Can Tea Party Democrats Prevail?

To win in most places in South Dakota, you have to be a Republican.  No problem, just switch your party affiliation even if you’re a liberal.  We end up with a Republican Party machine that is decidedly liberal and often little distinguishable from their Democratic Party counterparts.  Party loyalty for Republicans shouldn’t mean as much in this context.

      So why can’t socially conservative Republicans just switch parties and run as Democrats?  Wouldn’t the “non-aligned” Tea Party and all other social conservatives and defense hawks rather support  principles regardless of the affiliation?  Has it been tried yet?  Can’t the Tea Party support candidates in both party primaries?

      After all, being a “fiscal conservative” only means that you’ll handle money and taxes wisely and frugally for citizens.  It says nothing about support of tradition, mores, or values–hence not conservative at all.

      To be sure, all liberals tend to be conservatives in the conservationist sense at election time.  But how many are bonafide preservationists of our founding heritage as well?

        At the primary level, conservative Democrats can debate more liberal candidates.  Once in the general election, there may will be a real choice.  Besides, any ideological conservative can drop out at any time in deference to political realities or to support an opposing candidate who becomes “good enough.”  Isn’t it still considered political “high ground” to vote for the individual rather than the party?

      Even a third party, such as the Tea Party elevating itself to official party status, can get on the ballot (along with the Constitution and Libertarian parties) and have a supposedly “equal” media platform up to a point.  Again, last-minute dropping out in favor of another candidate is always an option.

      If elected, conservative Democrats can challenge the left-wing of their party from within, but they can also do the same at Republican functions.