the GOP continues to nominate and elect more conservatives. I would much rather democrat policies be voted on and implemented by democrats than by republicans. It damages the party to have too many RINOs.