The urban/rural divide and the parties

[memphis]

Working classes are most GOP? Horsecrap! Here's the 2008 exit poll:
http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1
Granted numbers aren't 100% perfect, but you get the idea. Middle and upper classes pretty evenly split between McCain and Obama. Working class strongly for Obama.

[Torie]

Working classes are most GOP? Horsecrap! Here's the 2008 exit poll:
http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1
Granted numbers aren't 100% perfect, but you get the idea. Middle and upper classes pretty evenly split between McCain and Obama. Working class strongly for Obama.

You need to look at working class whites. And it is not all about social issues. A lot of them feel they work hard, and feel that all those transfer payments, and rules of the road, are benefitting someone other then themselves. And a lower percentage of them are in unions, and even if they are, these days unions don't have much power to push wages above market, except in the public sector.  So that tie to the Dems has eroded down to a mere shadow of what it was.

[minionofmidas]

Also, income stats on these things don't correlate with class that perfectly; though a age-by-income breakdown would help greatly (apart from giving us ridiculously small subsamples).

[memphis]

Working classes are most GOP? Horsecrap! Here's the 2008 exit poll:
http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1
Granted numbers aren't 100% perfect, but you get the idea. Middle and upper classes pretty evenly split between McCain and Obama. Working class strongly for Obama.

You need to look at working class whites. And it is not all about social issues. A lot of them feel they work hard, and feel that all those transfer payments, and rules of the road, are benefitting someone other then themselves. And a lower percentage of them are in unions, and even if they are, these days unions don't have much power to push wages above market, except in the public sector.  So that tie to the Dems has eroded down to a mere shadow of what it was.

So your point is that you have to be white to be working class? A strange stance considering whites are much less likely to be working class than browns.

[Torie]

Working classes are most GOP? Horsecrap! Here's the 2008 exit poll:
http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1
Granted numbers aren't 100% perfect, but you get the idea. Middle and upper classes pretty evenly split between McCain and Obama. Working class strongly for Obama.

You need to look at working class whites. And it is not all about social issues. A lot of them feel they work hard, and feel that all those transfer payments, and rules of the road, are benefitting someone other then themselves. And a lower percentage of them are in unions, and even if they are, these days unions don't have much power to push wages above market, except in the public sector.  So that tie to the Dems has eroded down to a mere shadow of what it was.

So your point is that you have to be white to be working class? A strange stance considering whites are much less likely to be working class than browns.

No memphis, that is not the point. Do you think I am some kind of dumb or something?  The point is that is the portion of the working class where the big Dem erosion has been.

[minionofmidas]

It's also what conservative hacks tend to mean when they make claims such as the one that started this little discussion.

[memphis]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

[Torie]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

I didn't say working class whites are more GOP than other whites either, memphis. But it is true that the Pubbie vote percentage totals of upper middle class and working class whites are coming closer together as the GOP percentages erode with the former and accrete with the latter.  Political trends are about the delta function memphis. Oh, and working class folks pay sales and payroll taxes, and don't benefit from all those schedule A deductions much either.

[memphis]

I'm well aware that workers pay taxes, Torie. Glad to see you agree with me. Hope you will be as quick to point that out the next time a right wing blowhard gets all offended because "half of Americans pay no taxes."

[Torie]

I'm well aware that workers pay taxes, Torie. Glad to see you agree with me. Hope you will be as quick to point that out the next time a right wing blowhard gets all offended because "half of Americans pay no taxes."

Yes, I am pleased we have worked this out just so well memphis. Until next time! 

[All Along The Watchtower]

I'm well aware that workers pay taxes, Torie. Glad to see you agree with me. Hope you will be as quick to point that out the next time a right wing blowhard gets all offended because "half of Americans pay no taxes."

Of course, sales and payroll taxes don't exist, according to the right wing.

[All Along The Watchtower]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

I didn't say working class whites are more GOP than other whites either, memphis. But it is true that the Pubbie vote percentage totals of upper middle class and working class whites are coming closer together as the GOP percentages erode with the former and accrete with the latter.  Political trends are about the delta function memphis. Oh, and working class folks pay sales and payroll taxes, and don't benefit from all those schedule A deductions much either.

It's also interesting that college graduates, once a heavily GOP bloc of the population, are starting to trend more mixed. Perhaps some of this is due to more women and minorities graduating college, or it could be the GOP's populist, heavily anti-intellectual attitudes as of late.

[Username MechaRFK]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

I didn't say working class whites are more GOP than other whites either, memphis. But it is true that the Pubbie vote percentage totals of upper middle class and working class whites are coming closer together as the GOP percentages erode with the former and accrete with the latter.  Political trends are about the delta function memphis. Oh, and working class folks pay sales and payroll taxes, and don't benefit from all those schedule A deductions much either.

It's also interesting that college graduates, once a heavily GOP bloc of the population, are starting to trend more mixed. Perhaps some of this is due to more women and minorities graduating college, or it could be the GOP's populist, heavily anti-intellectual attitudes as of late.

The populist anti-intellectual talk from the GOP have made college graduates more GOP. Though a nomination such as Ron Paul or someone more intellectual can win this block again. You're not going to win this vote if you keep nominating s**t for brains such as Rick Perry or Michelle Bachmann to be your nomination against brainiacs such as Barack Obama or Aldi Stevenson(ok, this was while back but my point stands).

[memphis]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

I didn't say working class whites are more GOP than other whites either, memphis. But it is true that the Pubbie vote percentage totals of upper middle class and working class whites are coming closer together as the GOP percentages erode with the former and accrete with the latter.  Political trends are about the delta function memphis. Oh, and working class folks pay sales and payroll taxes, and don't benefit from all those schedule A deductions much either.

It's also interesting that college graduates, once a heavily GOP bloc of the population, are starting to trend more mixed. Perhaps some of this is due to more women and minorities graduating college, or it could be the GOP's populist, heavily anti-intellectual attitudes as of late.

Being a college grad used to be an elite status. Now that we're pushing everybody into colleges, ready or not, it doesn't carry the same weight.

[Username MechaRFK]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

I didn't say working class whites are more GOP than other whites either, memphis. But it is true that the Pubbie vote percentage totals of upper middle class and working class whites are coming closer together as the GOP percentages erode with the former and accrete with the latter.  Political trends are about the delta function memphis. Oh, and working class folks pay sales and payroll taxes, and don't benefit from all those schedule A deductions much either.

It's also interesting that college graduates, once a heavily GOP bloc of the population, are starting to trend more mixed. Perhaps some of this is due to more women and minorities graduating college, or it could be the GOP's populist, heavily anti-intellectual attitudes as of late.

Being a college grad used to be an elite status. Now that we're pushing everybody into colleges, ready or not, it doesn't carry the same weight.

Actually, being a college is still somewhat "elite" to most people in America. Sad but true.

[memphis]

I'm not at all convinced that working class whites are any more GOP friendly than wealthier whites. Either way you're looking at a moderate GOP lean.  As for the urban/rural divide in voting patterns, the census may be able to give everybody a clue as to why that may be. Oh, and Torie, I thought the current right wing position was that working classes don't pay any taxes. Now they're mad that those non-existant taxes are being transfered? Ok. Reminds me of how 250k/year was middle class during the tax debate, but then teachers were grossly overpaid a few months later when the GOP was destroying public sector unions.

I didn't say working class whites are more GOP than other whites either, memphis. But it is true that the Pubbie vote percentage totals of upper middle class and working class whites are coming closer together as the GOP percentages erode with the former and accrete with the latter.  Political trends are about the delta function memphis. Oh, and working class folks pay sales and payroll taxes, and don't benefit from all those schedule A deductions much either.

It's also interesting that college graduates, once a heavily GOP bloc of the population, are starting to trend more mixed. Perhaps some of this is due to more women and minorities graduating college, or it could be the GOP's populist, heavily anti-intellectual attitudes as of late.

Being a college grad used to be an elite status. Now that we're pushing everybody into colleges, ready or not, it doesn't carry the same weight.

Actually, being a college is still somewhat "elite" to most people in America. Sad but true.

Going to state U is about as elite as going out to eat at Chili's. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can't do it, but they're the underclass. Certainly not "most" people.

[Username MechaRFK]

Anyone know how college students voted in past elections pre 2008?

[lowtech redneck]

Has anyone mentioned that most Americans live in the suburbs yet?

Edit: I realize that the OP mentioned the different types of suburbs, I just thought it worth noting that 'urban' and 'rural' are probably not the best dividing line when they comprise a minority of the population....it might simply have more to do with the family (with the notable exception of urban minorities) and retiree residential patterns in the suburbs and rural areas versus the single young adult proportion in urban areas.

[Torie]

The burbs count as urban for this "fascinating" little discussion no doubt. They are not what folks think about when they talk about "rural" voters, to wit folks who don't live in medium sized to large metro areas.

[Username MechaRFK]

Has anyone mentioned that most Americans live in the suburbs yet?
 

  IT'S A DRAIN BORING LAND THAT NO LEFTIES SUCH AS MYSELF WANT TO LIVE IN.


BRTD