This is the story of someone very close to me. We've discussed politics all our lives and the last 6 years I've watched his transformation. He's not a Democrat, yet :), but he has switched his party affiliation from proud Republican to Independent. If there is anything that Bush has done good for this country, it has made this person and others shift parties and positions. Here is one man's story.
You are a conservative, libertarian-leaning Republican who proudly votes for George W. Bush in 2000.
STEP 1: You like the idea of making government smaller and taxes fewer. You like Bush's tax cuts. Yet, instead of making the required cuts in spending, Bush goes on a spending spree and cranks up the deficit to sky-high levels that would make the most imaginary free-spending liberal estatic, all with a Republican-controlled Senate House.
There goes the conservative principle of fiscal responsibility.
STEP 2: You are proud of the United States and believe that war should only be fought for national self-interest and are against 'nation building'. 9-11 happens and with many other Republicans and Independents and even some Democrats, you support the invasion of Iraq. But, as the rationales for the war fall one by one, ties to al Qeada, WMD and others and you are left with... nation building a nation that didn't want it at a cost of hundreds of thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. You realize you are left with a war that even the most idealistic 'nation builder' wouldn't have supported.
There goes the conservative principle of limited wars of national self-interest
STEP 3: You have a conservative's belief in individual rights from government interference and you have a gay brother you love and respect and a Muslim wife you are devoted to and love. Bush and Co. demonize gays in the 2004 election and propose a constitutional amendment to actually limit individual rights. Bush Republicans demonize all Muslims and target them in many ways, including your wife. Bush and Co. suspend Habeus Corpus, spy on our own citizens and more.
There goes individual rights
STEP 4: You have a conservative's pride of the American spirit, the 'can-do' attitude and ability that sent Americans to the moon. Then comes the Iraq War and Katrina.
There goes American "can-do"
Step 5: You have a conservative's belief in American Exceptionalism, believing the U.S. is special because of our devout belief in Democracy, humanity and goodness. You believe people come here from all over the world because of America's differences of freedom and goodness. Bush allows and orders the torture of prisoners and through actions and words turns world opinion against us.
There goes American "specialness"
Sixth and last step You have a serious motorcycle accident and are in the hospital for a month. You lose your "part-time" 35/hr week job and the little insurance you had because you can't work. Your hospital bills skyrocket (The 20% co-pay of your previous insurance makes your part of the bill reach in the 6 figures). You now have no insurance, no job and months of therapy ahead of you. The American system of health care isn't working for you. You read up on single-payer health insurance ideas. You realize that it makes perfect sense...
You are now a Democrat in all but name.
Thank you George Bush, you just made another Democrat.
It has been fasinating to watch this person realize over time that the Republican party has become something he is not, and that the man he voted for in 2000 has brought that about (to his great credit, he did not vote for Bush in 2004).