to Pres Lincoln...... the first Republican, who insisted on fighting an unpopular war to free the slaves; the president who so angered his opponents that the Democratic Party was formed for the specific purpose to defeat lincoln's 2nd term and put a stop to the Civil War because it was 'already lost', a 'massive miscarriage of presidential power' and 'killing the nation' and [insert current GWB hate themes here]

those same Democrats, as soon as they had enough power in Congress, repealed the legislation that had given the Black man the vote. There were Black members of Congress until the Dems revoked their right to vote and participate and created the Jim Crow laws.

the same Democrats who fought to keep blacks and women from voting....... finally Republicans managing to get the vote back for the Blacks, and 20 years later against the Dems to get the women's vote.

the Jim Crow laws Dems fought to keep during and after the civil rights movement while Republicans rammed Civil Rights thru.

talk about a HIJACKING.

Jer: i respectfully disagree with you on who has helped the poor and minorities. it sure wasn't Jesse Jackson & the Dems. they've done their level best to keep minorities down so they can promise to lift them up.

the point about the parties is that the Democrats are hijacking the Republican history and platforms. that cannot be disputed.