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.
The Demographics
How America Voted 2008
Obama (Dem)
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 currently hold a
majority in both houses of Congress.
But, the mid-term elections will be held
on 2 November 2010.
All 435 seats in the House and 36 in the
Senate are up for grabs. The polls
suggest that the Democrats will get a
thumping, perhaps as big as the defeat
suffered by Bill Clinton in 1994’s midterms.
Republican voters are angry and
motivated. Democrat voters are
disillusioned.
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: The Tea Party
The Tea Party was
created in 2009. It
began as a protest at
federal government
bail-outs for banks and
the car industry.
The Tea Party Movement
It is a grass roots group
within the Republican
Party which attempts to
mobilise voters behind
“Tea Party” Republicans.
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, and 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.
They are also distrustful of the
Government!
Support Base: “Angry White Men”
Able bodied white men are
the only group in the USA
who do not benefit from
affirmative action
programmes, 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 that 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 Med
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?
Nancy Pelosi, Democrat leader in
House of Representatives.
The Democrats
enjoy a majority in
both Houses of
Congress as well
as, of course,
having the
Presidency.
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: Labor Unions
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: Ethnic Minorities
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 has bounced back
from it’s defeat at the 2008 Presidential
and Congressional elections.
All Republicans are trying to convince the
American people that they are on the
side of “Joe the Plumber”, who came to
prominence in 2008. Joe the Plumber
works hard, pays his taxes, obeys the
law and doesn’t rely on Government.
The November mid terms are a big
opportunity for the Republicans to win
back control of the House of
representatives. Voters are unhappy at
President Obama’s performance; the cost
of health care, high unemployment,
negative home equity and the size of the
Government deficit.
Joe the Plumber
Looking further ahead, Sarah Palin could
be the party’s choice in 2012. For others,
Louisiana’s Governor, Bobby Jindal can
be the Republican’s Obama.