General Discussion

Wella

(1,827 posts)

81. The GOP was a lot more liberal back in the 60s and 70s

Mon Dec 22, 2014, 03:34 AM

Dec 2014

Nixon would be considered a liberal by the Tea Party now. Back then--and I remember it well--you could be Republican and pro-choice, pro-civil rights, and even support the idea that the government should be out of the bedroom. Mainstream Republicans actually carried the Civil Rights legislation in 1964 while Southern Democrats rejected it.

The Republican party changed DRASTICALLY in the late 70s and 80s with the Reagan presidential run and the deliberate courting of the evangelical vote. I also personally trace the change in GOP abortion attitudes with inroads made by the Catholic Church after 1973--in seven years, "prolife" had been written into the party platform, something that would have not happened earlier, when Barbara Bush was connected with Planned Parenthood. In fact, during the late 80s, I remember going to a lot of marches where we held up signs saying, "Free Barbara Bush!" since we felt she was muzzled by the pro-life plank of the platform. If you remember, even Nancy Reagan was pro-choice, and said so during the 90s, once safely out of politics.

The free (free!) market Ayn Rand people hadn't made their dent in the GOP in the 60s or 70s either. It was Reagan (not Nixon or Ford) that brought radical deregulation and challenges to the unions.

So my answer is I could see voting for Elizabeth Warren even though she was a Republican during those years. It was a different world and being a Republican was different then. When being Republican meant being "conservative", she left the party. If Gloria Steinem is right, and women get more radical as they get older, then Warren's move in her 40s makes sense too.

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Would You Trust a Democrat Who Voted Republican During the Civil Rights and Nixon Era? [View all] McCamy Taylor Dec 2014 OP

If the only viable alternative is someone who has "merely" behaved like a Republican True Blue Door Dec 2014 #1

Most likely. People change. Thoughts change. Attitudes change. I've even grown softer... BlueJazz Dec 2014 #2

It's a sign of intelligence to change one's mind in the face of evidence tk2kewl Dec 2014 #93

If I could roll the odometer back, I'd vote for a Pete McClosky in a New York minute Brother Buzz Dec 2014 #3

It took him that long even after Reagan? Jim Beard Dec 2014 #25

One would have to be there at the time seveneyes Dec 2014 #4

Do you not think people can grow up and wake up? Warpy Dec 2014 #5

Hillary was a self described "Goldwater Girl." DonCoquixote Dec 2014 #6

When Hillary registered to vote for the first time she DURHAM D Dec 2014 #13

And yet she still described herself DirkGently Dec 2014 #63

Goldwater ran in 1964, Hillary registered to vote in 1968, she voted for Hubert Humphrey in 1968. Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #18

Hillary worked for the Rockefeller campaign at the Repulican National Convention in 1968. ieoeja Dec 2014 #64

When did she change, check it out. Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #72

She still leans to the right. Jim Beard Dec 2014 #26

Hillary goes as far back as the Nixon impeachment. William769 Dec 2014 #39

Does she come across as authentic now? randome Dec 2014 #7

A thousand times YES! She's the real deal to me. BlueCaliDem Dec 2014 #35

You don't know the history... 4139 Dec 2014 #8

There were plenty of Southern Democrats who supported Civil Rights and were liberal csziggy Dec 2014 #15

It was a Southern President that got it done Jim Beard Dec 2014 #27

Yes it was -- but when he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law . . . markpkessinger Dec 2014 #65

That would be somebody Turbineguy Dec 2014 #9

I might treestar Dec 2014 #10

There was a time when there were liberal republicans... gort Dec 2014 #11

Absolutely correct . . . markpkessinger Dec 2014 #68

You know what they say about opinions. Boreal Dec 2014 #12

Sad to say you are right Jim Beard Dec 2014 #28

DU rec... SidDithers Dec 2014 #14

You can't continue voting Republican Jim Beard Dec 2014 #29

... MannyGoldstein Dec 2014 #45

It's kind of troubling. moondust Dec 2014 #16

I also voted for McGovern Jim Beard Dec 2014 #31

Hell yes I do if that Dem is Elizabeth Warren. AtomicKitten Dec 2014 #17

If Bill is bad for signing bills which was veto proof then Warren does not get a pass on being Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #20

If they were 'veto proof', then why the Hell did he need to sign them? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #44

Maybe he did not have to sign the bills, now back to Warren still supporting the Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #51

Do not presume to speak for me. AtomicKitten Dec 2014 #52

Hum, did you speak for Bill and Hillary? Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #53

I don't know enough about warren gwheezie Dec 2014 #19

"g" like you Jim Beard Dec 2014 #32

Would you trust a Democrat who voted for a Republican ignited war? Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2014 #21

Bingo! n/t markpkessinger Dec 2014 #71

Its a bit hard to understand. DCBob Dec 2014 #22

And some people hate HRC for supporting Barry Goldwater when she was young. Rex Dec 2014 #23

Some people are down on HRC for hearting Kissinger with BFF status *NOW*. delrem Dec 2014 #62

She voted for Reagan/Bush the second time with 5,000 Americans dead from AIDS and not a word Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #24

Interesting that you never mention Hillary or Kerry who voted MannyGoldstein Dec 2014 #41

You continue to smear Warren without facts to back it up Jim Lane Dec 2014 #85

Show me her record of oppposing the policies of her Party, Nixon through Bush. Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #90

In other words, you got nothin' Jim Lane Dec 2014 #91

The parties were not as polarized during the Civil Rights and Nixon eras. Agnosticsherbet Dec 2014 #30

Yes. In my lifetime, I've never seen anyone be more of a Democrat than this~ RiverLover Dec 2014 #33

Nice try.... 99Forever Dec 2014 #34

How old was Reagan when he stopped voting for Democrats? Crunchy Frog Dec 2014 #36

41-ish, 5 years younger than Warren mathematic Dec 2014 #60

In 1948 he campaigned for Harry Truman, and also for Hubert Humphrey in his first senate race. StevieM Dec 2014 #78

Reagan was a registered Democrat until past his 50th birthday. Jim Lane Dec 2014 #86

I like Warren. I also like Hillary. And I like Obama. I think the party has some great leaders. StevieM Dec 2014 #80

None of this swiftboating of Warren Union Scribe Dec 2014 #37

disruptive tactics are the only kind that matter reddread Dec 2014 #58

+1 BrotherIvan Dec 2014 #75

No more than I'd trust my dad. w8liftinglady Dec 2014 #38

Did she help to suppress unions when she worked at Walmart? krawhitham Dec 2014 #40

I'd like the OP to answer that question, as well. closeupready Dec 2014 #98

I don't 'trust' any politician. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #42

Think about the standard you're setting here, Obama has said nicer things about Republicans CreekDog Dec 2014 #43

his voting record, however, is clear. ecstatic Dec 2014 #47

that's a pretty foolish way to choose a nominee CreekDog Dec 2014 #48

that's not what I was suggesting and ecstatic Dec 2014 #57

Compliments and voting are two very very different things. DCBob Dec 2014 #49

interesting points that must be addressed ecstatic Dec 2014 #46

Yup. Iggo Dec 2014 #50

I like how you cast preferring someone over clinton is "hating" clinton Scootaloo Dec 2014 #54

Far less vexing than a candidate that supports corporate dominance, "free trade", and TheKentuckian Dec 2014 #55

Ofcourse back then you had Republicans like.. KinMd Dec 2014 #56

What matters is current beliefs. JEFF9K Dec 2014 #59

As opposed to someone who's a hawkish corporatist now? marmar Dec 2014 #61

If that person is Senator Warren I will madokie Dec 2014 #66

But Hillary talks and acts like a republican NOW. Do you see the difference? Doctor_J Dec 2014 #67

Please see my post at #68 markpkessinger Dec 2014 #69

Do I trust a Democrat who voted for the Iraq War Resolution, Maedhros Dec 2014 #70

that very thing has been demanded already SwampG8r Dec 2014 #73

I think Sen. Warren needs to prove herself ucrdem Dec 2014 #74

Would you trust a 50 year old who had never changed her/his mind? elleng Dec 2014 #76

Good question. Rigidity in thinking is just as dangerous riversedge Dec 2014 #82

I was a republican before I was in independent before I was a Democrat oldandhappy Dec 2014 #77

And if I ask you about how and why you changed, do you get insulted and defensive? Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #92

Yes, because just a few short years ago I was a libertarian Ykcutnek Dec 2014 #79

The GOP was a lot more liberal back in the 60s and 70s Wella Dec 2014 #81

love love LOVE your assessment of a "economic conservative" Skittles Dec 2014 #83

If Hillary is the presidential candidate I will vote for Julian Castro then. Katashi_itto Dec 2014 #84

We trusted a former Klansman One_Life_To_Give Dec 2014 #87

What former president are you talking about? I can't think of one who was in the Klan, unless you StevieM Dec 2014 #94

I believe the reference is to Sen. Robert Byrd (KKK-WV). KamaAina Dec 2014 #97

Yes, I would. Now I have a question for you... Jim Lane Dec 2014 #88

It is a question she will have to answer more fully, imo. yellowcanine Dec 2014 #89

A whole lot of other folks here are hyping a current Democrat who is on the record as KamaAina Dec 2014 #95

And remember, as hard as it seems to believe today, KamaAina Dec 2014 #96