Why I Left the Republican Party, but Didn't Become a Democrat: A Republican of Republicans.

I remember slapping on two “George W. Bush for President” stickers on my truck before the election of 2000. I felt one sticker wouldn’t have accurately portrayed my dedication and devotion to the GOP candidate. These stickers were right underneath my Christian “Ichthus”, or fish. Looking back, I can see I was more devoted to the GOP than Jesus. This is my story.

Attending Young Republican meetings were quite fun. They would often be held at ritzy hotels in Scottsdale. About 20-30 of us would stand around snacking, chatting about upcoming events and elections. I rubbed shoulders with some of the most elite Republican politicians in Arizona. I remember specifically speaking to one prominent politician who had held his office for over 20 years. The stories he would talk about in regards to money, personal relations, and personal behavior were dumbfounding. I left the meeting feeling like I could do a better job than this guy in the human decency department. The reason I share this story is that I learned from a young age that Democrats were “morally bankrupt” and held “loose morals”. I learned that night that acting “morally bankrupt” transcended political lines.

Nevertheless, I continued my pursuits in the Republican Party. I desperately wanted to be involved in politics. As I entered college, I started as a Poly-Sci major. Some of my friends and I would go to Republican rallies. I started pushing for internships with various Republican politicians. I started to get my feet wet. I was ready to go, to be a dedicated helper to the GOP in AZ in order to propel my own career into politics someday.

Election night rolled around. November 7th, 2000. My buddy and I were going down to the AZ Republican Headquarters to celebrate what seemed to be likely Bush win over Gore. We slowly watched to election unfold before our eyes. Sometime early in the night, a TV station declared Bush the winner. We were elated. Cheering. Yelling. High fives. Hugs. Everyone was thrilled. About an hour later, the election was back in the air again, up for grabs….Bush’s victory would be delayed. I don’t feel I need to recount the details of the election, I am sure we all remember it well.

The next few weeks and on I sat on pins and needles. All I did was listen to talk radio in the car, surf the net for results and updates when on the computer, and sit in front of my TV watching Fox News when at home. If Gore got in the world would be doomed. Bill Clinton Part II. That is the last thing this country needs. Oh. Praise God. Bush wins….

I share all this to show you how much my life was all about politics, and specifically the GOP. Often when I think about those days and that time in my life, I liken it to the apostle Paul when he declared his stock. “Circumcised the 8th day, of the stock or Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” I was that in my mind to the GOP. I was soooo devoted, soooo dedicated, no one could question my zeal….I was sold out to the GOP, until death. I would fight for what was right!!

Then, Grace Awakening……