[Norwell]

Ahhh...I thought Reagan Democrats crossed over in large part because of Reagan's social conservatism: PROLIFE.

[discostu]

The Reagan Democrats I'm related to by blood (formerly Kennedy Democrats, my mother and grandfather, plus some family friends) crossed over largely for his fyscal policy which was in line with Kennedy's and because Carter's "tax 'em 'til it hurts then tax the pain" (I htink my mom stole that line from somewhere, not sure where) mentality had clearly failed (my mom was the first person I heard use a FR style renaming, she came up with "Dutaxes" for Dukakis). Most of them disagreed with Reagan on social issues, but they were tired of their paycheck belonging to the government.

You're milage may vary, that's just how it worked in my little corner of the world.