South may be shifting in Democrats' direction

[maddezmom]

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The racial divides that have buttressed Republican power in the South for decades appear to be crumbling in this year's elections, loosening the GOP's firm grip on the region, political analysts and independent pollsters say.

More Campaign '08 CoverageThe South is still culturally conservative, and the deep South in particular is still challenging territory for Democrats, political specialists say. But demographic changes - including a migration of voters from other regions, as well as an increase in education and racial tolerance among some younger residents - have given Barack Obama and other Democrats an opening this year and are likely to change the electoral map in future elections, they said.

"There's definitely a shift going on," especially in states with larger cities, said Harry L. Wilson, director of the Center for Community Research at Roanoke College in Virginia. "If the Democrats are going to win these states back, this is the year to do it. I'm not saying a Republican couldn't win back in 2012 or 2016, but they won't be able to take it for granted the way they have in the past."

The "Southern strategy," created by Richard Nixon's campaign in 1968, pitted white conservative voters against African-Americans, who had won landmark protections under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Once solid Democratic territory, the South became increasingly GOP-dominated, and except for Southern-born candidates such as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, the region has remained nearly impenetrable for Democratic presidential nominees. President Bush swept the South from Texas to Virginia in both 2000 and 2004.

more:http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/10/31/south_may_be_shifting_in_democrats_direction/

[Doctor_J]

1. I don't think we'll make substantial gains until the Limpballs Generation dies off

Everyone in the 40-60-year old range has spent most of his/her adult life on a diet of right-wing propaganda 24/7 from hate radio, cabal "news", and Scaife/Murdock fishwraps. As long as this cabal is still voting, they will hold sway in the Bible Belt

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

2. I think you're right...

...although the population is so mobile these days a lot of northerners are settling into at least some parts of the south. At some point, hopefully sooner than later, they may become the "critical mass" that (together with racial/ethnic minorities) shifts it to blue.

[Doctor_J]

3. I have oftem wondered why Georgia, with its large

black and gay populations (supposedly Atlanta is 2nd only to SF in the US in terms of gays) continues to elect vacuous wingers like Purdue, Chambliss, and Isaakson. The only reasonable explanation is cable "news" and hate radio.

[fencesitter]

4. Atlanta is like Austin in Texas.

Islands of progressivness.

[ensemble]

11. Yep...

Areas with a lot of Yankees: VA, NC, FL are in play, the rest are irrelevant.

[quickesst]

7. Pretty sad....

...but we understand that stereotyping is not prevalent among the vast majority here. Most exert little effort not to be swayed by it.



"I don't think we'll make substantial gains until the Limpballs Generation dies off
"EVERYONE in the 40-60-year old range has spent most of his/her adult life on a diet of right-wing propaganda 24/7 from hate radio, cabal "news", and Scaife/Murdock fishwraps. As long as this cabal is still voting, they will hold sway in the Bible Belt."

It is at times, somewhat amusing, entertaining, and disturbing to hear this sort of stereotyping from the right. It is even more disturbing when it comes from the supposed progressive left. Too bad for you and others who think like this, but I don't plan on dying any time soon, and as for your aim to deter southern democrats from voting for Obama, too late for me. I voted for Barak yesterday. Thanks.
quickesst

[Number_Six]

9. And massive propaganda dosages from...

Free You-Know-what dot whatever. I was verbally assaulted earlier today, loads of "He was born", "there's this lawsuit", "He's registered in two nations as...."

"I see you frequent Freeperville, dude."

It'll be a while, y'all.

[nancyinnc]

5. 40 to 60?

I'm 60, white and a native southerner. I voted for Obama. I think a lot depends on your educational and socio economic level.

[VaYallaDawg]

6. Welcome to DU Nancy!

Like you, I'm over 60 (in my case, waaaaay over!) - native southerner, and I can hardly wait to vote for Obama/Biden next Tuesday!!

[psychmommy]

8. the cost of living is cheaper in the south.

my father and many others have relocated after retirement. you would be surprised how many relocated northerners are there. there are military bases all over the south. it would not shock me to see obama take virginia, georgia and n carolina. it would be lovely to get some dem senators also. don't underestimate our southern brethern, i think they will represent.

[MasonJar]

10. As to Georgia, Chambliss and Perdue definitely stole those elections

in 2002. They were considerably behind before the owner of Deibold came to town to "fix" the machines. The GOPers no longer have a party with ideas, only ideologies, and the different factions do NOT even like each other. So the Pugs only chance/choice is to cheat and steal. That is one area they have sufficiently mastered. They are no longer even subtle and so finally if the dems will stand up this next session, the American people might get their precious right to vote back.