If Teddy Roosevelt was living today would he be a Democrat or Republican?

Question

I know this is really hypothetical and doens't fit into the context of his timepeiod but what would you say, the parties have kinda shifted over time I think in some ways, and in many ways not.

Answer 1

Yes, both parties have shifted as a result of allowing their extremes to gain far too much influence. And of course my answer is just opinion but;

I'd argue he'd be a Democrat, like the late Pres. John F. Kennedy, or current US Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.

All three push(ed) for a strong but reasonable US foreign policy, were concerned over matters of economic justice for the working classes and were very wary about the power of big corporations in American society.

Admittedly, both Teddy and JFK would be moderate to conservative Democrats to be sure, thanks to their hawkish posistion on military matters. Teddy especially would be quite an oddity today, (even more so than he was in his day), to the far right of the Democratic Party due to his hawkish views but to the far left due to his economic ones. That's not to say that his politics were either far left or far right objectively speaking, just that they would probably be considered both today.

I don't think he could be a Republican in the era of George W. Bush and the rhetoric that has accompanied his presidency. His quotes about the balance between civil liberties and security, about how dissent is patriotic and how NOT doing so when you should is treasonous...it all would have gotten him expelled from he party in a heartbeat.

Answer 2

I'm not sure. Here the sovereign responsibility of the people as a whole should be placed beyond all quibble and dispute.

The public needs have been well summarized as follows:

Here is part of his speech:

"We hold that the public has a right to complete knowledge of the facts of work.
On the basis of these facts and with the recent discoveries of physicians and neurologists, engineers and economists, the public call formulate minimum occupational standards below which, demonstrably, work can be prosecuted only at a human deficit.
In the third place, we hold that all industrial conditions which fall below such standards should come within the scope of governmental action and control in the same way that subnormal sanitary conditions are subject to public regulation and for the same reason--because they threaten the general welfare.
To the first end, we hold that the constituted authorities should be empowered to require all employers to file with them for public purposes such wage scales and other data as the public element in industry demands. The movement for honest weights and measures has its counterpart in industry. All tallies, scales and check systems should be open to public inspection and inspection of committees of the workers concerned. All deaths, injuries, and diseases due to industrial operation should be reported to public authorities."

Answer 3

If Theodore Roosevelt were alive today, he would be a Republican, and the Republican Party would be better for it.

Answer 4

He'd be a Goldwater Republican.

And Goldwater would be a Libertarian.

I'm not sure it's correct to say the parties have shifted; I think it's more like they flushed themselves down the toilet....

He promoted free-enterprise capitalism by busting the monopolies (a feature of state-capitalism), and yes, he believed in gun-rights, the pioneer ethic, and kicking butt.

Answer 5

Probably an independent.
It really wouldn't matter, because he probably wouldn't have enough money to run for president. He'd also probably be considered a pro-life homophobe in today's perverse society.

Politics are basically for rich, corrupt, egotistical lawyers who cater to those who fill their coffers.

I'm either somewhat cynical or a realist.

Answer 6

My guess is conservative Democrat, maybe even leaning towards Independent. Very high on environment and the working man, big on defense and aggressive foreign policy. He probably would've gotten my vote nowadays.

Answer 7

No, he wouldn't. Even though his "populist" ideas were far, far to the left of what was then mainstream, he'd be far to the "right" of today's politicians.

TR actually believed in the Constitution; no politician of today does that. Sure, they'll quote it, but only as a murderer justifies his acts by quoting Scripture as he saws his victim in two.

Answer 8

He would be a Democrat and a fan of Al Gore.

Answer 9

.he was a Republican, But with his environmental stances and beliefs he probably would be a Democrat

Answer 10

I think he'd be disappointed with the way all politicians are behaving these days.