If you support a particular political party how did you select that party. ?

Question

Was it a single issue are overall philosophical differences.

Answer 1

Socialization in the family, community mores, and religious affiliation as well as other factors seem to combine with a person's personality to produce the individual political identity.  A recent study by Paul Goren at Arizona State found that voters typically formed their party affiliations before developing specific political values. They become Democrats first and then decide that they, say, oppose capital punishment and support trade unions.  M.R.I. scans suggest an explanation. Perhaps we form political affiliations by semiconsciously detecting commonalities with other people, commonalities that ultimately reflect a shared pattern of brain function. In the mid-1960's, the social psychologist Donn Byrne conducted a series of experiments in which the participants were given a description of several hypothetical strangers' attitudes and beliefs. They were then asked which stranger they would most enjoy having as a co-worker. The subjects consistently preferred the company of strangers with attitudes similar to their own. Opposites repel.  Political identity starts with a shared temperament and only afterward deposits a layer of positions on the issues.

Pretty crazy stuff, huh?  Most people really don't select parties based on issues OR philosophical differences.  They select them via commonalities.  True, there are those who figure out their own stances on the various issues, rank which are priorities, and then methodically determine which party best represents them.  But those are, as I said, anamolies.  I'm sure I'll get lots of thumbs down as people read this and say, "Not true!  I'm very informed and chose my party based purely on logic and reason!"  Don't believe it.  Most people are democrats or republicans simply because it feels right.

Answer 2

If you want to live like a Republican, vote like a Democrat.  

Answer 3

The overthrowing of the GOP by the PNAC moved me from a registered Independent to a registered Democrat.  I love my country, and because of that love, I will never vote for another republican again.