A recent Pew Research survey showing Republicans are making serious gains in “leaned party identification” among white voters, particularly those under 30 and those “earning less than $30,000 annually”. Yet, as my friend John Hinderaker noted, they have failed to make similar headway among ethnic minorities. He offers “two possible explanations” :
The first is that poorer whites see their fortunes as tied to the economy, while poorer African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to see their fortunes as tied to government support. Thus, hard economic times may only cement their loyalty to those who promise more government benefits.
This theory may be partially correct, but it can’t account for the whole phenomenon, since large majorities of African-Americans and Hispanics are not poor, but are middle-income or better. Likewise, the fact that African-Americans (but not, to my knowledge, Hispanics) are more likely than whites to be public employees can be, at most, a partial explanation.
The second possibility is that Republicans haven’t done a good enough job of competing for the votes of these minorities. This is, of course, a discussion of long standing in Republican circles.
It would be interesting to see if there has been any shift among gay voters in the past two years. Surely, gay entrepreneurs feel the impact of increasing regulation and prefer policies which give them greater freedom to operate their enterprises.
But, does the perception that social conservative dominate the GOP prevent gays businessmen and women (less attuned than we to the increasing economic focus of the GOP) from choosing the party which better represents their economic concerns?
As to the racial minority issue, wonder how Democratic attempts (with the active assistance of the mainstream media) to portray Republicans as obsessed with “persecuting . . . anyone who’s (sic) skin is brown” (to borrow an expression of a liberal Facebook friend of a liberal friend).
A recent poll suggests that young Hispanic voters share Republicans’ economic views. But, are they aware that the GOP favors cutting government spending and reducing the taxes on businesses? Michael Barone has more on that poll.
I agree that Republicans need do a better job of reaching out to ethnic minorities. That poll of young Hispanics suggests that party leaders don’t need to pander to win their votes, but merely to make clear what the party stands for and to act as it stands.
What is clear is something not always manifest in the polls on the presidential election. Conservatives are winning the battle of ideas. It’s now up to Republicans to govern accordingly — and to make their case to all Americans, regardless of their ethnic background — or sexual orientation.
Dan, the salient question would seem to be just how long does it take to wean those who’ve spent generations (in some cases) dependent upon the government’s largesse, and the ability of that government’s forced benefactors to continually fund a segment of this nation who are only now beginning to realize the rewards of self-sufficiency?
Recession aside, it is refreshing to see that our current president, buy his own damnable example, is demonstrating that success cannot come from without – it must come from within.
With DADT repealed and DOMA looking like it will be repealed shortly, will that change the political outlook of the gay left population? After all, the gay left is a pretty self-centered crowd. Once they get what they want, will they stay will the liberals? Or will they now concentrate on finances as combined incomes push couples into the rich ($250.000+) and targeted income groups?
What are your thoughts on the homophobia in minority populations and it’s effect on minority party re-alignment? Will those people within in the minorities that are opposed to same gender marriage, re-align with conservatives?
Seems both gay and minority party re-alignment are dependent on money. One keeping more of their own and one wanting more of someone else’s.
@2 TnnsNE1,
Ethnic minorities such as Hispanics and Middle Easterners are very homophobic culturally and religiously. Their cultures and social upbringing is rife with virulent anti-semitism (Jew-hatred), homophobia (anti-gay), and racism towards non-brown skin color people; which is a ridiculous idea because skin color is just a simple biological pigment (for Christ’s sakes).
I am strongly opposed to illegal migration and foreign laws like Islamic Sharia Law and Aztec Law from being used in American Courts of Law. Sharia and Aztec Law call for the physical beating and murder of homosexuals.
I believe that the State of California is the “New Israel.” A State with a large population of Jews and homosexuals and I feel concerned that racist Hispanic and Middle Eastern street thugs are more likely to persecute homosexuals and Jews who live in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.
Here is an alarming thought: What will stop rogue factions of Mexican Drug Cartels from converting into the “NEW HAMAS” who would be readying and willing TO LAUNCH ROCKETS FROM MEXICO’S BORDER INTO SAN FRANCISCO, CA AND LOS ANGELES, CA; LARGE CITIES HOME TO A LARGE JEWISH AND GAY POPULATION?
What would stop “Mexican Cartels/Hezbollah” from creating factions in the California State Legislature, i.e. Lebanon to enforce foreign Sharia/Aztec Law? I bet you that La Raza/CAIR would be “SILENT” on that issue. Silence equals complicity.
Here is another thought: I’m a young gay American man who has some relatives in the U.S. Military and if I were in a romantic relationship with a handsome Jewish American man who was a part of the Israeli Defense Forces, would the “Islamic Mexi-California State” morality police hunt us down and execute us on cherry pickers? I bet you La Raza/CAIR and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would be “SILENT” and not stand up for our civil rights as a gay couple. Silence equals complicity equals genuine anti-semitism and homophobia.
I live in a socialistic people’s republic (Santa Fe, NM). I was out to dinner with two gay acquaintances (I’ve only lived here 2 months), and one bemoaned the fact he is a second class citizen, and the other did left wing feely touchy work in a health care situation. Face facts, Republicans will never do well with gays and lesbians because they are “compassionate” and care about the “downtrodden.” This all leads into the cocoon of self pity and self flaggelation which the Democrats feed into. No amount of good politics will change that.