BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Democratic Party Do You Automatically "Hate" Republicans?

As Democrats, I think we're often accused of automatically hating all Republicans, but there are actually a great number of Republicans who I have a lot of respect for. Not that I'd necessarily vote for them, but I don't dislike them....

Some examples would be John McCain, Bob and Elizabeth Dole, Sandra Day O'Connor and George Pataki. Even the governator (Schwarzenegger) doesn't totally bother me.... although he's not my governor, so I'm not necessarily one to judge.

Does anyone else feel that they're unfairly accused of hating all Republicans, when in reality it's just the current administration that they really dislike? If so, are there any Republicans who don't bother you?

I like George W. Bush. He is a Christian man. He is pro-life. Those are the MOST important things I look for in a candidate. I won't vote democrat because their official party platform is pro-choice. I don't hate democrats. As a Christian, I don't hate anyone, but I strongly disagree with most democrats.

I definitely don�t hate all Republicans. Some of my family and friends are Republicans. I even like some of them. Actually, some of the best emails I have gotten from my readers are from Republicans. They put forth intelligent well thought out counter arguments to my articles. As a party, I think it is easier for Democrats to agree on what we don�t like, than it is for us to agree on what we, as Democrats stand for. That makes it easy for us to attack Republicans for the failed policies of this administration, rather than come up with a unified platform. I think that Democrats will not win with a strong majority until they can get voters to vote for them and not against the Republicans. The time has come for Democrats to put forth a plan for the future and not just attack the present and past mistakes of this administration.

Good point TraceyKay!

Dave, why is the abortion issue, the most important issue to you? When there are many issues that affect the lives of human beings, war, hunger, lack of health care; why does the abortion issue become more important in deciding which candidate to support?

I love this topic as me and my husband always wonder if Democrats automatically hate Republicans. I vote for who I feel can handle the job, not their political position. Use to only vote republican, but sort of changing depending on the issue and the person running.

I always vote for the issues and the candidate over the party, and I give serious consideration to who I'm voting for. However, that almost always ends up being democrats. I voted Republican twice, once for the mayor of the small town I grew up in, and once for County Sheriff (because I knew the Democrat, and he was an awful man). I've never voted Republican in a national election, and it's unlikely that I'll start any time soon.

Living in Louisiana now, I think it's unlikely that I'll vote for Blanco if she runs for governor again; while I think the fiasco was primarily the Federal government's fault (Louisiana admitted very early on that we were not capable of handling the disaster ourselves and we needed HELP.... and help never came), I think she could've and should've done MUCH more. However, Louisiana has a runoff system, not a straight two-party system, so I'll still be able to vote for a Democrat, probably.

TraceyKay
Why is abortion so important to me? Because the unborn are totally innocent and vulnerable. Because since 1973 there have been approx. 47 million that have been killed. It is America's holocaust. There are lots of issues that affect our lives but it just seems the cruelest blow to not even have a chance at that life. To be killed before you can have a choice of your own. To deny these children love by denying them life. Life itself is the greatest issue and death itself its greatest enemy. That is why.

Dave�
I think one thing that those on both sides of Roe can agree on, is we would like to live in a world where abortion was never needed or wanted. Jimmy Carter talks in his book , Our Endangered Values, about the Christian biblical mandate �to do justice, love mercy, protect and care for widows and orphans, and exemplify God�s compassion for the poor and victimized,� in order to create a world where abortion would never be wanted or needed. This seems to me to be an area the religious right has abandoned. They devote all their energies into blocking access to abortions and that their respect for that life ends the day it is born. Have you done anything to make abortions unnecessary, or do you solely devote your energies to defeating Roe?

As a Christian, I am to support ways to help others at all stages of life. Yes, I have helped to the degree I am able. Through our church and other Christian organizations and through volunteering of our time. But none of that excuses abortion. If I didn't help rape victims it would not excuse the rapist. So, if I never lifted a finger to help small children it would not excuse abortion. Besides, you have to stop killing them before you can help the ones who need help growing up. They have to have the chance to grow up first. And remember this, since Jesus said, " If a man looks upon a woman and lusts after her, he has committed adultery with her already in his heart." That is an example. So logically then, if you support abortion, even though you've never had one, you have comitted murder already in your heart. Have you done anything to stop the killing?