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A Party Transformed
National Journal ^ | Feb. 29, 2008 | Ronald Brownstein

Posted on 03/04/2008 4:58:28 PM PST by forkinsocket

In the crucible of the searing competition between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, a new Democratic coalition is being forged.

Their gripping race for the party's presidential nomination has not only increased Democratic turnout around the country -- often to record levels -- it has also significantly changed the composition of that turnout, possibly tipping the party's internal balance of power.

From New Hampshire to California, and from Arizona to Wisconsin, exit polls from this year's contests show the Democratic coalition evolving in clear and consistent ways since the 2004 primaries that nominated John Kerry. The party is growing younger, more affluent, more liberal, and more heavily tilted toward women, Latinos, and African-Americans.

In the 18 states for which exit polls are available from both 2004 and 2008, the share of the Democratic vote cast by young people has risen, often by substantial margins. Voters earning at least $100,000 annually have also increased their representation in every state for which comparisons are available -- again, usually by big margins. Women's share of the vote has grown in 17 of the 18 states (although generally by smaller increments). In 12 of the states, Latinos have cast a larger percentage of votes, as have the voters who consider themselves liberals. African-Americans have boosted their share in 11 of the 18 states.

These dramatic changes, measured by the Edison/Mitofsky National Election Pool exit polls posted for both 2004 and 2008 by CNN, represent the convergence of long- and short-term trends. Each of the Democrats' growing constituencies has demonstrated a special affinity for one of the two finalists in the nomination race -- young people, the affluent, and African-Americans for Obama; and women and Latinos for Clinton.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: democrats; party
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1 posted on 03/04/2008 4:58:30 PM PST by forkinsocket
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To: forkinsocket

Nirvana has wafted in!


2 posted on 03/04/2008 5:01:48 PM PST by gusopol3
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To: forkinsocket

Wealth and liberalism is a train wreck waiting to happen.


3 posted on 03/04/2008 5:01:59 PM PST by stevio (Crunchy Con - God, guns, guts, and organically grown crunchy nuts.)
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To: forkinsocket
In the crucible of the searing competition between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, a new Democratic coalition is being forged.

I stopped reading about there.

4 posted on 03/04/2008 5:05:47 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: forkinsocket
Moonbats are moonbats some are just vegetarians...
5 posted on 03/04/2008 5:13:04 PM PST by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: Cicero

And one ring to rule them all


6 posted on 03/04/2008 5:13:08 PM PST by Bertha Fanation
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To: Cicero
What’s new about this “new” coalition of women , blacks
and latino’s. And they’ve always had wealthy liberals
and hollywood elitist.

I remember growing up in the 80’s learning about this same coalition in civics.

Those lib’s are truly delusional.

7 posted on 03/04/2008 5:15:19 PM PST by RED SOUTH
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To: hosepipe

You might call them “moonbats” but these people have money and influence. The sad truth is that the GOP is shrinking, the majority of its members are stodgy old white guys.


8 posted on 03/04/2008 5:16:02 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: forkinsocket

The public school leaders and the bearded, pony tailed professors are celebrating.


9 posted on 03/04/2008 5:21:45 PM PST by westmichman ( God said: "They cry 'peace! peace!' but there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14)
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To: forkinsocket

wait until November..when they realize that the new democratic coalition was just a bunch of republicans who were screwing with the primaries...”What! What happened to all of those democrats?”


10 posted on 03/04/2008 5:23:29 PM PST by Benjamin Harrison
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

So then we’re headed for socialist nirvana? Where can I get my finger in some socialist welfare pie? /s/


11 posted on 03/04/2008 5:27:03 PM PST by saganite
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
[ The sad truth is that the GOP is shrinking, the majority of its members are stodgy old white guys. ]

Thats from ignoring virtual intellectual espionage on/in the college campuses.. Re-educatiion camps for decades.. Republicans did nothing.. even Bush both of them no all three of them call America dmeocracy..

12 posted on 03/04/2008 5:32:48 PM PST by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: forkinsocket

The Democrats appeal to those who subscribe to identity politics, which by its very nature is divisive.


13 posted on 03/04/2008 5:33:06 PM PST by ought-six
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To: saganite
So then we’re headed for socialist nirvana? Where can I get my finger in some socialist welfare pie?

I'm saying that the Republican Party has done a horrible job at attracting newcomers and young adults. The party needs to libertarianize a little. That's why Ron Paul enjoyed huge support initially from young adults and newcomers without compromising his principles. If the GOP would have supported some of his ideas instead of denigrating him all the time, they wouldn't have to worry about losing to the Dems in fundraising and vote numbers.

14 posted on 03/04/2008 5:37:05 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
If the GOP would have supported some of his ideas instead of denigrating him all the time, they wouldn't have to worry about losing to the Dems in fundraising and vote numbers.

I generally concur with this. Dr. Paul's respect for the Constitution was inspiring. WEO Alan Keyes I wish the others had shown the same respect, it's clear Dr. Keyes revers the Constitution also. Heck, I wish some had shown any respect. The people are looking for Leadership, Guts, and Brains. It seems we are only getting one or two of these traits when we need a trifecta.

15 posted on 03/04/2008 5:54:25 PM PST by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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To: hosepipe

I agree.


16 posted on 03/04/2008 5:55:44 PM PST by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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