Frank's idea is that low income white voters, in the south especially, vote for republicans because they are tricked into voting based on moral conservatism that the republican party holds high even if it means voting for economic policy that helps only the upper income parts of America. This is the argument that I feel seems to be most truthful.
What Frank mentioned that seems to make this argument have the most strength is that there is so much propaganda in the south based on moral issues vs. the economy. It is shown to the Midwest and southerners that to be a republican means that you are the "every day average American". The republicans have tried hard to be the common man and uphold loyal religions hard working values. What I think strengthens this argument is that in many peoples eyes George Bush was seen as the "Average American man". I have heard from many that he is the president people would feel most comfortable just "having a beer" with. That he seems to have good values and that he represents the south. This focus on character and the idea of a republican having a certain "character" is what takes the focus off the real economic issues at hand.
The 2008 elections almost strengthened Frank's argument for me. Even though Obama won across the board and even though he did win some "red states" there are still cases in which this idea of "moral values over economic" that stands out within the red states. The first issue that comes to mind is that the McCain campaign used "Joe the Plumber" who was not as average as they portrayed him to be, to relate to this "average southern moral ideal". When looking further past this and at the exit polls Franks idea is strengthened even more. In the Kansas exit polls for 2008 it shows that over 50% of whites in Kansas voted for McCain even when they said they were concerned about the economy. It also shows that 78% of white evangelical born-again's voted republican based on religion which is a strong factor in "moral values". It still brings one to wonder that if people are concerned and upset about the economy that the republicans had created in the past 8 years, then why are they still voting republican? This is the question Frank wanted to know in 2004, and that still makes people wonder now. Values and this propaganda idea of the red state character is my only answer.
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Your argument based on propaganda in the south was something that i overlooked. I think that it adds to the point I was trying to make, which seems to be in line with the point you made.
ReplyDeleteThe 2008 election does support your propaganda defense. It also shows that well some people that voted for Obama, based mainly on race, may be "should not have". I would have benefited the African Americans that were of the upper income bracket to vote republican, but many still voted for Obama.
I have always been amused by the absurd argument about the common man being able to relate to the president. Quite the contrary, the president should be exceptional and beyond any sort of comparison to a regular guy. It is refreshing that we now have a president who is able to use logic and reason, and possesses an intellectual curiosity. I do agree that the Republicans used this barometer to distract many voters from more pertinent issues in 2004.
ReplyDeleteWhich one had a more compelling arguement with the data provided?
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