Wow. This is just of those stories that you see and you almost just breeze right by it – cause it can’t be true. But apparently, it is.
Professor Jan Ting – one of my own former tax professors at Temple University – has been “expelled” by the Delaware Republican Party from his position in the state GOP. He has been accused of… supporting Democrat Barack Obama for president.
“Evidently someone went online and saw that I had been making contributions to Obama,” said Professor Ting. The contributions totaled about $250.
The horror!
Professor Ting has been a member of the Republican Committee for 25 years and is a former Republican candidate for the Pennsylvania Senate. According to the Delaware News Journal, Ting claims that he was told, “unless you are willing to recant that and swear allegiance to the party nominee John McCain, we are compelled to request your resignation from the Republican Committee.”
(Hat Tip: TaxProf Blog)
I don’t understand why he is making contributions to Obama if he is a republican. Although I don’t see how the republican party can expect that every member is going to support all candidates, swearing allegiance to a person like that is creepy.
Just one more example of how our two-party system discourages critical thinking on the part of citizens. Dems should be able to support GOP candidates they feel are the best, and GOP-ers should be able to support Dems.
We should all be choosing our preferences based on the person, and whether we feel most closely aligned with them, rather than mindlessly toeing some party line.
Sounds more like the Communist Party! As for myself, I voted for McCain the last time he was up for re-election in AZ, but this fall, Obama has my vote, unless he picks either Hillary or Al for veep. So what? Does that mean the Libertarian Party (who I supported last time) is going to demand a loyalty oath? 😀
Urb
I do not find this strange. Would Jeter be fired for betting on the Red Sox in a critical Game 7 of the World Series.
The Dems did the same thing last month to a Convention Delegate because she said she would vote for McCain since Hillary isn’t the Dem Presidential candidate. They revoked her credentials because of her statement.
I agree with Miranda.
I don’t think that being aligned with any one political party – no matter how closely – should necessitate anyone having to swear allegiance to a candidate.
I’ve voted across party lines for years – and will continue to do so. Why is that wrong?
Gripes! Crazy republicans (I am one, but dude, that is just entirely too controlling for my taste). When will party elitists learn that we vote principals, ideals and what we feel is the best choice to lead us out of misery and into a place of abundance, success, prosperity and stability.
I couldn’t care less what party a candidate represents. If his/her foundation is right and in line with mine, they got my vote. (Oh crap, I hope there are not fellow republicans reading this 😈 ).
no comment
I’m a conservative and I don’t think the republicans really are, but I understand their position. We aren’t talking about taking away party membership, we’re talking about taking away a position in the leadership structure. Obviously, if someone is going the other direction, then they probably aren’t a good candidate for leadership in your organization.
Having said that, it does sound like it was handled in a tacky fashion. The allegiance bit was definitely over the top. As Americans, the only thing we should pledge our allegiance to is the Constitution (and the Flag that represents it). Not parties or their candidates.
It is Believable and the Right Thing.
There is no problem with either the Demorcrats denying the delegate credentials or the Republicans expelling the official. A party official or delegate should support the party. If they do not like the direction the party is heading, it is their obligation to voice disatisfaction and encourage change. If they cannot do that, the options are to resign or just be quiet. A political party cannot be effective with its officials publically pulling for the other party’s candidate.
The professor exercised his free speech rights. The party wanted to maintain its message, so the professor was let go. Both have to live with the consequences of their actions. The professor is now separated from ana organization with which historically he had many shared values. The party loses the value of desenting view of a long term active member.
The professor should have had his spouse make the contribution and not forced the issue.
If you can’t be loyal to your party that pays your salary, you should be kicked out.
Im not so sure Democrates would not do the same thing…. I am a dem but thinking of voting independant. I don’t think you should be a
card carrying member and be something else.
I agree with Rebecca–I don’t understand him supporting Obama–he is the antithesis of what the Republican Party should stand for–I can also understand why many Republicans were uncomfortable with John McCain. To much walking across the Isle and maybe those that do that should stay on the other side of the isle. We need a strong conservative party in America to hold onto the values this nation was founded on. Perhaps the Professor felt pressure from his fellow (and most likely liberal) professors.