Republicans and Democrats
WHO ARE THEIR CORE VOTERS?
2008 Presidential election results
The standard presidential
map shows the
“Democratic” states in
blue and the “Republican”
states in red
It is misleading in two
ways. Firstly a candidate
can win a state narrowly
(as Obama did in North
Carolina, getting 49.9%
of the vote to McCain’s
45.5%) and get all the
state coloured in their
colour. Secondly, it would
appear from a first glance
the Republicans won the
election as there is more
red on the map than blue.
But, Obama won the
states with the biggest
Electoral College Votes
and ECVs are based on a
state’s population, not its
geographical size
The Purple Map
The Purple Map shows
the percentage of votes
each candidate won in
each state
This gives a more
accurate account of how
popular each
party/candidate was.
In total Obama won
66,882,230 (53%) votes
to McCain’s 58,343,671
(46%), not the
overwhelming defeat for
the Republicans many
made it out to be
How America Voted Obama (Dem)
2008
McCain (Rep)
Whites
43%
55%
Hispanics
66
31
African Americans
95
4
Women
56
43
Men
49
49
Under 30s
66
31
White Evangelicals
25
73
Roman Catholics
54
46
Those earning above
$200,000
53
45
Congress 2008
The Democrats now hold a
majority in both houses of
Congress
More bad news for the
Republicans
Who are the Republicans?
In 2008 the Republicans lost control of
the presidency and both houses of
Congress
Obamamania partly explains the
Presidential defeat but the state of the
economy and the unpopularity of the
war in Iraq were also factors.
Voters also rejected the Karl Rove
agenda of Guns, God and Gays which
had been so successful in clobbering the
Democrats in the past
Long term demographic problems for the Republicans
Support base: White Christians
Republicans have a strong support base among White
Christian voters who disapprove of “liberal” causes
such as abortion rights and gay marriage . Christian
activists have also campaigned against the teaching of
evolution in schools and have lobbied Republican
politicians to support them in these causes.
In 2008, Presidential candidate John McCain won the
support of Christian groups, but their support was not
as strong as for previous Republican candidates for the
Presidency. McCain was seen by many Christian
activists as too liberal.
Support base: Corporate America
Traditionally the Republican Party is
supported by big business.
The Republicans are opposed to “big
Government” and support issues
such as low taxes and free trade.
The problem is taxes have been cut,
worker protections have been
reduced, the free market has been
given a freer hand
After the banking crisis and the
credit crunch, many ordinary
Americans are sceptical about big
business running America
Support Base: “Angry White Men”
Able bodied white men are
the only group in the USA
who do not benefit from
affirmative action, which
Republicans tend to oppose
Republicans, in general, are
opposed to “political
correctness”, for example
minority rights, something
white males are more likely to
oppose too
Angry White Male: Falling Down
Support Base: The South
The Democrats haven’t won
Southern states at
presidential elections since
the party supported the
civil rights movement in the
1960s.
It is claimed there is a
new cultural war
between the God Fearing
“Jesusland” Southern
states and the rest of the
USA which is more
liberal.
Southern Road Trip USA
White voters in the
South are more likely to
feel the Republicans are
the party which best
represents them.
The Republican Media
Neal Boortz on Obama’s tax plans
Rush Limbaugh
America prides itself on the 1st amendment freedom of
speech. There are a massive variety of talk show and shockjock shows where Republican minded talk show hosts can
voice conservative viewpoints. Often these shows are
syndicated across the entire nation. Naturally, they have
websites too.
Who are the Democrats?
The Democrats enjoy
a majority in both
Houses of Congress as
well as, of course,
having the Presidency.
Obama’s Health care
reforms
Nancy Pelosi, Democrat
leader in House of
Representatives
Democrats, in
general, tend to be
more liberal on social
issues and believe in a
bigger role for
government in the
economy, for
example, in providing
health insurance
Support Base:
The trade unions
in America are a
strong base of
support for the
Democrats. The
Democrats are
much more
likely to support
workers rights
and issues such
as the national
minimum wage.
Obama: I believe in Unions
Support Base:
Racial minorities, especially
African Americans are strong
supporters of the Democrats
Traditionally, they have been more
likely to be poor and therefore
more likely to depend on the
government support which
Democratic politicians are more
likely to support
Support Base: Liberals
Those Americans who are environmentalists,
anti-war, support a woman’s right to choose
abortion or support gay marriage are
termed “liberals”. They are highly unlikely to
vote Republican and the Democrats is their
normal political home.
Barack Obama on Gay Marriage
The Democratic Media
Al Franken on Letterman
The Future for the Republicans?
The Republican Party is having to
review why the party did so badly
in the 2008 elections
For some, Sarah Palin can win in
2012. For others, Louisiana’s
Governor, Bobby Jindal can be the
Republican’s Obama.
All republicans are trying to
convince the American people that
they are on the side of “Joe the
Plumber”, the hard working
American who plays by the rules
Joe the Plumber
“The Republican Party is in a world of pain. It’s just a circular firing squad with everybody attacking
each other and no coherent belief system, no leaders”. David Brooks, republican newspaper columnist