Day 12: Idaho

[bejkuy]

In my opinion, 2 factors doomed the democratic party in northern Idaho (they were already dead in southern ID).

The democrats' shift to more extreme environmental policy and their attack on guns rights, beginning in the 90's.

My dad was born in Lewiston.  Historically this town as well as many others in the north, was blue-collar democrat.  Look at the voting records before 2000.

My grandparents still live in the area, so I spend a fair amount of time over there.  I would compare the people in Lewiston to the people of West Virginia.  Socially conservative but economically, more along the populist lines.  This was enough to keep them in the dem camp for years.

When Clinton destroyed the forest products industry( throuh the northwest forest plan) that employed many of these blue-collar democrats, and then had the nerve to take away their "assult rifles" the deal was done.

The last minute ban on development in roadless areas withnin the National Forests hit Idaho particularily hard. 

I know that the State of Oregon lost fully one half of it's lumber mills in the 1990's.  I would imagine Idaho suffered similar losses.  It's tough to stay loyal to the party that destroyed your town.       

[bejkuy]

The swing in much of northern Idaho between the '80's/'90's and the '00's has been huge; from over 50% for Dukakis to over 70% for Bush in some areas...

Nice to see you again, btw

Thank you Al.

I am always interested in subjects related to rural Norhwest life.