How many Freepers were once liberals or Democrats?

Slyfox

[Slyfox]

How many Freepers were once liberals or Democrats? Please explain to us how and why you became a conservative. What was the defining moment?

[jobim]

Born in 1951 - first vote cast was for McGovern - typically liberal like the lion's share of my Woodstock contemporaries

Lived in Asia from age 25-29 and rethought all of my political beliefs - the first book that began the turn around was Looking Out for Number One by Robert Ringer, strangely enough. Then devoured conservative political thinkers, subscribed to National Review, all just as the election of 1980 was in process. Came in with the Reagan Revolution.

[ncountylee]

While in college and grad school, I had a series of democrat machine (Pittsburgh) appointments. When I moved into the private sector after graduation I corrected my registration.

[Chi-townChief]

I was originally a registered rat and voted for Nixon; re-registered Independent around 1980.

[Dog]

Carter cured me also..

[umgud]

President Nixon shook my hand and thanked me for my service to the country. I've been hooked ever since.

[Junior_G]

I was a flaming, moonbat liberal in high school. Attending the University of Washington is what woke me up. Before going to college, I had always believed it to be self-evident that liberals were the open-minded and tolerant ones. Once I had spent a couple months on a college campus, it dawned on me like an epiphany that liberals are just about the most hateful, intolerant, closed-minded people you're ever likely to bump into.

[cripplecreek]

I was more liberal but that doesn't mean I was a liberal. I wouldn't claim either party if you paid me.

[Windsong]

Was a bit of a tree hugger in my teens. Not anymore. Wasnt it Churchill that said "anyone who was not a liberal at 20 had no heart, and anyone who wasnt a conservative by age 30 had no brain"?

[KosmicKitty]

Was never a dummyrat - was and still am registered as an independent

Was a bleeding heart liberal commie, though, but never a dummyrat

[Slyfox]

I voted for Anderson and for Mondale because of his female running mate Geraldine Ferraro. (I was nuts...)

You are forgiven, my child.

[Recovering_Democrat]

I think my answer is obvious.

I've related my story here on the forums of FR...there was no defining moment, per se, but a big step was during the primary season of 1992, when I was still a Democrat...I supported Paul Tsongas because I saw an honest man--and he was overrun by the Arkansas Liar--and I saw the direction my party was headed.

There's more to the story, but dinner is on the table. :)

[doodad]

Yeah sad to admit. Late high school schenanigans and college in earth sciences kind of fed it. But then, the epiphany of paycheck, marriage, and fatherhood changed that forever.

[fedupjohn]

Long ago. Carter cured me.

Carter disgusted me and Reagan won me over.

[sneakers]

Yes, I'll admit it - I was a dem. I registered when I was 18 and didn't change until I was 38. Although, I have to say, I voted for Reagan both times. When Clinton ran for prez, I knew it was time to take the final step and become a Republican. I'm happy I did and I've never looked back. I just wish I had done it sooner!

[Windsong]

bump

[skimask]

I was a Democrat when I was young and voted for Carter in 1976. After that election Ronald Regan had a five minuite radio spot on a local radio station in Los Angeles every week day. I started listening to it. He made so much sense that within one month I registered as a proud Republican.

[Argus]

Living in San Francisco in the late 70's turned me conservative. It was like a living laboratory of loony leftist policies. The results were stuff like Jonestown and the Aids epidemic. After a few years there I was a raging reactionary. Still am.

[Liberal_in_Austin]

Ping

[NathanR]

I was never a liberal, but I was once a Democrat. I was actually a flaming moderate. If any given area was Republican I registered Republican, if Democrat I registered Democrat.

I actually went to the Washington State Democrat Caucus, and voted for the "Favorite Son" "Scoop" Jackson. When Carter was nominated I could not bring myself to vote for him. I have never voted Democrat for president, but have voted third party, most recently for Perot.

[MarkeyD]

My parents were Dems, but I've been saying I was a Republican since I was 5.

I even went to see Jimmuh Carter when he was campaigning JUST so I could sit during the standing ovations. I was 18 at the time.

P.S. I did convert my parents.