Vote for President 1000 TIMES!!

[kittynh]

I live in NH. My husband and I do what a lot of couples in the state do. One is a Democrat, one a Republican. That way we get invited to meet ALL the candidates. That way we BOTH get phone calls (so far I've had 4 tonight and the huband a record 8!).

We take our NH primary very seriously, really trying to listen in person to as many candidates as we can (sorry Tom Tancredo dropped out before he got to our part of the state). In fact, for Hillary and Obama, they are all but packing my groceries and saying, "Paper or plastic, and will you let me tell you my health care plan?"

This year we're both a bit up in the air. As the Democrat my husband has made his choice (as in "well I'll vote for him as he would make a great VP I think...")

But this poor little Goldwater Republican is having a problem making up my mind. (And I can only vote for a Republican candidate).

So YOU decide. I can certainly tell you if you all poll Huckabee the winner I"m not wasting my vote on him. Unless you can convince me he's the best of the bunch. This will be just for a suggestion...but I'll take it seriously. I frankly am up in the air about which Republican deserves my vote. And for the husband everyone vote for a Democrat, even if he has already made up his mind.

So one Republican...one Democrat... or should I just write in Shemps name?

Remember, supposedly MY vote counts as 1000 votes. And trust me I deserve this kind of power after answering the phone so much and you won't believe the junk mail.

Shemp is also voting, it's sad.

[Brainster]

I'm on record supporting John McCain. I hope you will give him your vote.

[kittynh]

I've voted for him before in the primary, he's really nice in "real life".

[Darth Rotor]

Originally Posted by kittynh

I've voted for him before in the primary, he's really nice in "real life".

That he did not win the nom in 2000 was a great frustration to me.

Why not give him your vote again? You know where he is coming from.

DR

[UnrepentantSinner]

Ah, I see my choices are in line with the current leads in the poll.

Of course Shemp's coming on strong...

[NeoRicen]

Originally Posted by Brainster

I'm on record supporting John McCain. I hope you will give him your vote.

I chose him as my Republican choice, but I'd go pretty much all the Democrats before him.

[Tsukasa Buddha]

I'll go with McCain because I want to still believe that he still has some shred of his old self left even after selling his soul to the Fundies.

But, If you want to make the choice in the general election easier, vote Huckabee .

[danielk]

I voted for McCain, Obama and Shemp.

I only wish McCain were a bit softer on gay marriage and abortion...

[Richard Masters]

Originally Posted by kittynh

I live in NH. My husband and I do what a lot of couples in the state do. One is a Democrat, one a Republican. That way we get invited to meet ALL the candidates. That way we BOTH get phone calls (so far I've had 4 tonight and the huband a record 8!).

We take our NH primary very seriously, really trying to listen in person to as many candidates as we can (sorry Tom Tancredo dropped out before he got to our part of the state). In fact, for Hillary and Obama, they are all but packing my groceries and saying, "Paper or plastic, and will you let me tell you my health care plan?"

This year we're both a bit up in the air. As the Democrat my husband has made his choice (as in "well I'll vote for him as he would make a great VP I think...")

But this poor little Goldwater Republican is having a problem making up my mind. (And I can only vote for a Republican candidate).

So YOU decide. I can certainly tell you if you all poll Huckabee the winner I"m not wasting my vote on him. Unless you can convince me he's the best of the bunch. This will be just for a suggestion...but I'll take it seriously. I frankly am up in the air about which Republican deserves my vote. And for the husband everyone vote for a Democrat, even if he has already made up his mind.

So one Republican...one Democrat... or should I just write in Shemps name?

Remember, supposedly MY vote counts as 1000 votes. And trust me I deserve this kind of power after answering the phone so much and you won't believe the junk mail.

Shemp is also voting, it's sad.

What issues are important to you?

Since you consider yourself a Goldwater Republican, I'd go with Ron Paul.

[Kopji]

I said vote for Huckabee, but that's because his own supporters in Iowa gave him about a 1 in 20 chance of winning in November.

The thing to examine on McCain is his recent positioning in the Arizona 2006 state elections. He threw his support behind a religious fanatic instead of a more moderate republican, and also actively supported a marriage initiative that would have eliminated existing state employee benefits for unmarried couples (called common law marriages).

I don't see this shift as indication of a 'true believer' conversion, but more like a calculated effort to endear himself to the far right religious segment at the expense of what would be best for Arizona.

I honestly don't know where he would stand as President. He might make a good president, he is at least more clever than Bush. I think that in some ways, too many ways, he would be more of the same thing.

[leftysergeant]

Originally Posted by Kopji

I honestly don't know where he would stand as President. He might make a good president, he is at least more clever than Bush.

DUH! You could say that about any of them, even Keyes. (Of course, Keyes is not much more mentally stable.)

I really don't like any of the Republican field, but I would love to see Giuliani in the general elections. Difference between a landslide for the Dems and utter humiliation for the GOP.

I think ethics will matter a bit this cycle.

I went with Edwards, because he is the least DLC of the three front runners. I would have no porblem voting for Obama, either. I would really enjoy watching a press conference in which the president is the smartest person in the room.

[Kopji]

I think that the big story today was that the Dems are all riled up and turning out.

My spidey-sense out here is that the Republicans are pretty fed up with what they got for their money and just might stay home in November.

I liked Edwards in 2004 and he did well in Iowa today.

[leftysergeant]

I think that the worse Clinton does from here on, the better chance Edwards has.

[Richard Masters]

Originally Posted by leftysergeant

I would really enjoy watching a press conference in which the president is the smartest person in the room.

That would be nice. Obama or Ron Paul.

[SezMe]

Originally Posted by kittynh

But this poor little Goldwater Republican is having a problem making up my mind. (And I can only vote for a Republican candidate).

You have, indeed, a serious problem.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are a deficit hawk. As such, Romney and Juli (who want to extend Bush tax cuts and thus increase the debt) are out.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are humble with respect to foreign intervention. Oops, there goes McCain.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are an advocate for church/state separation. Damn, the Huckster is out.

That makes the decision easy by the process of elimination: Shemp for Prez.

[rdaneel]

..

[UnrepentantSinner]

I consider myself a Goldwater Republican too so...

Originally Posted by Richard Masters

What issues are important to you?

Since you consider yourself a Goldwater Republican, I'd go with Ron Paul.

Why?

Originally Posted by SezMe

You have, indeed, a serious problem.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are a deficit hawk. As such, Romney and Juli (who want to extend Bush tax cuts and thus increase the debt) are out.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are humble with respect to foreign intervention. Oops, there goes McCain.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are an advocate for church/state separation. Damn, the Huckster is out.

That makes the decision easy by the process of elimination: Shemp for Prez.

Another good list of why I'm not a member of the Republican base.

[Puppycow]

I like how McCain doesn't pander as much as most politicians (all politicians have to do it a little). It's a majority Christian nation, and especially the Republican base, so that's presumably why McCain did the bare minimum pandering to Christians to be a viable candidate, which is understandable to me.

I think Obama is also very smart, and has good judgment. Judgment is more important than experience. Cheney had loads of experience, but obviously very poor judgment. So the real question is not who has the most experience, but who has the best judgment.

[SezMe]

Originally Posted by Puppycow

It's a majority Christian nation, and especially the Republican base, so that's presumably why McCain did the bare minimum pandering to Christians to be a viable candidate, which is understandable to me.

Kissing up to Falwell and speaking at Bob Jones University is the "bare minimum"? Especially after he, himself, labeled Falwell and his ilk as "agents of intolerance". I don't think so but YMMV.

[NeoRicen]

After a quick look at Goldwater Republican on wikipedia (it redirected to Barry Goldwater but whatever) I'd say Giuliani appears to be closest to him.

[Haywire]

Right now, I couldn't possibly support any of the Republican candidates.
Don't drop the ball, Shemp.

[Puppycow]

Originally Posted by SezMe

Kissing up to Falwell and speaking at Bob Jones University is the "bare minimum"? Especially after he, himself, labeled Falwell and his ilk as "agents of intolerance". I don't think so but YMMV.

Well, Falwell etc. does represent a not insignificant part of the Republican base, right? So, wouldn't some sort of symbolic gesture at least be the "bare minimum" to mend fences with that part of the base? (I'm not totally sure if you are suggesting that it's more than the bare minimum or less, BTW.)

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally Posted by kittynh

I live in NH.

There's a funny irony about this thread as I've had a note to self which I hadn't acted on to start a thread asking you, HRG, Shemp and other New Hampsherites (since we have very few Iowa forumites... like the Huckabee victory didn't explain why that is) about the Primary season in NH and how you guys reacted to the ads and if you'd met any candidates personally. I've had that to do much shorter than others, but still since Oct. or so.

Thanks for starting this thread yourself and answering a lot of the questions I had.

[Kopji]

What are people from New Hampshire called anyway?

The 'Americana' image presented by the party election machines is pretty darn effective.

I have no trouble imagining hard working citizens from the 'shire' dressed in sturdy farm clothes, sitting around cracker barrels at the corner store and chatting with the candidates. There's a pot belly stove in the corner burning old campaign posters.

There's a square dance in the street outside, and after the dance the candidates all join in a prayer circle as a sign of good will and fair play.

[Hokulele]

Originally Posted by Kopji

What are people from New Hampshire called anyway?

"Free" or "dead".

[ConspiRaider]

Originally Posted by kittynh

I live in NH. My husband and I do what a lot of couples in the state do. One is a Democrat, one a Republican. That way we get invited to meet ALL the candidates. That way we BOTH get phone calls (so far I've had 4 tonight and the huband a record 8!).

We take our NH primary very seriously, really trying to listen in person to as many candidates as we can (sorry Tom Tancredo dropped out before he got to our part of the state). In fact, for Hillary and Obama, they are all but packing my groceries and saying, "Paper or plastic, and will you let me tell you my health care plan?"

This year we're both a bit up in the air. As the Democrat my husband has made his choice (as in "well I'll vote for him as he would make a great VP I think...")

But this poor little Goldwater Republican is having a problem making up my mind. (And I can only vote for a Republican candidate).

So YOU decide. I can certainly tell you if you all poll Huckabee the winner I"m not wasting my vote on him. Unless you can convince me he's the best of the bunch. This will be just for a suggestion...but I'll take it seriously. I frankly am up in the air about which Republican deserves my vote. And for the husband everyone vote for a Democrat, even if he has already made up his mind.

So one Republican...one Democrat... or should I just write in Shemps name?

Remember, supposedly MY vote counts as 1000 votes. And trust me I deserve this kind of power after answering the phone so much and you won't believe the junk mail.

Shemp is also voting, it's sad.

There are quite a few things wrong with this statement. Or at the very least: Puzzling. Is New Hampshire part of the United States? I require proof.

First you say that the whole point of a couple being split-party in New Hampshire is so you get invited to more parties? Excuse me? So it's really just about socializing and schmoozing? What about, oh - ISSUES? What's important to you, what isn't, as far as the direction of the country? Priorities? Integrity? Trust?

And then you state that you take your NH primary very seriously. Um - no you don't. Not if the intended result of the primary is to see how many social events you can attend. Wow! And I thought us Californians were shallow!

Maybe I'm not in the right clique here at JREForum (trust me, I'm not) but what exactly do you mean that YOUR vote counts as 1000 votes? You deserve this kind of power? Oh really? I don't know what you mean that your vote counts as a thousand votes and I'm sure many others here (those not in your clique) don't know what you mean either.

Finally: All the Republican candidates are Certified Fools by the USDA (United States Department of Agrifoolture). Vote Dem or Shemp, is my advice.

[Kopji]

"New Hampshirites"

Yeah I'm just jealous.

[Puppycow]

Originally Posted by ConspiRaider

Maybe I'm not in the right clique here at JREForum (trust me, I'm not) but what exactly do you mean that YOUR vote counts as 1000 votes? You deserve this kind of power? Oh really? I don't know what you mean that your vote counts as a thousand votes and I'm sure many others here (those not in your clique) don't know what you mean either.

Actually, her vote really only counts about 6 to 20 times more than yours. 1000 is a bit of an exaggeration.

Quote:

It really is the early bird that gets the worm, at least in politics. New research out of Brown University shows that the American political process through which we choose the President is "front loaded," with voters in the early primaries having much more clout than voters in later primaries.

The researchers used a technique called statistical modeling to determine the effect of early primaries during the 2004 national election, and their results suggest that any candidate who ignores the relatively small state of Iowa does so at considerable political peril. The Iowa results, followed quickly by the New Hampshire primary, have an enormous impact on what the political pundits, and the researchers, call "momentum."

"Momentum effects will be generated when candidate performance in the actual primaries exceeds voter expectation," Brian Knight, associate professor of economics and public policy at Brown University, said in an interview.

That won't come as much of a surprise to pundits who have seen the fate of many a political candidate set in stone in the early primaries. But the research, carried out by Knight and a graduate student, Nathan Schiff, is a rare effort to study scientifically how momentum shifts as the sequence of primaries moves along.

Knight and Schiff came up with some surprising numbers. Voters in Iowa and New Hampshire have six to 20 times the influence of voters in later states in the selection of candidates.

You Californicators' function is essentially to meekly accept and rubber-stamp what the Iowans and New Hampshirites decide on your behalf. Sorry.

[SezMe]

Originally Posted by Puppycow

You Californicators' function is essentially to meekly accept and rubber-stamp what the Iowans and New Hampshirites decide on your behalf. Sorry.

Actually, we're the ATMs for the Elephants and the Asses. Consider my own relatively small hometown of Santa Barbara. Obama came here for Oprah's bash but managed to squeeze in a public appearance before all the exclusive events where the real $$$$s were in play. Rudy Julie has been here twice but has not deigned to have one single public appearance. Dennis K. came by and appeared at a public event at the beach (which curiosity compelled me to attend) which was, IMO, a complete campaign disaster.

And that's just one minor burg on the California money trail. Lord knows what went on in Hollywood (maybe ConspiRaider can comment) or Baghdad-by-the-Bay where the real lucre resides.

Ka-Ching!!

[Puppycow]

Yep.

[kittynh]

Originally Posted by ConspiRaider

There are quite a few things wrong with this statement. Or at the very least: Puzzling. Is New Hampshire part of the United States? I require proof.

First you say that the whole point of a couple being split-party in New Hampshire is so you get invited to more parties? Excuse me? So it's really just about socializing and schmoozing? What about, oh - ISSUES? What's important to you, what isn't, as far as the direction of the country? Priorities? Integrity? Trust?

And then you state that you take your NH primary very seriously. Um - no you don't. Not if the intended result of the primary is to see how many social events you can attend. Wow! And I thought us Californians were shallow!

Maybe I'm not in the right clique here at JREForum (trust me, I'm not) but what exactly do you mean that YOUR vote counts as 1000 votes? You deserve this kind of power? Oh really? I don't know what you mean that your vote counts as a thousand votes and I'm sure many others here (those not in your clique) don't know what you mean either.

Finally: All the Republican candidates are Certified Fools by the USDA (United States Department of Agrifoolture). Vote Dem or Shemp, is my advice.

Oh wow, another attack!!!

Seriously I was raised a Republican and it's still the party of Lincoln. By Goldwater I don't mean the hardliner definitioon. I mean fiscally responsible (ummm nothing like a war to hurt your economy and ruin a budget) and I mean keeping personal issues seperate. Goldwater actually came out for gays in the military later in life. I'm into the old as little government as possible, which means...keep out of other people's personal life. And keep religion a family matter not a federal matter. (those are Goldwater goals...which no one remembers...you have to be OLD like me). Perhaps a Mathais Republican is a better anology.

Am I going to let the fundies take over the party? Nope. Only by reasonable people staying in the party will it ever be saved. A two party system can work well. More moderates are needed in the Republican party. I can pretty much tell you that when I vote in November, it will be for a Democrat unless McCain is clear about his interest in keeping religion a private family matter, not public policy. That is a Mathais Republican rule!

It's not about parties. Why does NH "work". Well for one thing, it is a small state. So if you want to and make the effort you can hear EVERY candidate speak and even TALK with them and their campaign. These aren't fun parties. These are serious political discussions. With a bigger state, it's just too hard to meet everyone!

That's why most of my friends do a split primary role. My husband and I go to those meetings and rallys. (try standing in the COLD to listen to Obama speak, in temps that are below zero...it's not a "party"). We talk with our neighbors and with ourselves. We have to LAUGH and joke about it at times. When you get so many phone calls in one evening you have to make fun.

But I'll be there on voting day. Making my mark with a pencil on a paper ballot in a booth built by the Boy Scouts in the town hall that is over 200 years old. I will put that paper ballot in a little box hand made by the Boy Scouts and the senior center will be selling brownies and I will probably take a few moments to chat with the local police officer of our small village, and you can even bring your dog with you when you vote.. . and the poll workers ALWAYS make the same joke "and so what party does Dingo belong to? I dont' see his name on this list."

So yeah we take it seriously. McCain is in Keene NH on Monday at 10:00, and I'm going to see him again. My husband is taking off work to go along. This is what we do. Because in NH we do take this seriously. Move it to California and it will just be politacal ads and media. But in NH, it's face to face, and that is a good thing.

[kittynh]

oh this 1000 votes was from NBC news the other night. They figured that the "influence" of the NH primary meant that it would touch another 999 people.

The number usually bandied about is 10-20. The NBC report used media influence after the primary as part of their guesstimate.

I thought everyone knew about Iowa and New Hampshire, so it wasn't an "insider" joke. It was a "do you know how American politics works" joke. I fully expect my friends in Europe not to get the joke, unless ofcourse the news in Europe covers the NH first primary thing. Sorry, not a JREF joke, simply a Civics class joke.

[kittynh]

Originally Posted by Kopji

"New Hampshirites"

Yeah I'm just jealous.

don't be, it's freaking COLD COLD COLD here.

Especially when you are listening to Huckabee talk in the town square.

He can talk a LONG time.

[Brainster]

Originally Posted by kittynh

Oh wow, another attack!!!

Seriously I was raised a Republican and it's still the party of Lincoln. By Goldwater I don't mean the hardliner definitioon. I mean fiscally responsible (ummm nothing like a war to hurt your economy and ruin a budget) and I mean keeping personal issues seperate. Goldwater actually came out for gays in the military later in life. I'm into the old as little government as possible, which means...keep out of other people's personal life. And keep religion a family matter not a federal matter. (those are Goldwater goals...which no one remembers...you have to be OLD like me). Perhaps a Mathais Republican is a better anology.

Am I going to let the fundies take over the party? Nope. Only by reasonable people staying in the party will it ever be saved. A two party system can work well. More moderates are needed in the Republican party. I can pretty much tell you that when I vote in November, it will be for a Democrat unless McCain is clear about his interest in keeping religion a private family matter, not public policy. That is a Mathais Republican rule!

It's not about parties. Why does NH "work". Well for one thing, it is a small state. So if you want to and make the effort you can hear EVERY candidate speak and even TALK with them and their campaign. These aren't fun parties. These are serious political discussions. With a bigger state, it's just too hard to meet everyone!

That's why most of my friends do a split primary role. My husband and I go to those meetings and rallys. (try standing in the COLD to listen to Obama speak, in temps that are below zero...it's not a "party"). We talk with our neighbors and with ourselves. We have to LAUGH and joke about it at times. When you get so many phone calls in one evening you have to make fun.

But I'll be there on voting day. Making my mark with a pencil on a paper ballot in a booth built by the Boy Scouts in the town hall that is over 200 years old. I will put that paper ballot in a little box hand made by the Boy Scouts and the senior center will be selling brownies and I will probably take a few moments to chat with the local police officer of our small village, and you can even bring your dog with you when you vote.. . and the poll workers ALWAYS make the same joke "and so what party does Dingo belong to? I dont' see his name on this list."

So yeah we take it seriously. McCain is in Keene NH on Monday at 10:00, and I'm going to see him again. My husband is taking off work to go along. This is what we do. Because in NH we do take this seriously. Move it to California and it will just be politacal ads and media. But in NH, it's face to face, and that is a good thing.

Thanks for this wonderful description of the retail political process in New Hampshire. One question though: Who is Mathais?

[kittynh]

he was a Senator in Maryland when I was very young (like let's pretend it was a former life cause I'm not old enough to remember HIM...ha!). He was a great moderate Republican that believed a 2 party system is a good system of checks and balances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Mathias,_Jr.

a great guy and an environmentalist that worked hard to help save the Bay when no one was really interested in that. Still a wonderful person I might add.

[Damien Evans]

Originally Posted by SezMe

You have, indeed, a serious problem.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are a deficit hawk. As such, Romney and Juli (who want to extend Bush tax cuts and thus increase the debt) are out.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are humble with respect to foreign intervention. Oops, there goes McCain.

As a Goldwater Republican, you are an advocate for church/state separation. Damn, the Huckster is out.

That makes the decision easy by the process of elimination: Shemp for Prez.

you left the crazy guy off...

[fuelair]

I cannot with good concience (actually any concience at all) vote for a republiker so Shemp and a Dem got my two.

[ConspiRaider]

Originally Posted by kittynh

Oh wow, another attack!!!

Seriously I was raised a Republican and it's still the party of Lincoln. By Goldwater I don't mean the hardliner definitioon. I mean fiscally responsible (ummm nothing like a war to hurt your economy and ruin a budget) and I mean keeping personal issues seperate. Goldwater actually came out for gays in the military later in life. I'm into the old as little government as possible, which means...keep out of other people's personal life. And keep religion a family matter not a federal matter. (those are Goldwater goals...which no one remembers...you have to be OLD like me). Perhaps a Mathais Republican is a better anology.

Am I going to let the fundies take over the party? Nope. Only by reasonable people staying in the party will it ever be saved. A two party system can work well. More moderates are needed in the Republican party. I can pretty much tell you that when I vote in November, it will be for a Democrat unless McCain is clear about his interest in keeping religion a private family matter, not public policy. That is a Mathais Republican rule!

It's not about parties. Why does NH "work". Well for one thing, it is a small state. So if you want to and make the effort you can hear EVERY candidate speak and even TALK with them and their campaign. These aren't fun parties. These are serious political discussions. With a bigger state, it's just too hard to meet everyone!

That's why most of my friends do a split primary role. My husband and I go to those meetings and rallys. (try standing in the COLD to listen to Obama speak, in temps that are below zero...it's not a "party"). We talk with our neighbors and with ourselves. We have to LAUGH and joke about it at times. When you get so many phone calls in one evening you have to make fun.

But I'll be there on voting day. Making my mark with a pencil on a paper ballot in a booth built by the Boy Scouts in the town hall that is over 200 years old. I will put that paper ballot in a little box hand made by the Boy Scouts and the senior center will be selling brownies and I will probably take a few moments to chat with the local police officer of our small village, and you can even bring your dog with you when you vote.. . and the poll workers ALWAYS make the same joke "and so what party does Dingo belong to? I dont' see his name on this list."

So yeah we take it seriously. McCain is in Keene NH on Monday at 10:00, and I'm going to see him again. My husband is taking off work to go along. This is what we do. Because in NH we do take this seriously. Move it to California and it will just be politacal ads and media. But in NH, it's face to face, and that is a good thing.

All righty then! That's a good response. And I'm in favor of the Republican Party saving itself and you seem to be in the correct mindset to do just that. Because the Republican Party has allowed itself - starting with Nixon - to get hijacked into a vindictive, lock-stepping, double-talking, bible-thumping, hypocritical and corrupt political party. I think I'm older than you (don't admit it if you are 50) and have seen this change and have NOT been happy about it. Been very very cross about it. Both Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt were Republicans and the party needs to focus on what was great about them - and harken back a little to their idealism. Reflect upon what they symbolized as parts of the best of the American political system - and maybe emulate. Or at least attempt to.

Good! Continue having a blast there in New Hampshire, and thanks for the illumination. I'm in Los Angeles. The candidates sure as living hell came here. But - without BIG BUCKERINOS to shower them with - you really do not get to see them. $1000 a plate dinner just to hear them speak? Are they friggin' out of their minds? Of course they are.

Return to your schmoozing, have some drinks for me, and vote a thousand times on the 8th!!!

See what I mean about me not being in the right clique here at JREForum? If I'd a been - I'd have knowed some of this stufferino. But I'm not a clique joiner. Never could. Never would.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally Posted by ConspiRaider

All righty then! That's a good response. And I'm in favor of the Republican Party saving itself and you seem to be in the correct mindset to do just that. Because the Republican Party has allowed itself - starting with Nixon - to get hijacked into a vindictive, lock-stepping, double-talking, bible-thumping, hypocritical and corrupt political party.

Didn't the Bible-thumpers start joining en masse after Carter disappointed them and Reagan delivered? In the South at least, Democrats were still the conservative Christian party until the mid-70s/early 80s.

[ConspiRaider]

Originally Posted by UnrepentantSinner

Didn't the Bible-thumpers start joining en masse after Carter disappointed them and Reagan delivered? In the South at least, Democrats were still the conservative Christian party until the mid-70s/early 80s.

You're probably right. Reagan did this. Bible-thumpers love authoritarianism and so it is not surprising they'd eventually migrate to that political party that genuinely and passionately trumpets authority of a few. Or even a one. Republicans have certainly laid claim to that paradigm. The Democrats are less authority-based, more about diffusion of power. Bible thumpers perceive themselves as weak, as followers, and require simplicity, order and a Big Strong Leader to tell them what to do. And when to do it. Republicans deliver.