What voters are looking for
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In the great national turning away from modern conservatism, an ugly undercurrent sometimes quietly bubbles to the surface. It goes like this: The Republican-friendly South is responsible for putting into elected office a collection of Bible-thumping theocrats, narrow free-marketers and unwise saber-rattlers who have managed to deliver an intolerant and divisive cultural war, an endless military bog-down in Iraq and Afghanistan and an economy that's veering off the rails. As the great awakening proceeds, so goes a cynical line of thought, the South should be consigned to the foul swamp it helped create. Voter turnout in 2008's Southern primary states puts the kibosh on this punitive bitterness. A majority of Southerners in the seven states that have been to the polls rejected the politics of immigrant-bashing, perpetual war and perpetual tax breaks for the wealthy. Thus far this year, more Democrats have voted than Republicans in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and South Carolina. In Alabama and Florida, Republican advantages are deeply reduced when compared to the 2004 presidential general election. In those seven Southern states, almost 2.4 million more Republicans voted for President Bush than Democrats voted for John Kerry in 2004. So far this primary season, that huge Republican advantage has evaporated. In its place is a 300,000-voter lead for Democrats. If the trend holds, we can expect the same today from primary voters in Virginia, a Southern state that went Republican in the 2004 presidential race. No single reason is responsible for the turning. Candidates make a difference. Democrat Barack Obama's exciting campaign partially explains the increase in Southern turnout among Democrats, particularly black Democrats. A host of uninspiring candidates on the Republican ticket have surely had the opposite effect for that party, driving down voter excitement. Something more than candidate personality is at play here as well — ideas. Americans, including Southerners, crave something better. The failure of rigid conservatism is stealthily on these primary ballots. For most of George W. Bush's two terms in the White House, Republican majorities in the House and Senate gave the Texan what he wanted. Tax cuts went to the wealthy few. Funding for the needs of the people felt the squeeze from administration neo-cons who prefer guns to butter. The failing course in Iraq was stayed. The presidential political experts excelled in dividing Americans for votes and flunked in serving basic functions of government. The handiwork of low-taxes/small-government Republican conservatism is evident before us in the ruins of Hurricane Katrina, a spoiled reputation around the globe, the growing federal deficit and the pocketbooks of workers who are seeing their buying power shrink. The South feels that pain, as does the rest of the nation. In fact, it's more acute where Southern state governments rule with a mindset of low taxes and few services that keep opportunity locked out for the many. We expect all of this is on the minds of voters when they enter their polling place. Months remain before the general election. The old ways could return; race-to-the-bottom governance has a loyal Southern fan base. A special effort from a special candidate is needed to loosen the ideologues' grip on the South. But, as shown by the primaries thus far, a majority of voters is looking for something better. Inside the Southern primariesA comparison of the voter turnout for both parties in key Southern states State — 2008 primary difference — 2004 general election difference Alabama — Republicans plus 24,780 — Republicans plus 482,461 Arkansas — Democrats plus 80,271 — Republicans plus 79,864 Florida* — Republicans plus 200,647 — Republicans plus 380,978 Georgia — Democrats plus 94,459 — Republicans plus 548,105 Tennessee — Democrats plus 69,208 — Republicans plus 347,898 South Carolina** — Democrats plus 101,031 — Republicans plus 276,275 Totals — Democrats plus 342,571 — Republicans plus 2,397,451 * Florida's Democratic primary was not challenged by both major candidates. No delegates were officially selected. ** Republican and Democratic primaries in South Carolina were held on consecutive weekends in January. |
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