For an example, look at the Catholic vote. They started voting Democrat in the 1800’s as a reaction to the Wig party (which became the Republicans). Now, as the Democrats have morphed into an anti Catholic, if not anti Christian, party Catholics still vote for them.
Why? Because their Great Grandfather was treated bad by the Republican Know Nothings. It has become a tribal identity. Even the bishops are scared to confront anti life Democrat Catholics, because they know that their first loyalty is to the party, not the Church.
For someone to leave the tribal party, you risk alienation. Ask Alan Keys how much he lost by joining the GOP. To break that sort of tribal identity you need change the leaders of that tribe. Which doesn’t happen very often, and which we as conservatives are going to be at a disadvantage.
Now, I do believe we need to approach people on a personal level. Reach out to them. But we also need to be aware that the tribal identity (be it race, gender, religion, whatever) will push a great many away no matter what.
well said. we have to find a way to expose the tribal identity farce and make it cool for people to be an individualist and rebel against this manipulation. People don’t like to be manipulated. problem is most of these people are so brainwashed they don’t even know whats going on
Do not confuse voters facing the confusion between a Muslim or Mormon candidate, with actual faith.
Palin is Christian, and that will hold her in good stead with the church and with Christians.
She is not a Mormon. The confusion of this last election should not be encountered again.
The “tribal” identity you speak of is broadly divided around “interest-oriented” identification: Unmarried women (abortion, contraception, child care; equal pay rhetoric etc; GLBT (right of perversion); Hispanics (illegal immigration); Blacks (welfare and affirmative action); Asians (cultural and religious equality: 74% voted for Obama); Moslems (religious equality: “We are not a Christian nation”); SEIU (government and private unions); NEA (teacher funding, seniority, tenure; public school monopoly). These are all key Democratic constituencies backed by the MSM and Hollywood and Silicon Valley billionaires.
This all gets you to 51%. That’s how Obama won despite his disastrous domestic and foreign policy record. This now a permanent majority.
Half that church went to Satan. They don’t sing in the choir any more.