day 7: connecticut

[WalterMitty]

discuss connecticut.

this state swung pretty hard to the dems during the 90s.

there may be some subtle signs that the trend may be stabalizing or even slightly moving back to the right.

by the way mods, can we get a sticky reminding people not to go out of order when starting these threads?

[nini2287]

Connecticut is one of my favorite states politically.  It has great Democrats and Republicans.  However, on a presidential level, I'd be very surprised if it voted GOP unless it's a moderate northeastern pro-choice Republican vs. a populist-leaning Democrat (Rudy Guiliani v. Evan Bayh) in which case the state is probably in the tossup category.

[MaC]

seems to be more conservative than the neighboring Massachusetts and New York, but still a moderate democratic state.

[dazzleman]

Connecticut is definintely more conservative than any of the neighboring states -- Rhode Island, Massachusetts or New York.

Beyond that, it's hard to say what direction the state will go in.  It depends on events to a large extent.

Connecticut has many wealthy suburbanites who will dabble in liberalism as long as it seems safe to them.  Clinton's public moderation, and ironically, Republican successes with ideas such as stricter prison sentences, removed the threatening face that liberalism presented to many of these people.  But if that threatening face reappears, in the form of increased crime, renewed pressure for social engineering ideas like busing, or things like that, they'll bounce right back to the GOP.  Limousine liberals only remain so as long as their liberalism is cheap, and if it ceases being cheap, they'll be singing a different tune.  And that would have a big effect in a state like Connecticut.

[The Duke]

Connecticut is definintely more conservative than any of the neighboring states -- Rhode Island, Massachusetts or New York.

Beyond that, it's hard to say what direction the state will go in.  It depends on events to a large extent.

Connecticut has many wealthy suburbanites who will dabble in liberalism as long as it seems safe to them.  Clinton's public moderation, and ironically, Republican successes with ideas such as stricter prison sentences, removed the threatening face that liberalism presented to many of these people.  But if that threatening face reappears, in the form of increased crime, renewed pressure for social engineering ideas like busing, or things like that, they'll bounce right back to the GOP.  Limousine liberals only remain so as long as their liberalism is cheap, and if it ceases being cheap, they'll be singing a different tune.  And that would have a big effect in a state like Connecticut.

I get the sense that Connecticut is a state whose elections are decided by suburban voters, and suburban voters certainly fit the profile you've laid out for the state of CT.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

CT won't vote for some anti-gay anti-abortion anti-environmental candidate. Republicans can win in CT, just not Republicans who could win a national primary.

[minionofmidas]

Connecticut is definintely more conservative than any of the neighboring states -- Rhode Island, Massachusetts or New York.

Beyond that, it's hard to say what direction the state will go in.  It depends on events to a large extent.

Connecticut has many wealthy suburbanites who will dabble in liberalism as long as it seems safe to them.  Clinton's public moderation, and ironically, Republican successes with ideas such as stricter prison sentences, removed the threatening face that liberalism presented to many of these people.  But if that threatening face reappears, in the form of increased crime, renewed pressure for social engineering ideas like busing, or things like that, they'll bounce right back to the GOP.  Limousine liberals only remain so as long as their liberalism is cheap, and if it ceases being cheap, they'll be singing a different tune.  And that would have a big effect in a state like Connecticut.

I get the sense that Connecticut is a state whose elections are decided by suburban voters, and suburban voters certainly fit the profile you've laid out for the state of CT.

Yep. Nowt really important to add here. Will you just look at the state's Dem swing between Willie Horton 88 and Willie Clinton 96.

[nclib]

discuss connecticut.

this state swung pretty hard to the dems during the 90s.

there may be some subtle signs that the trend may be stabalizing or even slightly moving back to the right.

by the way mods, can we get a sticky reminding people not to go out of order when starting these threads?

Two reasons why Conn. appeared to move to the right in 2004:

1) 9-11
2) no Lieberman on ticket in 2004

The state is safe for Dems unless the Republicans nominate a moderate.

[jacob_101]

2004 results fo W were surprisingly better than 2000.  I think it was just a blip.  The older generation voted heavier for Bush but the younger poplulatioin only voted 29% for Bush.  This state will continue to trend Democrat and will soon resemble MA and RI.

[Cubby]

discuss connecticut.

this state swung pretty hard to the dems during the 90s.

there may be some subtle signs that the trend may be stabalizing or even slightly moving back to the right.

by the way mods, can we get a sticky reminding people not to go out of order when starting these threads?

Two reasons why Conn. appeared to move to the right in 2004:

1) 9-11
2) no Lieberman on ticket in 2004

The state is safe for Dems unless the Republicans nominate a moderate.

Very Accurate! Those are exactly the reasons. If it weren't for those 2 events, CT may have voted 60% Kerry.

I get the sense that Connecticut is a state whose elections are decided by suburban voters, and suburban voters certainly fit the profile you've laid out for the state of CT.

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The state is almost entirely suburban, 3,500,000 people with no city bigger than 140,000. There are some towns with less than 5,000 people but they are almost as liberal (politically) as the rest of CT.

Social Issues reign supreme in many of the suburbs, they don't trust bible-thumpers, which is partly why Jimmy Carter lost in '76. Religion here is a private issue. The fact that the Republican Party is dominated lock, stock and barrel by people not only from a different region but an entirely different culture means only further success for the Democrats in Connecticut. Rowland, Rell and Shays are in no way socially conservative and that is why even I like them, although I never voted for any of them, and I like John more than Jodi.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

CT is also a suprisingly interesting state; not all of the state is rich NY exurbia. Some very important industrial centres and some very working class areas.

[Flying Dog]

dem for atleast another 2 presidential election