dazzleman
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Posts: 13,777
Political Matrix
E: 1.88, S: 1.59
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« on: September 18, 2004, 09:54:56 PM » |
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Actually, I think Clinton did a lot to make the Democratic Party socially acceptable again in certain circles.
Democrats made huge gains in wealthy, older suburban areas during the Clinton years, areas that were solidly Republican as recently as 1988. This is what has moved the northeastern states, California, Washington and Illinois from the swing/state or Republican category to the solidly Democratic category.
On the other hand, the Democrats have continued to lose ground in most of the south.
I think the Democratic Party went wrong went it stopped representing working and law-abiding Americans, and became a party primarily for those with a claim to victim status. They became advocates for social programs for those who would not work, leniency toward criminals, softness on defense, and concern mainly with the interests of feminist women and minorities. Along the way, they forgot the working people who (mostly) abide by the laws and pay the taxes. Working class whites suffered grievously under Democratic urban, tax and social policies.
Clinton partially reversed at least some of this, and that resulted in his two victories for the presidency. But the changes he made were only temporary, and the tendencies that the Democrats have shown since the 1960s have again reared their ugly head.
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