I think it’s one of those memes that have been repeated so often that shallow thinkers believe it. You never hear people talk about the “Anglo” vote because they instinctively understand there’s no such thing, yet we constantly hear about the black vote, women’s vote, Hispanic vote, etc. as though race or gender had anything to do with how people vote.
With very few exceptions, people vote their pocketbooks. Poorer people vote for Democrats, wealthier people vote Republican. In 2004, the Dems were bemoaning the fact that Republicans won every demographic group whose members made over $35,000 dollars—black, white, brown, female, male, if you made over $35,000 you more more likely to vote Republican than Democrat.
And yet, despite all evidence to the contrary, this myth that people vote based on race or gender persists, because too many of the chattering classes merely echo each other instead of applying their gray matter to the issue.
Any pundit who talks in terms of “the _____ vote” is only displaying his or her lack of real knowledge about voting patterns. Which reminds me—why on earth is anyone still paying Dick Morris a penny for his consistently cr*ppy advice?
Excellent analysis. Thanks. They got the memes alright
Hmm..I had a Poli Sci prof in college who said that blacks voted Democrat no matter how much money they made (1980’s)...