Reagan Dems and Independents.... Yes, the spot worked. Yes, they believed the charges against Obama. Yes, they actually think he's too liberal, consorts with bad people and WON'T BE A GOOD PRESIDENT...but they STILL don't give a f***. They said right out, "He won't do anything better than McCain" but they're STILL voting for Obama....What I took from that at the time was that people probably were going to vote for any Democrat against any Republican that year. This year, any Republican -- and Trump really tested that premise -- was probably going to beat the Democrat.
The next was a woman, late 50s, Democrat but strongly pro-life. Loved B. and H. Clinton, loved Bush in 2000. "Well, I don't know much about this terrorist group Barack used to be in with that Weather guy but..."
But it probably doesn't represent a permanent realignment of the sort people are talking about, hopelessly or breathlessly as they imagine it relating to their own preferences. Likely as not, the electorate will prove just as unreasonable again in four years, or eight, or twelve. It seems to come up now and then that they just decide to make a change in party control, regardless of how good or bad the particular candidate from that party happens to be.
I've often thought that, "TAKE *THAT*, YOU MISERABLE *&^%$#!" should be on the official ballot in every state :p
ReplyDeleteSome sort of "vote of no confidence" option would make sense.
ReplyDeleteI've often thought that, "TAKE *THAT*, YOU MISERABLE *&^%$#!" should be on the official ballot in every state.
ReplyDeleteThat would win at least a plurality in most places on the ballot.
I suspect any other Republican might have been trounced. I say that because the vote shifts just can't reasonably be assigned to any kind of traditional Republican policy. Trump got votes by acting outside the box and speaking for everyone's id, even mine.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the remarkable shift toward Republicans in Congress and in the state legislatures and governorships tells a different story.
I'd love to see a realignment along big/small government lines, but I'm afraid instead we're probably headed toward a realignment along populist lines, mostly focused on trade barriers. Nevertheless, I'm inexpressibly relieved about the prospects for Supreme Court nominations, as well as reining in a number of crazy federal agencies.
ReplyDeleteLeftist propaganda and Alt Right support is worth about 5-10 points.
Traditional Republican policy is too weak to convince people. Trum got less popular votes than Romney, meaning it wasn't the amount of people that mattered but where they were. That is accounted for by propaganda and manipulation, as well as the numerous promises made from conservative focus groups and polls and emails.