How come Republicans who buck the party line are "mavericks" while Dems who do it are "traitors"?

Question

Many Republicans have gone against the party line on certain issues -- McCain, Giuliani, Schwarzenegger, Orrin Hatch, just to name a few -- and yet they are still in good standing with the party.

But when a Democrat does it, he or she gets thrown under the bus. Case in point: Joe Lieberman.

And can anyone name for me just ONE prominent Democrat who is pro-life? I can't think of any.

But I can think of several Republicans who favor at least some legalized abortion -- even though the party line on the issue is pro-life.

Whether it's the Iraq war (the issue on which Lieberman bucked the party line) or abortion, it seems that for Democrats, strict adherence to party dogma is vital.

Does this not mean that the Republican Party is FAR more tolerant of dissent within its ranks, than the Democrats are?

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Answer 1

semantics.

Answer 2

Joe Lieberman is now an Independent. he was the VP candidate of the Democratic Party as Al gore's running mate in 2000. If he was some local yokel Congressman or Senator no big deal but when you were a leader of the party faithful, to speak at the opponents convention 8 years later in opposition to the Party's nominee is what?  Treason, simple and plain.

Answer 3

Just shows that the right is far more tolerant than the left at least when it comes to differing opinions.  Any dissent from anyone on the left is seen as a traitor to the cause and is marked as an outcast.

Answer 4

Because it's all right when it's all Republican. The rules don't apply to them.

Answer 5

hypocrisy