# Republicans: How satisfied are you with the current GOP? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671 "2011-12-09T21:37:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/1 "2011-12-09T21:37:22Z")
There’s some talk about Republicans who are discontent with the current direction of the Republican Party, in particular with the current selection of presidential candidates and their policies. This poll is for you. I’m making this poll public in hopes of dissuading Democrats or others from manipulating the poll results. And I know this sample can only be representative of the SDMB, and barely even that. Still, I’m curious. Poll only. Please direct debate points about whether the GOP sucks now or is better than ever to the various threads in the Elections forum. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/2 "2011-12-09T23:29:14Z")
I hope that this is a public poll isn’t dissuading people from participating … ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/3 "2011-12-09T23:35:07Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > I hope that this is a public poll isn’t dissuading people from participating … I just wonder how many “Republicans” there are around. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/4 "2011-12-10T00:04:59Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I just wonder how many “Republicans” there are around. It’s currently 1 republican (looking for other options) and 9 democrats/independents/others which is kind of telling. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/5 "2011-12-10T00:06:33Z")
I’m a Republican… have been for a long time. But a public poll and being told we can’t discuss our reasons… no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/6 "2011-12-10T01:04:41Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m a Republican… have been for a long time. But a public poll and being told we can’t discuss our reasons… no thanks. You can post a reason, but debates about it should be in GD. Mainly I was hoping to avoid Democrats getting into an argument with people. So what if it’s public? It’s not like your SD name is public information, is it? Again, the point is to try to help ensure no pretend GOP thwart the poll. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/7 "2011-12-10T01:16:28Z")
Hah, I just noticed “best fits you best.” Well done, Knorf. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/8 "2011-12-10T01:28:35Z")
I’m an independent, and voted as such, but I have an open mind to both political parties. I think the GOP really needs to ditch the social conservatives and loosen up a bit on the economic stuff too. Basically, they should shift a bit to the left, then I could more easily support them. Stay strong on defense though. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/9 "2011-12-10T01:56:04Z")
None of the choices were perfect for me. I see no viable alternative. My main problem with the GOP is that they talk a good game about fiscal sanity, but they don’t walk the talk. I also tend to be pretty libertarian on social issues. SSM? None of my business. So that part of the tribe, the one that wants to regulate everyone’s morals on matters that affect no one but the participants, I could do without. I want fiscal conservatives, who respect persona liberties, will install strict constructionist justices, respect constitutional limitations, and who recognize that the government is not the solution to all problems. Given the choices, and looking for someone electable, the GOP is still the best alternative for me. But that’s not saying much. I think for the most part, the whole lot, both sides of the aisle, are a fraternity of imbeciles who generally do more harm than good. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/10 "2011-12-10T02:04:17Z")
Registered Republican here. I have no idea what happened to the party I joined 20 or so years ago. At this point I can’t decide whether to stick it out and vote for Ron Paul, or just re-register as a Libertarian now. I suppose it’s possible that my political views may have shifted to the left a bit over the years, but the party has taken about 10 Giant Steps to the right, and have just about lost me completely. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/11 "2011-12-10T03:17:53Z")
I’m very disappointed in the current GOP. Much like the New Left/Hippy/European style Social Liberals tried to seize control of the Democratic Party and partially did so via men like McGovern or Mondale or Dukakis the Tea Party and the radical right is doing to the GOP to-day. This year’s field of candidates annoys, disgusts, and angers me I just hope another 1964 or '72 doesn’t happen. But as long as the Republicans can nominate someone who will institute economic reform (realistic ones not 9-9-9), repeal Obamacare, and have a prolife policy I will support him or her. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/12 "2011-12-10T04:03:03Z")
I am currently registered as a Democrat, so I could vote for Obama in the primary of 08 over Hilllary. I have been Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and Rational Anarchist (other). I am much in the same boat as Stratocaster. Give me a strong military, decent but not overbearing regulation of commerce, and stay the hell out of my bookshelf, hard drive, and sex life. And keep your God off me and my kids, thanks. Which means at the moment, there is nothing in the GOP for me, at all, as any sensible folks are drowned out by those who would boo a US soldier just because he’s gay. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/13 "2011-12-10T05:46:01Z")
I’m a Republican in New York. There are still Republican politicians in this state I respect but I’ve lost pretty much all of my respect for the national party. And I don’t see any signs that things are improving. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/14 "2011-12-10T12:44:10Z")
I am not affiliated with any party because I find them all to be worthless. What really aggravates me is the mindset that one party or the other has to “win” - it’s not about running the country, it’s about “winning” … I am absolutely convinced that if a member of one party came up with \*THE \*answer - the solution to joblessness, taxes, healthcare, foreign relations, and bad hair days - members of the other party would shoot it down immediately and loudly. Sorry - didn’t mean to hijack. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/15 "2011-12-10T14:34:39Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > You can post a reason, but debates about it should be in GD. Mainly I was hoping to avoid Democrats getting into an argument with people. Fair enough then… I pretty much agree with what many others have said. It isn’t the same party I signed up for 32 years ago. I like fiscal conservatism, small government, strong military, and the ability for someone who works long and hard for their money, paying taxes all the way to pass it down to their heirs without having to forfeit half to the government just because they die. I don’t like the current strong religious undertones, telling me that if two people of the same sex get married it will somehow undercut my own marriage, trying to dictate my morality, etc. > [@Knorf](#): > > So what if it’s public? Guess it is a lot like my feeling on voting in general… it is a private thing. Even if it is painfully obvious who I support, I’ll never tell who I voted for. Something my father instilled in me I guess. I really think anytime you make a poll public you will greatly limit the number of people who will respond. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/16 "2011-12-10T14:42:21Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > There’s some talk about Republicans who are discontent with the current direction of the Republican Party, in particular with the current selection of presidential candidates and their policies. This poll is for you. Maybe this might skew your results a bit. If you only want to hear from the discontented, then it sounds very much like it is yet another Republican-bashing. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/17 "2011-12-10T14:46:28Z")
I only vote Republican out of necessity. In the past year or so I’ve come to the realization that I’m a Libertarian. So far, the most libertarian-looking candidate in the Republican field is Ron Paul, but I have a hard time getting behind him. He’s too holy-roller for me. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/18 "2011-12-10T14:46:54Z")
I’m not a Republican. Nor am I a Democrat (God forbid). I’m a libertarian with a small “l”. The only candidate I like is Ron Paul. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/19 "2011-12-10T14:49:22Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I only vote Republican out of necessity. In the past year or so I’ve come to the realization that I’m a Libertarian. So far, the most libertarian-looking candidate in the Republican field is Ron Paul, but I have a hard time getting behind him. He’s too holy-roller for me. Dr. Paul is better than any of the other candidates, IMO. But I must admit, he comes across as a goofball. His son Rand is a \*much \*better communicator. Am hoping Rand will run for president one day. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671/20 "2011-12-10T16:52:09Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Maybe this might skew your results a bit. If you only want to hear from the discontented, then it sounds very much like it is yet another Republican-bashing. For the record, this poll is for people who think the GOP is in fine shape with an excellent crop of candidates as well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-how-satisfied-are-you-with-the-current-gop/605671.md?page=2)