Voting patterns do change over time - blacks were solidly Republican up until the second half of the 20th century, and the most solidly Democrat group in the second half.
The Southern States used to be virtually Democrat one-party rule - now Democrat elected officials are a disappearing breed there.
My own father voted reliably Republican right up till the day he died, and he has been voting Democrat ever since :-]
The Jewish vote is moving more this election than is the general population (maybe the most of any group). So that is an interesting phenomena. Is it a one shot deal, or is it a watershed realignment?
The switch was made in 1936, 1932 was the last time they voted republican, then in 1936 they instantly became what they are today, an overwhelmingly democrat voting block.
“The Jewish vote is moving more this election than is the general population (maybe the most of any group). So that is an interesting phenomena. Is it a one shot deal, or is it a watershed realignment?”
Both. I think Obama’s obvious anti-semitism makes a lot of still-liberal Jewish voters vote against him.
I also think the Jewish vote is becoming more conservative, or at least more Republican, as economic and small government become the primary focus of the Republican Party.
Social issues that appear to be ham-fisted-top-down-imposed-Protestatism is the primary barrier to the Jewish vote.*
* Note I am not saying this is right or wrong, just stating the issue.