Democrats' struggles with working class whites (and why it matters)

Washington Post ^ | October 7, 2010 | Chris Cillizza

[Second Amendment First]

New poll numbers out of the Associated Press suggest that Democrats are struggling badly to court white, working class voters in advance of the coming midterm elections, a trend that could have a sizable impact not just on the November election but the 2012 presidential race as well.

In the AP data, white voters without college degrees favor Republican over Democrats by 22 points on the generic congressional ballot -- approximately a doubling of the margin the GOP enjoyed among this sliver of the electorate in 2008.

The data, which has drawn considerable attention over the past few days, is in some ways not terribly surprising.

Democrats have struggled with working class white voters since the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan assiduously -- and successfully -- courted them as part of his electoral coalition. (Hence the term "Reagan Democrats".)

In the 2004 presidential election, Republicans carried white working class voters 61 percent to 38 percent and in 2006, a very good year for Democrats nationally, the party still lost this voting bloc by 9 points.

[Second Amendment First]

In the traditional Rust Belt -- Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Illinois and New York -- alone, there are 136 electoral votes up for grabs, slightly more than 50 percent of the 270 either candidate will need to win the presidency.

In 2008, President Obama won seven of those eight states -- losing only West Virginia. It's hard to imagine him losing either his home state of Illinois or New York in 2012 but the other six states are very much up for grabs.

[Theodore R.]

Working-class whites usually vote Democrat because they remember their teachers from years back telling them that Democrats were “for” people like them, and Republicans are tools of the wealthy.

[CPT Clay]

In the 2004 presidential election, Republicans carried white working class voters 61 percent to 38 percent

Do I hear 67-32???

[screaminsunshine]

The way I see it. Biden will resign and be replace by Hillary then Obama quits and Hillary runs in 2012.

[Psalm 144]

“Working-class whites usually vote Democrat because they remember their teachers from years back telling them that Democrats were “for” people like them, and Republicans are tools of the wealthy.”

Yes. Bogus tripe from the 1930s which has not improved with age.

[Psalm 144]

Many hold this view. I just cannot see BO willingly stepping down, unless he has another free pass to Sec. Gen. of the UN or something. Certainly he rides the tiger rider now, and his dismount will be something unusual.

[screaminsunshine]

Obama has to make a deal.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Could be the food stamps

[B-Cause]

Obama has to make a deal.

---

Speaking of "Obama has to make a deal." - how's this?

[Nervous Tick]

Quite a few of them vote ‘Rat because they’re private-sector union members, too.

[truthguy]

Working-class whites usually vote Democrat because they remember their teachers from years back telling them that Democrats were “for” people like them, and Republicans are tools of the wealthy.

Absolutely true and this has been the most effective weapon Democrats have had for many years. I cannot believe any working class white would vote Democratic unless the were suicidal. But many of them cling to the Democratic Party. My late mother was a Democrat who didn't believe in anything the post 1960 Democrats were for. She was as conservative as they come but the public schools got their hooks into her at an early age and convinced her that the Democrats were for the little guy. She was never able to shake this disease although after 1968 she voted Republican despite the pain it caused her.

[ansel12]

In the 2004 presidential election, Republicans carried white working class voters 61 percent to 38 percent and in 2006, a very good year for Democrats nationally, the party still lost this voting bloc by 9 points.
The story was similar in 2008 as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won non college-educated whites by 18 points while winning all white voters by a smaller 12-point margin.

You guys are sure confusing me, doesn't the article point out that the white working class is one of the strongest republican voting blocks to exist?

In 2008, they voted McCain by an 18 point margin, the total white vote only went McCain by 12 points.

Why would you guys be dumping on a group that is to the right of everybody, and probably of your own group, and non of you better be Catholics, who voted 54% for Obama.

[Joe Boucher]

I’m about fed up with quota boys and set asides for fools like obammy.

[Joe Boucher]

Lifelong Republican here who feel jerked by the Republicans led by Newt who when got ahold of power spent my money like a drunk in Vegas.
Less guub mint is best gub mint.
How they going to act this time?????

[jmaroneps37]

Had this one on June 21: http://www.coachisright.com/white-male-voters-will-be-back-in-force-this-november-and-they-won%e2%80%99t-be-voting-democrat/

[Nervous Tick]

Take a sedative. I didn’t see any of the posters you mentioned by name *dumping* on *anyone*. We’re just musing over why some of this cohort vote ‘Rat. Haven’t you wondered?

[ansel12]

We’re just musing over why some of this cohort vote ‘Rat. Haven’t you wondered?

Really, you expected 100% from any group? You don't think an 18 point republican margin in 2008 is about as impressive as it gets, especially for a group that is largely called "trailer trash" and "Wal Mart" people as they are called here, when we can only win 45% of the Catholic vote, and the white vote with a college degree is so liberal in comparison?

You learn of just about the most republican cohort, and all of your reactions were negative, not positive.

[Nervous Tick]

Are you a total, complete, chip-on-the-shoulder dumbass in real life, or do you just play one on FR?