The Change-Up

A Partisan Pondering the Psychology Behind Switching Parties

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

David StahlAs reported by blogger-in-chief Matt Rooney, Dave Stahl (D), Mayor of East Brunswick, will be making an imminent announcement. He’s becoming one of us, Save Jerseyans.

There have been questions raised in the past about Stahl’s political intentions, so this declaration may not come as a complete shock to anyone now, at least anyone in Middlesex County. In 2011, he endorsed Republican Marcia Silva for Assembly in LD18, insisting “it’s about the person, not the party.” He made very clear at that point that his endorsement did not change his political ideologies and that he was simply supporting the candidate whom he thought was the best and most qualified for the job.

I’ve never been a fan of party-switching, Save Jerseyans. Quite honestly, it just doesn’t make sense to me, for the simple reason that there are such fundamental differences in the ways Republicans and Democrats view life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As a member of a political party, you subscribe to a specific set of ideals and beliefs. So, how does one wake up one morning and decide that he wants to be affiliated with another party, one with completely opposing ideals and beliefs?

Our ideologies make up our own personal “infrastructure,” the foundation upon which we grow and flourish. Major shifts in that foundation signal the presence of uncertainty. How much faith should we put into someone who does not demonstrate clear and consistent convictions? How can we be sure exactly what he believes in, and can we feel comfortable that he will hold strong to those beliefs if elected to represent us?

In a lot of cases, I see party-switchers as opportunists, case in point, Charlie Crist. Although, he didn’t go so far as to make the full switch. Instead, he landed in the independent middle, a cop out in my opinion. If you’re going to change it up, go all the way. Or, in the case of Michael Bloomberg, always keep everyone guessing. Is he a Republican? Is he an Independent? Is he a Democrat? Maybe next time around, he’ll just form his own party, to really shake things up.

I do wonder, though, in a “blue” state, why would a Democrat make the switch to run for Senate? That’s just not logical in my opinion, not if he is serious about the longevity of his political career in New Jersey. Elected Republicans are few and far-between in the Garden State, so if Mayor Stahl were indeed looking to elongate his career, he would probably be better equipped to do so if he stuck with his current party.

So does making the move to red mean that Stahl has become disillusioned with his party? Is his decision to become a Republican mutually exclusive from his decision to run for Senate? Or does he feel that he needs to become a Republican in order to win this seat? He certainly didn’t need to join the GOP in order to endorse Governor Christie – there were other Democratic mayors who endorsed him and did not cross party lines.

I don’t know Mayor Stahl at all, and I am certainly not judging him for his decision. I am just very interested in understanding the catalysts behind his decision to join the GOP. Then again, how could he not want to be one of us? We’re such an awesome fun-loving group, right???? No pun intended….

Kristen Luciani
About Kristen Luciani 55 Articles
Kristen Luciani resides in Monroe Township with her husband and three children, aged 7, 3 and 18 months respectively. She works full-time as an Information Technology professional, and writes for her own blog, titled “Me and My Three” (www.meandmythree.com), that focuses on finding humor amidst the challenges of motherhood.

1 Comment

  1. Hey Matt,

    I switched parties from Democratic to Republican just as one of my favorite Republicans of all time did- Ronald Reagan. I love to quote Reagan when he was asked the same question I have had put to me a thousand times- "Why did you leave the Democratic party?" Reagan said, as you well remember, "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me." I am sure that is the case with Mayor Stahl as it is with many people after the last Presidential election. As a Jew seeing my former party call for the exclusion of God and the State of Israel from the party platform- I knew then and there that I had made the right choice. Democrats no longer represent my view on religion or foreign policy. They no longer represent my views on Economics or the State of Israel. They left me- I didn't leave them.

    All the best,

    Mike Goldstein

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