The 21st century Republican Party is designed to attract voters who are conservative and (a) white, or (b) old, or (c) religious, or (d) rural, or (e) all of the above. As percentages of the total U.S. population, the demographic groups that dominate the GOP are shrinking or, at best, stagnant.
If the GOP wants to remain a national (rather than regional) force, it's absolutely critical that its core constituents turn out en masse on election day. Among people who are old, white, rural, religious conservatives, fear and hate are powerful motivating forces. The GOP goal is to make sure the base is constantly agitated and itching to vote. Party leaders relentlessly pound on issues like gun control and the war on Jesus to make sure their single-issue voters are lining up at the polls.
This has been a bad hair week for Republicans on the issues. First it was racism and the Confederate flag. Then it was the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in favor of Obamacare. Now the Supremes have upheld same sex marriage.
On the plus side, the Republican base will definitely be itching to vote next year.
If the GOP wants to remain a national (rather than regional) force, it's absolutely critical that its core constituents turn out en masse on election day. Among people who are old, white, rural, religious conservatives, fear and hate are powerful motivating forces. The GOP goal is to make sure the base is constantly agitated and itching to vote. Party leaders relentlessly pound on issues like gun control and the war on Jesus to make sure their single-issue voters are lining up at the polls.
This has been a bad hair week for Republicans on the issues. First it was racism and the Confederate flag. Then it was the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in favor of Obamacare. Now the Supremes have upheld same sex marriage.
On the plus side, the Republican base will definitely be itching to vote next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment