I was a bit worried when I started reading “phillyPete” at the Daily Kos:
I’m doing something today that many of you may think is no big deal, but to me it’s a small form of surrender that is partly overdue.
I’ve just printed out the application to switch parties in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania requires voters to register with a party prior to voting. In Illinois, we do not declare a party when we vote. This allows us a certain flexibility for the primaries. We ask for the ballot of our choice when we show up to vote. This also leads to some typically underhanded voting techniques. I know at least one registered, card-carrying Republican who took a Democratic ballot in Illinois on February 5 so he could vote for Hillary Clinton. The Republicans are so hungry for Hillary, they’re trying to stack the deck so she is their opponent in the November’s general election.
This Hunger for Hillary will no doubt lead to overconfidence should the Senator from New York win the Democratic Presidential nomination.
But back to “phillyPete”. I was worried. He says he originally registered as an Independent when he was younger.
As soon as I became 18, I registered to vote, and began paying attention to the Debates and reading the papers. I wanted to be a good, informed, responsible voter. This was not easy because I was not a book-smart kid. But I watched as Dukakis and Reagan sparred and tried to make up my mind. I easily started leaning Democratic, but felt that the Conservatives still had some good ideas.
But, lucky for us, “phillyPete” is changing parties, and registering as a Democrat.
Welcome aboard, Pete.