The Nature of the Beast

[kentuck]

Is there a basic difference in Republican voters and Democratic voters, in the degree of trust in their Party? It's basically a philosophical question. Somewhere deep in their soul, Republicans trust their leaders less than Democrats trust theirs because their leaders preach a philosophy that is more distant from the average Republican than that from the leaders of the average Democrat. After all, it takes a great deal of faith to believe that the wealthy are going to do what is best for you, even though you may be in the same boat economically as your Democratic brethren.

There is always a degree of distrust in the Republican voter that is not found in the Democratic voter. That is why if the Republican voter is betrayed or they sense that they have been betrayed by their leaders, they are more apt to ignore them in the next election. They simply refuse to vote. This is a psychological glitch in the Republican Party that is immeasurable. They hold their leaders to a higher standard because they trust them with so much more. When that trust has been broken, as it has with this present Administration, the Republican turnout is totally unpredictable. That is why the Democrats will take back the House and possibly the Senate this year.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. I disagree with a lot of what you said

I don't think Replublicans trust their leaders less, I think many of them make all their decisions on party lines. Therefore, if the leader is a Democrat, they automatically distrust them, and will make up reasons if they have to to do so. And they certainly refuse to criticize their Republican leaders, regardless of what happens. I also disagree that they hold their leaders to a higher standard - look at the excuses they make for Bush!

[napi21]

2. I think there's truth in both opinions here.

I also believe the end result of all you discussed is that Pubs, especially thesolid Pub base, will be that they will simply stay home on election day. I doubt they'll ever vote for a Dem. but when they get disgusted with the people they elected, they will simply stay home.

[Kiouni]

3. Wealthy?

It seems that any politician this day is absurdly rich regardless what party they affiliated with.

[sutz12]

4. The way I see it, in a sweeping generalization.....

Is that Republicans and RWers tend to trust individuals and dislike institutions, especially government ones.

OTOH, Democrats tend to expect institutions to protect them from the excesses of powerful individuals and corporations.

IMO, Republicans, maybe as a reflection of those religious values we so disparage, tend to trust their leaders more than Democrats do.