# Am I a Democrat a Republican or ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 7, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937 "2005-08-07T01:41:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/21 "2005-08-08T16:54:49Z")
Why is being pro war in Afghanistan a Republican position? Most Democrats supported the Afghanistan war. Had John Kerry or Al Gore been president on 9/11/01 they probably would have gone into Afghanistan as well. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/22 "2005-08-08T17:31:00Z")
Can I just start a new party a Republicrat? Or Demopublican? But in seriousness I switched party allegiance this last year, and not for any other reason then Santorum he went way to the other side of what I believe in. And I couldn’t get it through to the phone callers asking me for a donation, why I will no longer put any money into the RNC because it puts money into that kind of politicians campaigns. And on the other hand I donated money into my state representives campaign (A democrat) and he will not longer receive a dime from me as he approved the recent pay raise. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/23 "2005-08-08T18:49:21Z")
> [@Larry Borgia](#): > > Why is being pro war in Afghanistan a Republican position? Most Democrats supported the Afghanistan war. Had John Kerry or Al Gore been president on 9/11/01 they probably would have gone into Afghanistan as well. I was on the fence about this one, but ultimately decided to label it a “Republican” position. You can, of course, feel free to disagree. Just about all conservatives were pro war in Afghanistan that I knew. True, most Americans in general were supportive of it, but those that were not tended to be liberals. [Moveon.org](http://Moveon.org) and other leftists were the ones who opposed it. You’re own post says that Kerry or Gore **probably** would have gone in as well. That’s the difference right there. Basically any republican administration would definitely, not probably, go topple the Taliban. YMMV, and probably will. In any case, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that Republicans are generally hawkish and tend to favor more military spending and such than Democrats. The OP seems to fall on the Republican side of the spectrum regarding military issues. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/24 "2005-08-08T19:42:25Z")
> [@](#): > > In any case, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that Republicans are generally hawkish and tend to favor more military spending and such than Democrats. The OP seems to fall on the Republican side of the spectrum regarding military issues. And I will not disagree with you on most of that, I do believe in a strong military. But not so much to project power overseas but to protect our interests at home. Yes that may not be the case in Iraq, but Iraq to me anyway, was justified to start (With the information we where given at the time) and whether or not Bush lied about it, or anyone lied about it at the time, now that we are into it, nothing can be done but win it. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/25 "2005-08-08T19:59:09Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > You’re own post says that Kerry or Gore **probably** would have gone in as well. That’s the difference right there. Basically any republican administration would definitely, not probably, go topple the Taliban. YMMV, and probably will. What complete nonsense. A Democrat took the US to war in Kosovo because of Muslims being killed by dispicible men in the Serbian armies. Any President – whether Republican or Democrat – certainly would have gone to war in Afghanistan after 3,000 Americans were killed. Any suggestion to the contrary is just sheer partisanship. Pointing out that some far left elements opposed the war in Afghanistan has nothing to do with the Democratic Party nor its candidates. That’s like taking the rantings of Pat Robertson about nuking the State Department and ascribing that view to George Bush and the Republican Party. Both are bunk arguments from start to finish. ---
**Author:** ![zacchaeus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/898d66/32.png) [@zacchaeus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zacchaeus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/26 "2005-08-09T03:01:17Z")
> [@LostGoals](#): > > (Wrong area, throw me in a tub of scalding oil and move me) > > I always get looks when someone asks me what party I agree with, and I cannot say either or so I will lay out some of my beliefs and someone can lead me to the right party. > FTR I have always voted by the person, not the party. And in the last few elections its been pretty even by party. > > I am anti gun control > I am anti big government > I am neutral on abortion have no strong feelings other then I believe the parents have the right to know about minors. > I am pro stem cell research > I am pro equal rights for everyone regardless of age/race/gender/handicap/sexual orientation and that goes for marriage. > I am pro Iraq war > I am pro Afghanistan war > I sided with Michael Schiavo > I am pro UN (if they can reduce the graft) > I am anti censorship meaning if they want to say “Fuck” on NBC at 8pm they should be allowed to, I believe its the parents responsibility to monitor what they can and cannot watch/hear. > I don’t think Bush was/is any worse then Clinton, and haven’t thought real highly of any president in my lifetime. > The only presidential candidate I even remotely liked was Ross Perot, and not because I agreed with all his beliefs, but because he was hopefully going to shake things up a bit. > > So what the hell am I? Give me a name I can call myself… other then asshat please. You must be a bong toker? I would beware trying to attach a political name. With these people, the devil always seems to be in the details. ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/27 "2005-08-09T06:47:48Z")
[This](http://www.politicalcompass.org/) gives you a pretty good start on pigeonholing yourself. If you’re into that. Political leanings seem to follow the rule of thirds, anyhow, and I think a lot of people forget that. 1/3 of the US is left/Democrat; 1/3 of the US is right/Republican; the remaining 1/3 are those vaunted “swing votes” belonging to those who refuse to follow the herd (whichever herd we’re talking about this election cycle). Take that test and see what it says. You may surprise yourself. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/28 "2005-08-09T16:32:29Z")
interesting test, **chique.** Heh, the political individual I am closest to (but not _that_ close) is Gandhi! [Guess I have to start sleeping with virgins!](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040813.html) Case you’re curious: Economic Left/Right: -0.88 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.18 ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/29 "2005-08-09T17:46:46Z")
Hmmm… Economic Left/Right: -1.25 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.41 According to the Canada 2005 country-specific chart, the political party I am closest to is the Bloq Québecois! Not living in Quebec, so will never have them on the ballot, but I certainly wouldn’t vote for them. Although to be fair, this is probably an average of the party’s positions, as the site correctly points out that the Bloq is an alliance of diverse political groups united only in their support for Québec independance (or sovereignty-association, or something). I would rate the Bloq significantly higher on the Authoritarian scale, myself. They’re not against government control, they just don’t want the _Canadian_ government doing the controlling! ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/30 "2005-08-09T22:15:09Z")
> [@LostGoals](#): > > So what the hell am I? Give me a name I can call myself… other then asshat please. Other than the UN, you sound like a [South Park Republican.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Park_Republican) ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937/31 "2005-08-09T22:45:43Z")
> [@LostGoals](#): > > I am anti gun control > I am anti big government > I am neutral on abortion have no strong feelings other then I believe the parents have the right to know about minors. > I am pro stem cell research > I am pro equal rights for everyone regardless of age/race/gender/handicap/sexual orientation and that goes for marriage. > I am pro Iraq war > I am pro Afghanistan war > I sided with Michael Schiavo > I am pro UN (if they can reduce the graft) > I am anti censorship meaning if they want to say “Fuck” on NBC at 8pm they should be allowed to, I believe its the parents responsibility to monitor what they can and cannot watch/hear. > I don’t think Bush was/is any worse then Clinton, and haven’t thought real highly of any president in my lifetime. > The only presidential candidate I even remotely liked was Ross Perot, and not because I agreed with all his beliefs, but because he was hopefully going to shake things up a bit. > > So what the hell am I? Give me a name I can call myself… other then asshat please. You are entitled to that belief, confused, mistaken, correct, right, wrong, right, right, right, right, wrong, and silly. Hope that helps. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-democrat-a-republican-or/315937.md?page=1)