Iowa's longest serving Republican leaves party

americanwoman · Apr 24, 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_term=.5ecc20fc85f3

Iowa’s longest-serving Republican legislator, state Rep. Andy McKean, ditched the GOP on Tuesday as he offered a searing renunciation of President Trump, saying he could no longer support Trump as the party’s standard-bearer because of his “unacceptable behavior” and “reckless spending."McKean revealed he would join the Democratic Party, a decision he described as “very difficult” after spending nearly a half-century as a registered Republican and 26 years in the legislature. But ultimately, he said, “I feel as a Republican that I need to be able to support the standard-bearer of our party.”
And “unfortunately,” he said, he could not bring himself to support Trump.
“Unacceptable behavior should be called out for what it is,” he said during the news conference at the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines, “and Americans of all parties should insist on something far better in the leader of their country and the free world.”

:clap:

Yes, we do insist on better leadership and better behavior all around. Reality show drama belongs on reality shows not in the White House.

Rogue Valley · Apr 24, 2019

Good to see a Republican place morality and decency above blind party loyalty.

Sabre · Apr 24, 2019

Yes, good for him, all rinos should have the honesty to switch to the party of their true beliefs but, he seems to go with the wind as he was once a Democrat who switched to Republican, now back again. Regardless, all parties deserve members who work to support and improve their party, not undermine it from within by supporting the opposition.

OlNate · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Yes, good for him, all rinos should have the honesty to switch to the party of their true beliefs but, he seems to go with the wind as he was once a Democrat who switched to Republican, now back again. Regardless, all parties deserve members who work to support and improve their party, not undermine it from within by supporting the opposition.

Given that the reason he gave was his opposition to "reckless spending", it sounds like he's more of a Republican than you....

Is it time to admit that all Trump supporters are "Rinos"?

tres borrachos · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Yes, good for him, all rinos should have the honesty to switch to the party of their true beliefs but, he seems to go with the wind as he was once a Democrat who switched to Republican, now back again. Regardless, all parties deserve members who work to support and improve their party, not undermine it from within by supporting the opposition.

So you don't approve of people who switch parties?

tres borrachos · Apr 24, 2019

americanwoman said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_term=.5ecc20fc85f3

:clap:

Yes, we do insist on better leadership and better behavior all around. Reality show drama belongs on reality shows not in the White House.

I feel his pain. I left the GOP for the exact same reasons.

Sabre · Apr 24, 2019

OlNate said:
Given that the reason he gave was his opposition to "reckless spending", it sounds like he's more of a Republican than you....

Is it time to admit that all Trump supporters are "Rinos"?

You forgot "unacceptable behavior" as an excuse also but both those terms are subject to personal opinion, neither which I adhere to. Don't know how long you have been in the game but the first president I supported was Ike, even though I was not old enough to vote then. One of the things that has been constant thing with all presidents since that time has been those terms brought to bear by the opposition party of the time, sometimes even within the same party. Nothing new here.

Your inference that all who support Trump are Rino's is senseless.

OlNate · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
You forgot "unacceptable behavior" as an excuse also but both those terms are subject to personal opinion, neither which I adhere to. Don't know how long you have been in the game but the first president I supported was Ike, even though I was not old enough to vote then. One of the things that has been constant thing with all presidents since that time has been those terms brought to bear by the opposition party of the time, sometimes even within the same party. Nothing new here.

Your inference that all who support Trump are Rino's is senseless.

No inference, simply a question...and one that comes rather easily, when a life long Republican suddenly cites fiscal irresponsibility as the reason for crossing the aisle.

Also, my understanding of the GOP, and conservatives in general, is that they pride themselves as the keepers of morality...this speaks to the "behavior" bit.

Out of curiosity, how many Republicans switching sides would it take to make you wonder if maybe Trump's supporters are the rinos?

upsideguy · Apr 24, 2019

Rogue Valley said:
Good to see a Republican place morality and decency above blind party loyalty.

...which he did by leaving the Republican Party, because it is no longer the home of moral and decent people.

MTAtech · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Yes, good for him, all rinos should have the honesty to switch to the party of their true beliefs but, he seems to go with the wind as he was once a Democrat who switched to Republican, now back again. Regardless, all parties deserve members who work to support and improve their party, not undermine it from within by supporting the opposition.

He didn't abandon the party, the party abandoned him.

Conservative used to believe in balanced budgets, free markets and limiting the government's encroachment upon individual liberties and freedom. Today, they believe that deficits don't matter, as long as they are in power; they believe in placing their thumb and choosing economic winners and losers, such as the coal industry or placing tariffs on products they don't like, like solar panels; and limiting individual rights in order to get the votes of the religious right-wing.

Sabre · Apr 24, 2019

tres borrachos said:
So you don't approve of people who switch parties?

tres borrachos said:
I feel his pain. I left the GOP for the exact same reasons.

Sure, why not, I did... My whole family and all the neighbors and friends were Democrats, when I was young and dumb I was to. Then I grew up, married, had a child and had to actually work for a living, wasn't long before I realized I was in the wrong party. However, I did support JFK and would have Bobby, the last Democrat I took a chance on was Carter.

Integrityrespec · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Yes, good for him, all rinos should have the honesty to switch to the party of their true beliefs but, he seems to go with the wind as he was once a Democrat who switched to Republican, now back again. Regardless, all parties deserve members who work to support and improve their party, not undermine it from within by supporting the opposition.

Good riddance. If he cannot support his party then he needs to be a democrat. Maybe he likes the idea of abortion on demand, free everything and open borders. If so he a perfect candidate for the democrat party. His ideology is his problem not the current President. Even if reelected trump would be out in 4 years. So his problem with being a Republican is his core beliefs.

I wonder, did he run as a Republican this past election and did he run on republican platforms? Did he make the switch now because he thinks it will be easier to get elected in that district next election as a democrat?

Sabre · Apr 24, 2019

upsideguy said:
...which he did by leaving the Republican Party, because it is no longer the home of moral and decent people.

Really an awful statement to accuse all Republicans as immoral and indecent people. You really should not deal in such inane absolutism.

tres borrachos · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Sure, why not, I did... My whole family and all the neighbors and friends were Democrats, when I was young and dumb I was to. Then I grew up, married, had a child and had to actually work for a living, wasn't long before I realized I was in the wrong party. However, I did support JFK and would have Bobby, the last Democrat I took a chance on was Carter.

Were you mad about Trump changing parties, how many times....?

Moderate Right · Apr 24, 2019

americanwoman said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_term=.5ecc20fc85f3

:clap:

Yes, we do insist on better leadership and better behavior all around. Reality show drama belongs on reality shows not in the White House.

This really makes no sense. If you are a Republican and you hate Trump then you don't just chuck all of your ideals and go to the other side. On the other hand, it might be a good idea for this to happen a lot because these people aren't going to be voting for Democratic policies. They will be wolves in sheep's clothing. They are not going to be rubber stamping Democratic ideals.

Sabre · Apr 24, 2019

tres borrachos said:
Were you mad about Trump changing parties, how many times....?

Not "mad" about anyone changing parties, many candidate's do it, many have become President after doing so.

upsideguy · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Really an awful statement to accuse all Republicans as immoral and indecent people. You really should not deal in such inane absolutism.

Sorry pal, Republicans are not speaking out against this President for his moral ineptitude. In failing to do so, they have sanctioned it. Moral and decent people do not look the other way at indecency.

Republicans can enjoy the mud that has been splattered on them because of their support for this man. If you are a Republican that has not spoken out on Trump's behavior, you own Trump's behavior as well. Wear it proudly.

In fact, I think its time for good people everywhere to start shaming those that fail to speak out on Trump. By failing to speak out against him, they are enabling his despicable behavior. If you aren't part of the solution; you are part of the problem.

joko104 · Apr 24, 2019

americanwoman said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_term=.5ecc20fc85f3

:clap:

Yes, we do insist on better leadership and better behavior all around. Reality show drama belongs on reality shows not in the White House.

Did he use the line "I didn't leave the party, the party left me" like 1,001 politicians before him who switched parties?

He's just a state legislator with a $25,000 a year position in a low population district. In short, he's a nobody and being a state legislator has exactly nothing to do with who is president.

Sabre · Apr 24, 2019

upsideguy said:
Sorry pal, Republicans are not speaking out against this President for his moral ineptitude. In failing to do so, they have sanctioned it. Moral and decent people do not look the other way at indecency.

Republicans can enjoy the mud that has been splattered on them because of their support for this man. If you are a Republican that has not spoken out on Trump's behavior, you own Trump's behavior as well. Wear it proudly.

In fact, I think its time for good people everywhere to start shaming those that fail to speak out on Trump. By failing to speak out against him, they are enabling his despicable behavior. If you aren't part of the solution; you are part of the problem.

Do you walk on water? The last person I know of that was as moral you espouse to be is said to have done so. By the way, you just became history, you crossed a line I will not accept.

Taylor · Apr 24, 2019

A member of the Iowa state legislature from a district comprised primarily of democrat voters changes party affiliation to Democrat. Not seeing the national news story here.

americanwoman · Apr 24, 2019

Taylor said:
A member of the Iowa state legislature from a district comprised primarily of democrat voters changes party affiliation to Democrat. Not seeing the national news story here.

It's part of a growing trend, more people standing up to what we want our elected officials to really represent.

McKean now joins the ranks of state Republican officials who have fled the party amid a divisive presidency and shifting political landscape.

From Kansas to New Jersey, a slow succession of state lawmakers and officials, largely in suburban districts that have become less red, has both startled and appeased constituents by crossing the aisle, oftentimes citing Trump’s rhetoric, policies and a disagreement with their party’s responses to his behavior.

“He sets, in my opinion, a poor example for the nation and particularly for our children by personally insulting, often in a crude and juvenile fashion, those who disagree with him, being a bully at a time when we’re attempting to discourage bullying,” McKean said.

Who can honestly disagree with the bolded?

americanwoman · Apr 24, 2019

joko104 said:
Did he use the line "I didn't leave the party, the party left me" like 1,001 politicians before him who switched parties?

He's just a state legislator with a $25,000 a year position in a low population district. In short, he's a nobody and being a state legislator has exactly nothing to do with who is president.

He's part of a bigger movement of people rejecting bad behavior and poor leadership.

Someday, your eyes will open too. :2razz:

Taylor · Apr 24, 2019

americanwoman said:
He's part of a bigger movement of people rejecting bad behavior and poor leadership.

Right, so he's a nobody being used as a tool by the NY Times to push a narrative they want people to buy into.

Vadinho · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Sure, why not, I did... My whole family and all the neighbors and friends were Democrats, when I was young and dumb I was to. Then I grew up, married, had a child and had to actually work for a living, wasn't long before I realized I was in the wrong party. However, I did support JFK and would have Bobby, the last Democrat I took a chance on was Carter.

Not entirely sure why growing up, getting a job and having a family led you to becoming a conservative but its a good story regardless. It follows a well worn pattern by conservatives that they are the mature wise ones and everyone else is naive, idealistic and irresponsible. The problem with stories like these is that they are not only based upon anecdotal evidence but they require one to believe that older people who have jobs and families but happen to remain liberals are also naive, idealistic and irresponsible. We all know that to be patently false yet you insist on pretending it is true. Perhaps this story makes you feel better about being wrong about almost everything politically since you turned into a conservative. Guilt can make one do strange things.

MrWonka · Apr 24, 2019

Sabre said:
Yes, good for him, all rinos should have the honesty to switch to the party of their true beliefs

Actually, the true beliefs of the Republican Party historically would make anybody that Supports Donald Trump the Rino. Anit-Trade, horrible family values, blatant dishonesty, no moral character of any kind...

Every member of the Bush family including two former Republican Presidents voted for his opponent. John McCain asked that he not be invited to his funeral. Mitt Romney initially was a never Trumper, and both of Ronald Reagan's children have come out and said that their parents would have never supported Donald Trump.

Trump took the Republican Party away from Republicans. He is the rino.

Iowa's longest serving Republican leaves party

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Iowa's longest serving Republican leaves party

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