Rethinking Red States (Can Democrats Compete in the South?)

The Washington Post ^ | Monday, July 24, 2006 | Shailagh Murray

[MinorityRepublican]

If you want to understand why Democrats are the minority party in Congress, look at four states: Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky. Before the 1994 elections, when Democrats still controlled both chambers, these Southern states had 24 Democratic House members and 14 Republicans. Among senators, there were five Republicans and three Democrats.

Today, there are 24 GOP House members and 15 Democrats, and all eight senators are Republicans.

Democrats acknowledge that their prospects for regaining control are dim until they start winning elections in this region. Several of this year's races are lab experiments in this effort, with Democrats testing new types of candidates, messages and media.

They hope to underscore that they do not fit stereotypes of Democrats as cultural liberals, and they hope to win voters with mix of economic populism and traditional values. There is talk of raising the minimum wage and creating more jobs, but little about abortion or gun control.

Phil Kellam, who is challenging Rep. Thelma D. Drake in Virginia's 2nd District, is airing a TV ad that calls for ending the sale of violent video games to children and blocking their access to violent or pornographic Web sites. President Bush won Drake's district with 58 percent of the vote in 2004. But Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine won the same precincts in 2005.

Democrats have been thrilled to find their candidates in striking distance in some of these races. One of the Democrats' top targets is North Carolina's 11th District, where former Washington Redskins quarterback Heath Shuler is trying to unseat Republican Rep. Charles H. Taylor. In Virginia, James Webb, a former Republican who served as secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan, is being watched closely by Democrats to see if he can make Sen. George Allen sweat for reelection.

[wvobiwan]

Democrats can only compete in their liberal enclaves. The rest of the country gets their news from Fox and are no longer ignorant to Democrat 'values'; pro-terrorism, anti-US, anti-Military, pro-illegal alien, anti-law/order.

[Russ]

They can only compete if they run as if they were Republicans. Then, when the people elect them, they revert back to being Democrats.

[new yorker 77]

Answer: NO

Post Analysis: Worthless

[AdvisorB]

As long as the RATs are dancing to this tune, you can forget Dixie.

[MinorityRepublican]

The only way that they can win is being a stealth rat. Sort of like Bill Clinton.

[KC_Conspirator]

I wonder when we will see the article "Rethinking the Blue States" from the Post about the GOP hopefuls and the gains they want to make in blue areas?

[TommyDale]

Let's take it issue by issue for the South. Would a Southerner vote for a Democrat based on these issues?

Guns? No
Abortion? No
Partial Birth Abortion? no
Higher taxes? No
Support the military? No
Support of prayer in schools? No
Allow illegal immigration? No
Support choice in schools? No

Hmmm. Looks as if Democrats will have to make some wholesale changes in their platform to get votes down here!

[AdvisorB]

Yes, because the Compost's political analysis is not grounded in reality. It's based on what they would like to happen. It's a perception of reality that is flawed.

[TommyDale]

And the issues don't change for John McCain or Rudy Giuliani!

[AdvisorB]

This is a salient issue in the South as well

[Sprite518]

You nailed it. Yes we are pissed at the Republicans, but that does not translate into a Democrat vote. No Way! Most of them are Traitors as far as I am concerned. Well in reference to the leadership (Teddy, Hillary, Nancy, John, and Howard)

[Hydroshock]

I had a friend who passed a way a few years ago. He was a union man, a WW2 Vet, and a Christian. He voted dem since his first election in 1940, he voted for Roosevelt. But in 1996 just before the election he stopped votings. He could not stomach the liberals anymore. He said, "Son, if you do not make at least $250K a year you have no business voting republican, but if you are any type of Christian you have no business voting democrat either." I have heard similar many times in the past 5 years.

If the dems ever do move the right on social issues, push for a strong defense, and have a popularist economic plan the republicans are in trouble. But although in these races they are trying to convience people they are doing that, my money is people will not bite.

[TommyDale]

I KNEW I left one out! That one issue alone is the major cause of the Democrats to continually lose the South!

[beancounter13]

I agree; the Dems will never carry the South until they change their leadership. Even voting a Conservative Dem into Congress translates into a liberal victory in committee chairs.

Those old Donkeys need to be put out to pasture.

[Beagle8U]

"And the issues don't change for John McCain or Rudy Giuliani!"

BINGO !
I get tired of people trying to promote either one of those turds for the Republican nomination.

[AdvisorB]

TommyD, I think this issue is going to sink the RATs in November down here in the South. This is one of those 75% to 80% issues that you don't want to get on the wrong side on.

[Straight Vermonter]

By next summer there will hopefully be a few more conservative voters in the south when our family moves to NC.

[AdvisorB]

Don't hold your breath on that one.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Hmmm. Looks as if Democrats will have to make some wholesale changes in their platform to get votes down here! "

You forgot one:

Make believe you are Christian? Hmmm.. worth a shot. Nothing else works.