Being an independent voter...

[bellavite1]

The latest presidential elections were a turning point for me, seeing the establishment from both sides fighting Trump to keep the Status Quo.
Two sides of the same coin, just holding on to their seats.
Disgusted by what I had seen I decided then to change my voter registration from Republican to Unaffiliated.
As I now realize, I can now vote for either the Democratic or Republican Primary.
With our left leaning state, this open a lot of possibilities.
I realize this is a tactic that has been used by Dems for a while now to put the most unelectable Republican candidate on the ballots...Can you say fight fire with fire?
Please school me on Pros and Cons.

[Gman]

Since the way candidates were chosen was thrown out in the last election, with either party being able to participate in the other party's selection (and taxpayers footing the bill), I went "Unaffiliated". The only way I can see the CO Republicans waking the hell up is if they see their roles diminished. I don't see any downside to changing your registration.

[thedave1164]

Since the way candidates were chosen was thrown out in the last election, with either party being able to participate in the other party's selection (and taxpayers footing the bill), I went "Unaffiliated". The only way I can see the CO Republicans waking the hell up is if they see their roles diminished. I don't see any downside to changing your registration.

This /\

[TFOGGER]

I see only one problem with "poisoning the well" by placing an unelectable Democratic candidate on the ballot: At this point in time, there may not be a left wing candidate whose view are so extreme as to be objectionable to enough Democrats to keep them from voting for them. The socialists have proven in the last 20 years or so that openly espousing the most extreme left wing agenda is not necessarily a bar to election. A push into the realm of ridiculous may not see the expected backlash.

[asmo]

As a republican state delegate (again). I have to say this not the best way to go about this (getting our head out of our collective asses). I am a pretty strong libertarian and cannot stand what has happened to the Republican party over the years.

The only way we can get crap fixed is to be part of the assembly process and work from within. I have talked, at length, with all of the GOP candidates for Governor (we're fuxked). The GOP lives in a complete and total vacuum/echo chamber - and I am routinely the dissenting voice, but over time I have heard more "I agree with you" than "you don't know what you are talking about". You have to change the hearts and minds internally before we can fix the party.

[Delfuego]

You've done it now! Be prepared for lots of political phone calls and mail. They think your now an "undecided voter". Everyone will want a piece ;)

[iego]

As a republican state delegate (again). I have to say this not the best way to go about this (getting our head out of our collective asses). I am a pretty strong libertarian and cannot stand what has happened to the Republican party over the years.
The only way we can get crap fixed is to be part of the assembly process and work from within. I have talked, at length, with all of the GOP candidates for Governor (we're fuxked). The GOP lives in a complete and total vacuum/echo chamber - and I am routinely the dissenting voice, but over time I have heard more "I agree with you" than "you don't know what you are talking about". You have to change the hearts and minds internally before we can fix the party.

I'm a first time State Delegate, and in the couple of months that I have been participating in the process, I have voted on a number of candidates (including Mike Coffman over a very conservative Roger Edwards yesterday) and issues, and I have now been invited to a monthly breakfast meeting that a number of big wigs in the party also attend. I'm responsible for the votes of some 350 people in my precinct, as I am a (first time) precinct captain, and theoretically have access to reports, flyers, documents, etc., to help me.

I'm reminded of the saying, "Think globally, act locally."

-John

[Irving]

I kind of see the poisoning the well tactic analogous to slashing your neighbors tires because you can't afford a truck. Bring something good to the table so people want to join you, while improving your own position. Otherwise you're wasting your time.

[Great-Kazoo]

. Bring something good to the table so people want to join you.

Tar & feathers sounds like a good start.

[Gman]

You've done it now! Be prepared for lots of political phone calls and mail. They think your now an "undecided voter". Everyone will want a piece ;)
Actually, I've only been targeted by the same Republicans that I had been previously. Nothing new.

[Irving]

You've done it now! Be prepared for lots of political phone calls and mail. They think your now an "undecided voter". Everyone will want a piece ;)

I feel like the local State farm agents think I'm "unaffiliated" based on how many letters I get in the mail each month.

[bellavite1]

You've done it now! Be prepared for lots of political phone calls and mail. They think your now an "undecided voter". Everyone will want a piece ;)

I no speak inglis...

[Delfuego]

I no speak inglis...[ROFL2]

[GilpinGuy]

The latest presidential elections were a turning point for me, seeing the establishment from both sides fighting Trump to keep the Status Quo.
Two sides of the same coin, just holding on to their seats.
Disgusted by what I had seen I decided then to change my voter registration from Republican to Unaffiliated.
As I now realize, I can now vote for either the Democratic or Republican Primary.
With our left leaning state, this open a lot of possibilities.
I realize this is a tactic that has been used by Dems for a while now to put the most unelectable Republican candidate on the ballots...Can you say fight fire with fire?
Please school me on Pros and Cons.

I did the exact same thing. I can't believe what I've seen from "Republicans" in recent years.


I kind of see the poisoning the well tactic analogous to slashing your neighbors tires because you can't afford a truck. Bring something good to the table so people want to join you, while improving your own position. Otherwise you're wasting your time.

I see fighting fire with fire. Of course the right needs to get it's shit together and have a good message to attract voters, but fight the left with at least the same weapons they bring to the fight. It pains me to even say that we should be sort of underhanded, but the political world is so nasty and corrupt now. If you aren't a conniving bastard, you aren't a good politician (good meaning successful at being elected, not doing the right thing). Nothing new about that I guess.

[GilpinGuy]

I feel like the local State farm agents think I'm "unaffiliated" based on how many letters I get in the mail each month.

LOL I've been in this house for 18 years and I've got an envelope from some State Farm woman in Evergreen every single month.

[Gman]

If all you want to do is take part in the Democratic candidate selection, you don't have to change your party affiliation.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

[Aloha_Shooter]

Rather than poisoning the well, I prefer to do triage. I look at both parties and decide where my vote is most likely to have an effect of keeping the most objectionable candidate out. In 2008, that meant I voted in the Democratic primary because it just didn't matter what happened in the Republican primary (looking at presidential candidates). Unfortunately for 2018, I'm not sure that I can do triage in either party but think the most important thing is to not default the governor's mansion to the Dems like we did the past few elections with the GOP either running an unelectable candidate or having third parties break up the anti-Democrat vote by insisting on extremes. We're finally getting rid of Hickenlooper, we need to do everything we can from letting a looney tunes Socialist from Denver be his replacement.