Mike Said:

When did the Democratic party switch ideologies with the Republican party?

We Answered:

The conservative vs liberal, anti-federalist vs. federalists, states rights vs. federal power. These ideas of what the size, scope and power of the federal government should be have existed since the foundation of America. The founders had very different ideas concerning such issues, however, they were able to lay their differences aside, compromise and give birth to our great nation. We greatly need this spirit of compromise and cooperation to return in America.

As for political parties. Over time their ideologies fluctuate depending on who their leaders are, national events and issue.......i.e...the Republican party slowly become a conservative party throughout the first half of the 20th century where it sided with big business and big banks while the Democratic party trended toward the liberal ideas of fair labor and mandating corporate regulation. The Democratic southern conservatives completed the shift following the civil rights movement of the 1960's becoming Republicans, while those involved with the social revolution and anti-war efforts of the 60's gravitated toward the more liberal leadership that had taken hold in the Democratic party.

Suzanne Said:

Why did the Republican party drop the Democratic word in their name?

We Answered:

You are confused. The Democrat party dropped the word "Republican" from their name, not the other way around. The party of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison (and Aaron Burr) was commonly referred to as the Democratic Republican party. In fact, it did not have a formal name, because the party, at that time, consisted of various factions, and did not have any real national structure. By the time of Andrew Jackson, the party had dropped the word "Republican" and was known as the "Democrat" party.

The Republican party did not come into existence until 1854 and was always known as the Republican party.


RESPONSE TO ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Wrong again. The official name of the party is the "Democrat" party. Read the charter.

Viola Said:

Why does the Republican party and Democratic party gravitate towards the middle of the political spectrum?

We Answered:

Most people are right of the middle. The progressives (dems) aren't in the middle, like most Americans. Obama sure isn't in the middle! He's off the progressive/liberal chart.

Lorraine Said:

What is the difference between the democratic party and the republican party?

We Answered:

Here is the answer (youtube video) according to the Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama: http://tinyurl.com/DifferenceBetweenGOP-Dems

Tamara Said:

How did the Democratic and Republican party change?

We Answered:

I think the big change was with Nixon running in 1972 with the "Southern Strategy" to appeal to the then Democratic-leaning racist Southerners. Then the old Dixiecrats like Thurmond and Helms switched party to the Republicans.