General Politics Why is the GOP so popular?

Prison Bitch · 02-07-2013, 08:01 PM

At the state level? (Yes yes - self congratulatory pat on the back for my epic thread 10 days ago about the GOP being in fine shape here: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=269387).

Opinion
»

PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 7, 2013 12:01 AM EST
UPDATED: FEBRUARY 6, 2013 11:25 PM EST
Jonah Goldberg: Why GOP succeeds at state level

Jonah Goldberg

The Republicans are doomed. Conservatism is over. President Barack Obama is conducting a mop-up operation at this point.

That's the basic consensus in places like New York City, Washington, D.C., and other citadels of blue America.

And let's be fair, liberals have every reason to gloat -- a little. The GOP has its troubles. Long-term demographic trends; often-irrational animosity from Hollywood, the media and academia; a thumbless grasp of the culture on the part of many Republicans: All of these things create a headwind for the party and the broader conservative movement.

But here's the weird part. That's all true of presidential politics, but less so when it comes to state politics or even other federal races. In 2010, the GOP had its best performance in congressional races since 1938.

In North Carolina, a state that is supposed to represent the trends benefiting Democrats -- it's attracting liberal Northern transplants, immigrants, high-tech workers, etc. -- the GOP now has veto-proof majorities in the state House and Senate. Last November, North Carolina became the 30th state with a GOP governor.

What gives?

There are a lot of possible explanations that are not mutually exclusive. Obama is more popular than his party. Mitt Romney was less popular than the ideas he had such a hard time expressing. Presidential electorates are different.

This last one is definitely true when you compare who voted in 2010 and who voted in 2012. The 2010 electorate was older and whiter. The Obama coalition of 2012 included younger voters, minorities and so-called "low-information voters."

No matter the merits of these observations, they don't fully explain why Republicans are doing so well on the policy front. In states as diverse as Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas and a half-dozen others, Republicans have been implementing impressive -- even miraculous -- reforms.

In pro-Obama Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker beat back a historic attack from organized labor. And Michigan -- Michigan! -- recently became a right-to-work state, which I'm pretty sure is mentioned in the AFL-CIO's bylaws as a sign of the end times.

I think an overlooked part of the story is the fact that Americans tend to see federal and local governments differently. At the local level, people seem to have a better grasp that it's their tax dollars at work. They are far more sensitive to tax increases and more easily outraged by spending boondoggles. They understand the importance of sustainable economic growth.

At the local level, this fact benefits Republicans.......

http://www.goerie.com/article/201302...at-state-level

**BigRedChief** · 02-07-2013, 08:02 PM

one word....... gerrymandering

Prison Bitch · 02-07-2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

one word....... gerrymandering

They were able to gerrymander their way to 30 governorships? Damn. Even you would admit, that's quite an amazing feat.

**petegz28** · 02-07-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

one word....... gerrymandering

Oh FFS. Anytime the Democrats don't win at something it's always because the other guy cheated.

BucEyedPea · 02-07-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

one word....... gerrymandering

Which is the result of elections.

Prison Bitch · 02-07-2013, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Which is the result of elections.

This is what happens to them when they get their news from Rachel Maddow & Kos.

BucEyedPea · 02-07-2013, 09:16 PM

I am not sure I agree entirely with Jonah Goldberg here. I think more people are disgusted with both parties at the national level. Since Jonah is a NeoCon, he's blind to how most people feel about the constant warfare. That comes out of DC politics.

Look what this shows using Republicans, Democrats or Obama. It's what does the internet think of them.

66% negative for Rs but 83% negative for Democrats. Congress has a negativity of 96.5% and Obama's negativity is 74%. I realize it's not scientific but ...there have been other polls showing disgust at both parties. There never seems to be a poll as to why.

Oh and Ron Paul got 17.9% negative but 81% positive !

BucEyedPea · 02-07-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

This is what happens to them when they get their news from Rachel Maddow & Kos.

...and moveon.org.

Prison Bitch · 02-07-2013, 09:19 PM

This story cannot be trusted. It did not originate on Msnbc or PBS.

suzzer99 · 02-07-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

Oh FFS. Anytime the Democrats don't win at something it's always because the other guy cheated.

And any time the Republicans don't win at something it's always because of the moocher class that just wants to leech off the government. It's never because their ideas suck, or their racist rhetoric turns off more than nalf the nation. Nope just the moochers. Well that and the liberal ivory tower eggheads. With their stupid education and fancy book learnin'.

Pitt Gorilla · 02-07-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

They were able to gerrymander their way to 30 governorships? Damn. Even you would admit, that's quite an amazing feat.

Is 30 impressive? I mean, if 5 changed hands, they'd be even.

go bowe · 02-07-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Is 30 impressive? I mean, if 5 changed hands, they'd be even.

there are more sparsely populated red state governors than blue state governors and christie is one of the blue state governors...

BucEyedPea · 02-07-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Is 30 impressive? I mean, if 5 changed hands, they'd be even.

Yes it is. Five changing would be a lot. I mean there's only 50 states.

jjjayb · 02-07-2013, 11:56 PM

Not as much influence from Hollywood and the cable news networks on the local races.

GoChargers · 02-08-2013, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

one word....... gerrymandering

You mean the same gerrymandering that the DNC does just as much when they get into power?

This isn't a partisan thing, it's yet another corrupt politician thing that both major parties are equally complicit in.

02-07-2013, 08:01 PM
Prison Bitch Veteran Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Lees summit Casino cash: $19937	Why is the GOP so popular? At the state level? (Yes yes - self congratulatory pat on the back for my epic thread 10 days ago about the GOP being in fine shape here: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=269387). Opinion » PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 7, 2013 12:01 AM EST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 6, 2013 11:25 PM EST Jonah Goldberg: Why GOP succeeds at state level Jonah Goldberg The Republicans are doomed. Conservatism is over. President Barack Obama is conducting a mop-up operation at this point. That's the basic consensus in places like New York City, Washington, D.C., and other citadels of blue America. And let's be fair, liberals have every reason to gloat -- a little. The GOP has its troubles. Long-term demographic trends; often-irrational animosity from Hollywood, the media and academia; a thumbless grasp of the culture on the part of many Republicans: All of these things create a headwind for the party and the broader conservative movement. But here's the weird part. That's all true of presidential politics, but less so when it comes to state politics or even other federal races. In 2010, the GOP had its best performance in congressional races since 1938. In North Carolina, a state that is supposed to represent the trends benefiting Democrats -- it's attracting liberal Northern transplants, immigrants, high-tech workers, etc. -- the GOP now has veto-proof majorities in the state House and Senate. Last November, North Carolina became the 30th state with a GOP governor. What gives? There are a lot of possible explanations that are not mutually exclusive. Obama is more popular than his party. Mitt Romney was less popular than the ideas he had such a hard time expressing. Presidential electorates are different. This last one is definitely true when you compare who voted in 2010 and who voted in 2012. The 2010 electorate was older and whiter. The Obama coalition of 2012 included younger voters, minorities and so-called "low-information voters." No matter the merits of these observations, they don't fully explain why Republicans are doing so well on the policy front. In states as diverse as Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas and a half-dozen others, Republicans have been implementing impressive -- even miraculous -- reforms. In pro-Obama Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker beat back a historic attack from organized labor. And Michigan -- Michigan! -- recently became a right-to-work state, which I'm pretty sure is mentioned in the AFL-CIO's bylaws as a sign of the end times. I think an overlooked part of the story is the fact that Americans tend to see federal and local governments differently. At the local level, people seem to have a better grasp that it's their tax dollars at work. They are far more sensitive to tax increases and more easily outraged by spending boondoggles. They understand the importance of sustainable economic growth. At the local level, this fact benefits Republicans....... http://www.goerie.com/article/201302...at-state-level
Posts: 2,937

02-07-2013, 08:02 PM	#2
BigRedChief Brainwashed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Swims with fishes Casino cash: $2265132	one word....... gerrymandering __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 37,930

02-07-2013, 09:16 PM	#7
BucEyedPea Frazod Loves Hammy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $49098	I am not sure I agree entirely with Jonah Goldberg here. I think more people are disgusted with both parties at the national level. Since Jonah is a NeoCon, he's blind to how most people feel about the constant warfare. That comes out of DC politics. Look what this shows using Republicans, Democrats or Obama. It's what does the internet think of them. 66% negative for Rs but 83% negative for Democrats. Congress has a negativity of 96.5% and Obama's negativity is 74%. I realize it's not scientific but ...there have been other polls showing disgust at both parties. There never seems to be a poll as to why. Oh and Ron Paul got 17.9% negative but 81% positive ! __________________ "In government, the scum rises to the top."~ Hayek
Posts: 46,600

02-07-2013, 09:19 PM	#9
Prison Bitch Veteran Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Lees summit Casino cash: $19937	This story cannot be trusted. It did not originate on Msnbc or PBS.
Posts: 2,937

02-07-2013, 11:56 PM	#14
jjjayb Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Back in K.C. baby!!!! Casino cash: $1035429	Not as much influence from Hollywood and the cable news networks on the local races.
Posts: 4,373

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