Rich Suburbs Move to Democrats

RCP ^ | 8/7/2007 | Froma Harrop

[oblomov]

GREENWICH, Conn. -- You know you're in a different kind of town when the signs against drunk driving show a line drawn through a Martini glass to which the artist thoughtfully added a stirrer. Greenwich, Conn., is one such town.

Greenwich is home to billionaire hedge-fund managers, private-equity kings and corporate chieftains, as well as ordinary multi-multimillionaires. Interviewing people here requires leaving phone messages with au pairs and catching folks between board meetings.

You'd think that Greenwich would be solid Bush-loving turf -- what with all those tax cuts for the rich. It is not. The voters are roughly 40 percent Republican, 40 percent unaffiliated and only 20 percent Democratic, but Bush won the town by only a sliver in 2004, even though his father grew up here.

The political shift toward Democrats has been noted in wealthy suburbs from Seattle to Philadelphia. In 2006, an amazing 63 percent of voters making from $150,000 to $200,000 chose Democratic candidates. Even those making over $200,000 favored Democrats, albeit by a small margin.

Greenwich has also become an incubator for liberal candidates. Local businessman Ned Lamont became the bloggers' hero last year for nearly unseating Iraq-war cheerleader Joe Lieberman in a Senate race.

[oblomov]

In the rotten boroughs of New England, the wealthy recognize the fact that it is now easier to generate "wealth" through legislation than by operating a business subject to the whims of a free people.

One more signal of the terminal decline of our sometime republic.

[Puppage]

Greenwich,CT

I lived in Greenwich, on the OTHER side of the tracks, for 4 years. It's the kind of town that will call the police if a black person is seen crossing the street.

[goldstategop]

The very wealthy are liberal. Think George Soros, Warren Buffett and Steve Jobs. Today its a safe bet any one with lots of money is likely to vote Democrat. In the old days, the reverse was true.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[SolidWood]

There isn’t a shortage of hyper-liberals among rich elistists especially in New England.

[rightinthemiddle]

Many of those who have “easy money” are liberal...heirs, dot-com millionaires, high-ranking bureaucrats.

It makes them feel better about not working for a living.

[theDentist]

Wasn’t it Jimmy Carter who, on the night he was elected, stood on the stage and laughed at those who voted for him, saying “They have no idea we’re about to tax the **** out of them.” ??? I suspect that line will be quoted yet again.

[sr4402]

Why the rich would want to vote Dem is beyond me. The Dem's consistently want to raise the percentage of their taxes and make is harder on corporate America.

Besides, I'm hearing that liberals are moving to Canada. Maybe some are getting out before Edwards takes "it away by force from them".

[goldstategop]

The Country Club Republicans used to be Rockefeller Wing Republicans. Their children have abandoned the GOP for the Democrats.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[RoadTest]

And in the old days, Democrat stood for helping the people and looking out for their interests and Republican meant help the fat cats.

Today Democrat is a synonym for the Communism that failed in Russia and to be Republican is to watch the weather vane and turn whichever way it points.

[goldstategop]

The rich don't work for a living, stupid. All their money is invested. And that money is NOT subject to taxation. Higher taxes are not going to affect them and if they are its of marginal importance. So they can vote Democrat in the knowledge the Democrats will NEVER tax their income.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Williams]

I really think the whole electorate has been moved left by a constant barrage of liberal propoganda which goes largely unanswered. Republicans usually apologetically claim they are trying to accomplish the same things as liberals.

You can cite statistics demonstrating that Americans say they are conservative, but my friends, in the America of not long ago the likes of Al Gore and John Kerry would have fared the same as George McGovern.

[RockinRight]

I am trying to become rich, and it ain’t gonna make me a Democrat. I think really, you are what you are, regardless.

[goldstategop]

Yes, the Republicans are seen as Democrat Lite. So why not vote for the genuine article? The only thing that makes the GOP competitive are cultural as opposed to economic issues. And there are wealthy people who look down on socially conservative people as a bunch of Elmer Gantry country rednecks.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[chimera]

I've always thought that the natural constituency of the Republican party is the middle class, people like my parents who grew up during the Depression, served in the war, worked hard all their lives to build a future for their children, played by the rules and lived honest, moral lives. These are the bedrock of our society, providing the social and political stability necessary for a growing economy and a viable representative democracy. They instilled these values in their progeny and we neither seek handouts nor expect something for nothing.

That said, it puzzles me to no end why a party whose natural constituency is this demographic would implement policies (globalist economics, open borders, expanded government) that are harmful to it. One can't undercut the well-being of one's supporters and expect their continued support. That only sows the seeds of discontent and eventual revolution.

[aculeus]

Nothing new here. Greenwich is Hollywood without the coke.

(Mr O, it’s not like you to be up this early!)

[Sir Hailstone]

A liberal immediate family member told me once “Even you” referring to me “don’t have the money to be a Republican”.

Frankly I don’t have the money to be a Democrat either. Between tax increases out the wahzoo and this Private Jet Progressive crowd demonstrated here.

[yldstrk]

There is a guilt complex abouot making it rich in this country which is silly and wrong. But IF you inherited your riches, you have no firckin’ clue how to make money. Teddy, has no idea how to earn an honest dollar. For that matter neither do Bill Clinton or Jesse Jackson, although they didn’t inherit their money. John Kerry doesn’t have a clue either. People who know how to make money shouldn’t feel guilty about it. They are helping others by providing jobs and opportunites and economic growth. Those who only know how to take from others and give to the needy are of questionable value to our way of life.

[bassmaner]

The rich don't work for a living, stupid. All their money is invested. And that money is NOT subject to taxation.

The nomenklatura in Hollyweird and (tragically) Wall Street are the biggest supporters of the 'vanguard of the proletariat'. As we will see when we compare the sources of donations to the Hildabeast campaign vs. the Republican nominee.

[oblomov]

>(Mr O, it’s not like you to be up this early!)

I’m typing from bed!

[aculeus]

I’m typing from bed!

I am relieved.