Questions for Poly Republicans

[chequita guevara]

You know an Eisenhower Republican would clean up in this country.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Odin


My family considers themselves "Kennedy liberals" and they are nothing like you.

Odin, Catholics once sided by 9-1 with the Dems at the time of Kennedy. They now support the Republicans by 6-4. The shift is NOT accidental.

The point of departure I have with the Dems primarily concerns the issue of socialism. Kennedy clearly was no socialist as he was a 1) a patriot; and 2) was in favor of tax cuts to boost the economy. I also shared his views on Civil Rights, Federalism and the exploration of space as being in the national interest.

From your posts, Odin, I assume your parents continue to support the Dem party because they are for "unions" against "evil" corporations. I think, though, that many unions have come to realize that being too aggressive on demands leads only to a complete loss of jobs as the industry is decimated by foreign competition. Many union members actually support the more patriotic and pro-business climate Republican party.

In all things, there has to be moderation.

[Sava]

Many union members actually support the more patriotic and pro-business climate Republican party.

[chequita guevara]

The problem with moderation is when one side never moderates, and the other side always does, eventually they both end up in the same place.

Which is why this country is in the mess it is.

[Odin]

Originally posted by Ned

From your posts, Odin, I assume your parents continue to support the Dem party because they are for "unions" against "evil" corporations.

1. Yes, my family is pro-union

2. Most of my relatives are devout Lutherans, but they don't shove down thier beliefs down other peoples throats like the fundies, for example, they are very anti-abortion and dislike gay marrige, but think that that is a personal belief and it shouldn't be imposed upon others.

3. My family is fiscally liberal, almost socialist even, because of said religous beliefs.

[Mr. Harley]

As a registered Republican who voted almost totally Democratic in the last two elections, in a Bible Belt (religious fundamentalist) red state (redundant, I know), Imran's analysis is closest to the reality I see down here. By the way, Imran, I spent the second half of my childhood in NJ, in a place called Middletown. How close are you?

The RR has a lock on the Republican Party mechanisms, for a variety of reasons. The most important of which, and I have posted on this multiple times, is that they vote in primary elections, especially in off-Presidential years. The last I saw, the number of religious fundamentalists in the country was 21%, and I've just pulled up some figures of 15-18% believing that the rapture is coming (Google "rapture Christ" and you'll get 404,000 hits - they can explain it better than I can if you are not familiar).

Now lets accept those figures, at least the 21%. Now let's further figure that 90% of them are voting Republican. That is 18%. If the Republicans have 51% of the popular vote, that means that people who are members of the RR comprise 35% of Repblican voters. Now, in an off year (no Presidential race) primary, 7-21% of the voters (from memory). If you figure that RR tend to vote in double the numbers, due to conviction and the fact that their leadership consistantly pushes them to vote, you get roughly half the votes to win the primary. That's a pretty substantial number.

This results in 70% of the party platform committee being members of the RR, if again memory serves me correctly for the 2000 election. Republican candidates are kept in line by threats of having a contested primary. Even if they win it, having a contested primary makes you MUCH more likely to be defeated in the November election. So even moderate Republicans like Arlan Spectre can be made to toe the party line (google his name and the Judiciary committee, you'll get some stories if you haven't followed it.

In the South and Midwest these numbers are worse, in more northern states the percentage control of the RR is diluted. Nevertheless, as long as they are willing to vote, and compromise with the neocons over various financial and business issues, they will control the party. I don't see moderates taking back control of the party, instead I see them leaving it, but I hope I am wrong.

[DanS]

Now that Ashcroft is out, are there any members of the RR in Bush's cabinet or inner circle?

[TCO]

bla bla

[Imran Siddiqui]

By the way, Imran, I spent the second half of my childhood in NJ, in a place called Middletown. How close are you?

Toms River. So not all that far, actually.

[TCO]

What's Bridgewater like? Should I consider a job there? Anything important to know?

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's close to Scotch Plains and Plainfield, so it's in a pretty rich area. Steve Forbes is close by, IIRC. The area is very nice. Haven't been there, but I've been to Plainfield and horse barns in Watchung. Nice place to be.

Suburb like, kind of like the street you used to live in when you were in Atlanta, TCO (though it may be a bit more rural out in Bridgewater, not sure).

[TCO]

Frikking Jersey girls all have accents and don't act as sweat as southern girls tough. I was in culture shock in Newark airport.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'll take Jersey girls anyday though .

And what accent you talking about? Did I have an accent?

[TCO]

can't remember

[Imran Siddiqui]

And you only had one beer that night!

Though plenty of ice cream... that must have done it.