The Crisis of 'Sam's Club' Republicans

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 11, 2004 | Reihan Salam

[July 4th]

Bush's agenda is SPOT ON for the young republicans. Especially for those for whom paying social security tax is a BURDEN which at present will NEVER BE GIVEN BACK.

Like me. Every month I pay a significant chunk of my paycheck to something that - for me - doesn't exist. It is the epitome of a irresponsible government that plays fast and loose with my money and future.

[Recovering_Democrat]

...what President Bush apparently fails to grasp [is that to] win elections, the GOP increasingly relies on socially conservative voters of modest means.

This is a steaming pile of horse excrement. I am socially conservative of quite modest means and worked very hard for President Bush's re-election. I even gave from my "modest means"...and I don't need Reihan Salam's supposed wisdom to tell me this President doesn't care about my issues.

Instead, the time these pundits use denigrating the POTUS might be better used talking about how Chuck Hagel, Lincoln Chaffee and John McCain are hurting themselves and their party by acting like contrary little children. But then, that would make sense, wouldn't it?

[mvpel]

The rich still vote for Republicans in large numbers, but they're not the party's heart and soul.

Like a family here in Merrimack who saw thousands of dollars in tax savings on their $40,000 income, enough to put a new roof on their modest home, thanks to the Bush tax cuts.

[e5man_r_u?]

"kaged class warfare."

Yes, but a nice shiny package! Pay no attention to the contents just gaze are the package! /sarc

[okie01]

Reihan Salam and the LA Times have no idea who we are, do they?

No clue.

[RJL]

Here's a liberal pretending to be a conservative, giving us advise... we'll get right on it Reihan.

[thegreatbeast]

We were once known as Reagan Democrats.

[Clemenza]

Other than amnesty for illegals, I happen to LOVE Bush's second term agenda more than his first. No, I am NOT a millionaire, but will be one someday.

I think the great divide is with OLDER social conservatives in rural states and us younger college graduates who work in office parks in suburbia and exurbia on the economic issues.

[em2vn]

I am still wondering when "W" became a conservative. His take on social program spending and his position on illegal immigrants doesn't seem to be very conservative.
His statement that illegal immigrants only take jobs that Americans won't do is misguided and wrong.

[Nataku X]

I call BS on this unless someone can prove to me that the voting preferences of certain income groups have really changed.

[Clemenza]

It used to be that the GOP was stereotyped as a bunch of Thurston Howells or Judge Smails's. Now we are stereotyped as a bunch of American Splendor rejects.

[Clemenza]

His statement that illegal immigrants only take jobs that Americans won't do is misguided and wrong.

While I disagree with amnesty, I don't recall the President making that statement. Do you have a source?

[muir_redwoods]

The Republican party is not the party of the rich. It is the party of people who want to keep what they have already earned and get more.

[Clemenza]

Counties such as Westchester and Montgomery Counties may have a higher per capita income than other counties and vote Dem, but that is only because the cost of living is much higher (taxation, labor costs etc.). Places like New Canaan, CT, Bernardville, NJ, Newport Beach, CA still vote Republican. Wealthy white gentiles who earn their living outside of the government, the trial bar, and the entertainment industry still vote Republican.

When I worked in banking, I always found it funny how so many of my senior colleagues were Republican, but married liberal wives.

[Clemenza]

Amen to #33.

[Wonder Warthog]

"I am still wondering when "W" became a conservative. His take on social program spending and his position on illegal immigrants doesn't seem to be very conservative."

Well, he's certainly more conservative than any Republican President since Reagan, and of course, by comparison to his electoral opponent, the difference is astronomical.

[jpl]

What Pawlenty realized — and what President Bush apparently fails to grasp — is that the Republican Party has changed.

It's pretty hilarious hearing the crybaby losers claim that the winners have "failed to grasp" anything. Republicans need advice from the L.A. Times like I need a hole in the head.

[em2vn]

Agreed, but I'm not going to support everything that he does because he was the best we could do at the time. As a matter of fact, when did conservatives begin to dance to the tune that the politicians pipe?
Remember, something that conservatives have endorsed for decades is a smaller federal government. The President hasn't given any indication of moving toward a smaller less intrusive government. In fact he has been running full speed to increase the size of government.

[Redbob]

"... I don't agree with any thesis that says tax cuts benefit only the rich."

OF course not: they only benefit those who PAY taxes.
Which of course means that nearly have the country is unaffected by them.

[Nataku X]

Sounds about right. I'm also pretty sure that 2004 exit polling shows that income is a great predictor of who votes for whom. Nearly half of workers in America no longer pay federal taxes... ridiculous! We'd have a much smaller and much more conservative government if income tax day were moved to October, plus everyone had to pay a minimum on their income taxes. If not taxes--then community service.