American changes 1976 to 2000

[zorkpolitics]

In the two closest elections in the last 30 years, the states won by Democrats have changed dramatically. In 1976 Carter beat Ford 50% to 49% and in 2002 Gore beat Bush 48% to 48%, but only 10 of Gore's 21 states were also won by Carter, while Carter also won 14 states that Bush won. Ford won Democratic states like the entire West coast and East cost states like VT, CT, and NJ.
So if the Republicans ever ran a moderate candidate (is there one?) would they expand from their base and win easily?

[Devlzown]

1. It's a bit more complicated than that.

So many things have changed since 76. The South has gone from being a Democratic bastion to a Republican stronghold. The rise of the Christian Right greatly influenced that switch and contributed greatly to the Reagan campaign in 80. George Bush I was considered a moderate when he ran against Reagan for the Republican nomination. His views on economics, abortion, and other social issues evolved as the Christian Right's influence grew stronger within the party. While the Christian Right is a very vocal and loyal base for the Republicans, they are also the party's albatross. Since no one can win the Republican nomination for national office without courting the Christian Right, a moderate Republican has very little chance.

[LouKYDem]

2. And I don't understand...

how somebody can call themself a Christian AND a Republican.... Christianity embraces important things such as love, respect, and compassion... name one REPUBLICAN with any of those qualities!

[Devlzown]

3. It's Evangelical Children of the Corn Christianity.

Their idea of compassion is sending missionaries into Iraq to convert the Muslims. After all, they're saving them from Hell -- what could possibly be more compassionate than that? That form of Christianity is, in my view, more dangerous than any form of radical Islam, because those zealots wield a great deal of power in the most powerful country on Earth.

[VoteClark]

4. From 1861 to 1933 the Republicans were the Democrats

and the Democrats were the Republicans. Don't forget, Lincoln a Republican freed the slaves, and Wilson was a die-hard bigot. Most of the members of the KKK until about 1900-1958 were Democrats. Look at William Byrd. Storm Thurmond was a Democrat.

Between 1909 and 1952 the parties almost completly changed clothes. By 1964 the parties had changed to each other. Democrats became liberals and Repukes became the old Democratic Party conservatives.

In addition to the parties changing issues, the states were also different.

The Democrats focus on social liberal issues and big city concerns. The Republicans focus on farming, moral values, and big business interests.

As they evolved, they catered to the interests of blocks of voters.

There is an old cartoon, this Britsh troop and US troop are fighting. Over the course of the fight they switch clothes. First the hat, then the belt, sock shoes, jacket, shirt, etc. Until finally the US troop is wearing the British Uniform and and British Troop is wearing the US uniform.

It is because the political parties try to capture each others political base, they succeed, and bam, they are on opposite sides of the line they started.


:kick:
J4Clark