Is the GOP losing its core supporters?

[chamaeleo]

Also charming, how the woman asks her husband who she's voting for...


So a canvasser goes to a woman's door in Washington, Pennsylvania. Knocks. Woman answers. Knocker asks who she's planning to vote for. She isn't sure, has to ask her husband who she's voting for. Husband is off in another room watching some game. Canvasser hears him yell back, "We're votin' for the n***er!"

Woman turns back to canvasser, and says brightly and matter of factly: "We're voting for the n***er."

In this economy, racism is officially a luxury. How is John McCain going to win if he can't win those voters? John Murtha's "racist" western Pennsylvania district, where this story takes place, is some of the roughest turf in the nation. But Barack Obama is on the ground and making inroads due to unusually strong organizing leadership.

In Washington County, a bellwether in this traditional swing state that John Kerry carried by a mere 552 votes out of over 96,000 cast, the Obama campaign's mood is optimistic but very cautious. The campaign has registered over 4,000 new voters in this county, and enough statewide since the primary season to push the Democratic registration edge to over 1.2 million.

source:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

[Samuel Adams]

Well that's certainly an interesting dialog.

The GOP has lost core voters for a very simple reason: Policy 180.

GW Bush carried the conservative vote in 2000 on a no-nation building, non-interventionist foreign policy, and inherited a large surplus in the budget. He was pro-life and pro-2nd amendment. He ran on barely a more liberal ticket than Ron Paul, who was ironically blackballed in the GOP primaries by his big-government counterparts and a majority of the same voter base who had the same views only 7 years prior.

The GOP has switched directions, going from a republican view to a totalitarian one. The size of federal government has grown exponentially, civil rights have been obstructed wholesale on a scale never before seen, and so the only people still loyal to the GOP are:

#1) The card carrying jackbooters who think the GOP are demi-gods
#2) Those who are so scared they may be killed by a muslim they cower in fear and think the GOP's massive legislation will somehow help them
#3) Those ignorant enough to think the GOP is still 'conservative' in any way, shape, or form
#4) Those who are just voting for 'the lesser of two weevils.'

Many swung Democrat to rock the boat, many are voting 3rd party, and most unfortunately fail to see what's fundamentally wrong with the 'Republican' (laughable name for them, btw) party these days.

[Thanatos]

They lost many Republicans a long time ago. Many people have turned to the Libertarian party, the American Independent party, or have actually turned Democrat because of their disgust with the GOP under the Bush Administration.

[morteduzionism]

Their base now consists of zealots. They're becoming the party of loonies...all of those people at the extreme right.

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

The credibility that the GOP achieved with the public during the Reagan era was completely destroyed by GWB, and the effects are now being felt.

[Mikelus Trento]

I think Joe the Plumber and those rednecks on the motorcycle still support the Gone Old Party.

[Frankie88]

Could some one explain to me what the GOP is

[The Dude]

Could some one explain to me what the GOP is

"Grand Ol' Party", nickname for the Republican Party.

[Mikelus Trento]

Could some one explain to me what the GOP is

It means Grand Old Party and is the Republicans.

[The Dude]

So what I'm wondering is, if former GOP supporters are now spreading to other political parties, can we expect those to be playing significant roles in future elections?

Since basically forever the elections have pretty much only been about republicans vs democrats. Presidential debates don't even include presidential nominees from other parties because they're absolutely miniscule.

Would it be good for the american political world if elections became a multiple party affair, like in Europe?

[Mikelus Trento]

I think we should have MANY parties fairly and equally covered by the media.

I also think all candidates (who achieve a threshold of viability as a candidate) would all share from the same donation pool and by law have to spend equal amounts.

I also wish there was feasible way to minimize the media pundits from making the news vs reporting it.

I would like to see the electoral college done away with, and all primaries on the same day, nationwide.

[Viking Prince]

Maybe you simply are unhappy with how the system works, but I do not see how these proposals will improve things.

I think we should have MANY parties fairly and equally covered by the media.

Name one party or one candidate of one party that has a right to media coverage. Where does this right to coverage come from?

I also think all candidates (who achieve a threshold of viability as a candidate) would all share from the same donation pool and by law have to spend equal amounts.

Why should any candidate by virtue of being a candidate have a claim on any political donation that I make unless I make it to them?

I also wish there was feasible way to minimize the media pundits from making the news vs reporting it.

Commentary is the product of the pundits --- this is not news reporting. Is there a problem with free speech? Do you wish to restrict free speech?

I would like to see the electoral college done away with, and all primaries on the same day, nationwide.

The political parties choose their own system and schedule of nominating candidates. Not an issue of government how any private organization chooses how to gather, speak, or whit whom to associate.

It seems you have blasted nearly every one of the first ten amendments to the constitution. Any particular reason why you wish to eliminate the bill of rights?

[Mikelus Trento]

Maybe you simply are unhappy with how the system works, but I do not see how these proposals will improve things.



Name one party or one candidate of one party that has a right to media coverage. Where does this right to coverage come from?



Why should any candidate by virtue of being a candidate have a claim on any political donation that I make unless I make it to them?



Commentary is the product of the pundits --- this is not news reporting. Is there a problem with free speech? Do you wish to restrict free speech?



The political parties choose their own system and schedule of nominating candidates. Not an issue of government how any private organization chooses how to gather, speak, or whit whom to associate.

It seems you have blasted nearly every one of the first ten amendments to the constitution. Any particular reason why you wish to eliminate the bill of rights?

Any particular reason you are putting words in my mouth?

To summarize all your questions into one answer....To allow more choice in candidates than from the 2 main parties. Surely there have to be other qualified folks who might wind up better than what the 2 parties funnel us.

If you prefer the current method of allowing the candidate with the most money, or the one the pundits favor the most, continue to be the method that determines our leader, fine and dandy.

All I'm saying there surely has to be a better way that would very likely result in other good candidates.

[André Masséna]

No one supports either party. We just have no other options at this point in time. We need a third party or more.

I'm sick of choosing between a corrupt Republican and an Idiot Democrat.

I would like to see the electoral college done away with, and all primaries on the same day, nationwide

You do realize WHY we have the Electoral college right?

[Samuel Adams]

No one supports either party. We just have no other options at this point in time. We need a third party or more.

I'm sick of choosing between a corrupt Republican and an Idiot Democrat.

You do realize WHY we have the Electoral college right?

I do think it would be funny if at the last minute people went out and voted a 3rd party into office. Will it ever happen? Not this election. But oh to see the look on the faces of the candidates when state after state goes green or purple or whatever. lol

[Mythre]

The GOP is not a party of crazies. I consider myself a republican. Thus the GOP is not crazy...... lol
Really though, both sides got a lot of crazies. I am perfectly willing to vote for a Democrat..... except i have yet to see a Democrat i agree with on anything. Except Lieberman and they kicked him out of the Democratic party....

[touchmaster]

Except Lieberman and they kicked him out of the Democratic party....

EL OH EL

[wilpuri]

Is the GOP losing its core supporters?

About bloody time. Too bad they don't have any real alternatives, except for some minor candidates who 90% of Americans have never heard of and never will.

[Mikelus Trento]

No one supports either party. We just have no other options at this point in time. We need a third party or more.

I'm sick of choosing between a corrupt Republican and an Idiot Democrat.

You do realize WHY we have the Electoral college right?

Yes I do, and there are as many arguements saying why using it can lead to false situations, just like the popular vote method can also.

[morteduzionism]

I don't think it'd be good for the rest of the world if the US had a coalition style govt or "MANY" parties...

Most of you might look at Reps/Dems as being two sides of the same coin and you might be right...but...

There're some serious nuts in this country and I don't think some of you want them to become the president (out of the few powers (s)he has one of them is command of the military)...