Dean's "GOP=White Christians" statement as Empirical Data

[NAO]

There has been much discussion of Dean's "White Christian" statement - whether or not it was appropriate, if it will have negative and/or positive impacts as it plays out, etc.

What has not been mentioned, AFAIK, is that it is a factually sound statement based on solid empirical research. Polling consistently shows that the STRONGEST correlate of being a Republican is...being a white evangelical Christian. That result has been duplicated over and over and is a solid empirical fact.

Why have none of the pundits recognized this and pointed out that from a factual standpoint, Dean is essentially correct?

[rkc3]

1. Mere factual evidence has not gotten in the way in the past.

It's not likely it will aid in rescuing Gov. Dean.

[mike_c]

2. facts are so inconvenient....

Why let a little thing like the truth get in the way of a good political arse-drubbing?

[quiet.american]

3. Same dynamic as "Mary Cheney is gay."

Amazing how when you shine the light of truth on these creatures of the dark, how much they recoil.

[CottonBear]

4. Heck, Just look at photos of the GOP convention: at least 98% white.

The only minorites and non-Xtians are the ones that the GOP parades about on stage at the convention or puts on stage with * at those "town hall meetings." Granted, there are a few Black, Hispanic, Asian and East Indian GOP members. I don't think that there are many Jews, Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists.

Out of all the Republicans that I know personally, all are white Xtians (one guy is hispanic) and one woman is Jewish. All the rest are WASPs.

[louis-t]

6. I love the remark someone made after the convention:

that there was only one black man there and he was exhausted from running back and forth trying to get 'on camera'.

[CottonBear]

10. LOL! n/t

[dogday]

5. The Truth, In Washington The Truth Could Hurt You....

It's a shame that when the truth is spoken, it inflames and insults those who hear it. What does that say? We only speak what people want to hear? Since when did the truth become so dangerous in this country?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

7. Pew Charitable trust data

Only 8% of African Americans vote Republican, so the "white" part of the statement is resoundingly true. The simple fact is that the Republican Party skews heavily toward White Male Evangelican Christians.

Note: A cool source of information is the American Religion Data Archine -- a treasure trove of polling data. www.thearda.com

[SemperEadem]

8. answer: because that'd be too much like right

question: "Why have none of the pundits recognized this and pointed out that from a factual standpoint, Dean is essentially correct?"

[killbotfactory]

9. Just take a picture of their convention floor

It's a sea of whitey

[theboss]

11. What bothers me is I'm white and Christian

I'm not sure I want that to be used in a negative sense.

[NAO]

13. I think Dean was bashing intolerance and hegemony, not white Christians

Dean's remarks, in context, imply that the GOP is unfriendly and intolerant of other races and other faiths while the Democrats are more inclusive.

[walkon]

12. It is a factually sound statement...

That is the problem.

No pundit is allowed to think for themselves and, in fact, have contractually agreed to give up that option. They speak for pay and always do as they are told.