With all the name-calling that’s been coming from Republicans upset at State Senator Chris Koster’s and now state senate candidate Chris Benjamin’s switching their party affiliations, we at PubDef.net would like to remind our Republican friends that switching parties is nothing new.
Discovering that your personal beliefs and the direction of your political party no longer match is not all that uncommon in American politics. In fact, the godfather of modern Republican conservatism, Ronald Reagan, himself, was a Democrat for the first 51 years of his life.
If it wasn’t for party-switchers, Republicans might be stuck quoting Richard Nixon in their debates.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Richard Nixon, today, would be a Democrat. Barry Goldwater had severe problems with the Republican Party which he voiced many times. He wouldn’t be Republican either. Ronald Reagan was a dogmatic fascist, not a conservative.
January 7th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Maybe it’s because my reading is more left of center, but I think I’ve read as much or more criticism of Koster’s switch coming from Democrats who think he should “pay his dues” first before seeking high office on that party’s ticket.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Doug Duckworth is proving his lack of credibility in this post.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 am
The Switchers should pay their dues it comes with Professionalism and real trust. Koster does derserve lots of criticism did he not cut Medicaid for his Boss the Blunt Trauma Gov. That;s rnough for any decent Democrat to see!!!!I;ll take Margaret Donnelly she has never dropped a ball for the Democratic Team or the kids in this state > How about you?