Why do conservatives seem to claim that the Democrat party has changed but Republicans haven't?

Question

This is in response to a recent question about "the anti-slavery party."

I've seen conservatives claim that, since the 1960s, the Democratic party has changed to the point where JFK would be ashamed to be associated with it. Yet this question seemed to insinuate that Republicans are still the same as they were during the Civil War.

So is that the universally accepted assertion - that Republicans haven't changed since the Civil War but Democrats have changed radically in the past 40 years?

If so, what is the evidence to back this up?

realgoodfolk: I'd love to say that I'm surprised by your refusal/inability to prove that assertion as asked... but I'm not.

Ruth: Apparently you're blind; read the very first answer to this question, you idiot.

Sweetpea: Your incorrect interpretation of what "Democrats" want does not justify your ignorant point of view.

karma: Isn't that sickening? NO ONE I know supports that bill; yet Dems and Repubs alike in Congress are salivating over it.

Ruth: If it's a Democrat bill, why did the President say that those who oppose it do not want to do what's best for America?

Is Bush a Democrat now?

Answer 1

It would be unfair and incorrect to say that Republicans / Conservatives haven't changed either. I was disapointed last night to see representatives of my party actually agreeing with the amnesty bill and proposed plans of universal welfare, oops I mean health care - both of which should be opposition to the blue party, not agreements.

It's like the conservatives are becoming diet socialists.

It sure seems like both parties are just trying to tell us what we want to hear instead of sticking to the principles and morals of the party they represent.

Answer 2

themes dealing with events and u.s. after worldwide warfare II included the chilly warfare and the Civil Rights circulate. Republicans attracted conservatives and white Southerners from the Democratic coalition with their resistance to New Deal and great Society liberalism and the Republicans' use of the Southern ideas-set. African human beings, who traditionally supported the Republican occasion, began helping Democrats following the ascent of the Franklin Roosevelt administration, the recent Deal, The GOP's southern ideas-set, and the Civil Rights circulate. The Democratic occasion's considerable base of help shifted to the Northeast, marking a dramatic reversal of historic previous. it incredibly is the reason hurricane Thurmond switched events to the Republicans and by no potential denounced his previous. whilst Byrd remained a democrat and denounced his previous. actually, the racism examined by utilising the GOP and it incredibly is southern ideas-set replaced into/is sufficient to lose the black vote as blatant racism trumps a number of those values.

Answer 3

Your question sees the convenient response of political hacks for what it is. In Some regards the Dems have changed, from a party of the working class to the party of the rich. They have remained the party of surrender since the late 1960's although they were the party of bold foreign adventure prior to that. The republicans have changed from the party of fiscal responsibility to the free spender they are today, but though out their history they have always been the advocates of liberty. On one thing I would agree JFK would be in the GOP camp today, much as R Reagan started out a Democrat, JFK would have never compromised his values to side with the blame America first crowd today's Dem's have become

Answer 4

Abraham Lincoln and even Barry Goldwater are turning over in their graves at what has become of their beloved Republican Party. There have been many books written about this, including Conservatives Without Conscience by John Dean, a lifelong Republican and friend of Goldwater's, The Republican War on Science by Chris Mooney, and How the Republicans Stole Religion: Why the Religious Right is Wrong about Faith & Politics and What We Can Do to Make it Right by Bill Press.

Answer 5

So, what, *one* conservative claimed that?

I've been saying for years that both parties started changing during the 60's and early 70's, especially when the Democrat party became the magnet for the hard left. That drove conservatives out of that party into the GOP. The process has been going on for about 40 years now.

I'd say neither party is recognizable from what they were 50 years ago.

Answer 6

I've never claimed that. Don't know why anyone would. The Democrats are Socialists, JFK would be ashamed. The Republicans are Socialist-Lite. JFK would still be ashamed.

Both are extreme shifts from 20, let alone 40 years ago.

Answer 7

Well you people always say Conservatives fear change and Liberals embrace progress, so you tell me.

The "New Right" took over the Republican party probably in the 80's and the "New Left" took over the Democratic party in the 70's, true Conservatives know this.

Answer 8

the funny thing is.... those that say it's changed seem to be sad the current democrats support civil rights... support women's rights...

it's like they are mad that the party isn't full of bigots anymore?

and Kennedy was clearly more the START of the change than the END of the old era... if you know anything about him...

Kennedy's New Frontier program was full of social programs?

and of course, everything changes over time...

Answer 9

I don't make that assertion and I doubt you have seen anyone make it. Scratch that. Any logical person.

The point is, anti-cons claim relationships with historical figures that are spinning in their graves at the thought. And I refuse, any longer to call them "liberals," because of it.

The party of Lincoln has changed, and for the BETTER. Lincoln was a centralized gov't guy. We are State's righters. This is one change you will not see any informed Conservative deny.

But in the sense that we believe ALL people have the ability to make the best lives for themselves, without interference or enablement of the government, we have not changed.

ADDED: Karma, that is a Democrat bill. A complete set-up of the American people, b/c they would rather set the president up than do what is best for the nation. Show me yes votes from true conservative Republicans. It won't happen. And health care can not any longer be ignored. The fact is, people on welfare get healthcare, and too many working and middle class Americans are doing without it. This is completely wrong, and it would be hypocritical to deny it.

ADDED: Read it any way you wish. We have always differed with Bush on immigration. DUH. Watch the votes, and then let's have this conversation again.

Answer 10

This place is full of hacks, and let's face it...for the majority of people today, history begins at conception.

Truth is, both parties have changed dramatically, both for good and bad. Nothing as fluid as politics and government can be constant.