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YoungDemCA

(5,714 posts)
165. A majority of working class whites still voted Democratic for most (or even all) offices for decades
Fri Dec 30, 2016, 09:02 PM
Dec 2016

"We haven't had them in the Dem Party to any great extent since Nixon, when he used racist code to get their support."

No. Those were affluent, middle-to-upper-middle class suburban white voters who voted for Nixon. You know, those more "educated" and "tolerant" voters. In 1968, Hubert Humphrey won a significant majority of working class white voters outside the Deep South (where George Wallace, of course, got a lot of white support). Research the election results if you don't want to take my word for it. In 1972, Nixon obviously won in a massive landslide, and yes, he won a lot of working class white voters - but remember that Jimmy Carter won back a lot of those Southern working class whites who had defected to Wallace. And in both 1972 and especially 1976, the Republican presidential nominee did significantly better among wealthier voters (most of whom were/are white, of course). As is tradition.

And no, most working class white dudes did not vote for Reagan. Well, OK, a lot of them did in 1984 - in a 49-state, 59%-41% landslide. And once again, the wealthier whites did a lot better. The "Reagan Democrats" (a painfully overused and pretty much irrelevant term - most of those people are dead, and they either became loyal Republican voters or returned to the Democratic Party) tended to be more affluent suburban white voters. But again, take a look at the election results for 1984. Walter Mondale actually beat Reagan not just in his home state of Minnesota, but in many working-class white locales and counties in much of the Rust Belt - again, in an election in which much of the rest of the country, and wealthier voters in particular, voted for Reagan. You know, those same working-class white areas that Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump this year by scandalously large margins.. Same is even more true for 1988 (take a look at the electoral map that year in Iowa, for example - a state which Trump won this year by several points.

And remember....most of these places sent Democrats to Congress up until the "Republican Revolution" of the 1990s (and many of them even after that - especially outside the South). Which coincidentally, happened in the wake of NAFTA and the rise of "Third Way" Democratic politics with Bill Clinton and co. deciding that the future of the Democratic Party lied in pandering to those same affluent, suburban middle class white voters on everything from crime and taxes to "fiscal conservatism" and corporate deregulation. And all of this, of course, was done at the expense of working class voters of ALL demographic backgrounds - not just white men. And yet, a significant number of working class white men outside the South continued to vote for Democrats at most levels of government - and yes, many at the presidential level as well. And even as the Democratic Party was starting to decrease in strength among this group, a lot of working class whites outside the South (including white men) still voted for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and yes, Barack Obama. Hell, a lot of them voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential primaries. And yet, as we are all now painfully aware, there's substantial overlap between these voters (well, the ones who are still alive) and Trump voters - especially in the states which proved to be decisive for Trump's Electoral College win. Which, as far as I know, is still how a candidate wins the Presidency of the United States.

All of this is a long way of saying: You're wrong.

PS: Red-baiting doesn't really do you any favors in a political argument. Especially since there aren't many Reds left to bait, even among Bernie voters (of whom I wasn't one, for the record).

Fuck the white working class [View all] sheshe2 Nov 2016 OP
Apologies to Amazon jungle tribesmen, I presume... Beartracks Nov 2016 #1
Just my thought. pangaia Nov 2016 #13
The OP seems to think so melman Nov 2016 #17
plus a billion and this anti identity politics posturing on here and in the Grey Lemercier Nov 2016 #2
Don't you know.. JHan Nov 2016 #26
Dog whistle and it's sick and it's right here at du lunasun Nov 2016 #36
Rude pundit really needs to discover the difference between fact and opinion. guillaumeb Nov 2016 #3
No one says 90% can not be reached. sheshe2 Nov 2016 #8
I did read it and I recognize your situation sheshe. guillaumeb Nov 2016 #10
For Sweden that used to be true, back when there were fewer immigrants in the country mythology Nov 2016 #29
I am aware and thank you for referencing that. guillaumeb Nov 2016 #66
I was going to say. Beat me to it. Ligyron Nov 2016 #105
Your "Fuck the White Working Class" says EXACTLY that.. whathehell Nov 2016 #56
The white dudes cannot be reached. Period. Forget it. duffyduff Nov 2016 #9
I respect your opinions, but the term working class is necessary in the US guillaumeb Nov 2016 #11
The trouble is people like Sanders see the situation only in terms of economics. duffyduff Nov 2016 #15
But the term "middle class" is meaningless. guillaumeb Nov 2016 #19
Im a Marxist, Karl Marx was my friend and, DuffyDuff, Bernie Sanders is no KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #49
Maybe they meant he's a follower of Groucho? A Marx Brothers-ist? aidbo Nov 2016 #76
Bernie is only a marxist to conservatives. dionysus Dec 2016 #123
Republicans want us to ignore differences about race and democrats want us to ignore class hollowdweller Dec 2016 #164
No they can't, my parents recently had dinner with these types. Initech Nov 2016 #20
Calling liberals marxists is what red baiting RWers and 3rd Wayers do... dionysus Dec 2016 #116
Post removed Post removed Dec 2016 #146
Huh? The Third Way is the think tank carrying on the old DLC torch. What on *earth* dionysus Dec 2016 #147
This message was self-deleted by its author fun n serious Dec 2016 #149
Uh... okayyyyyyyy.... dionysus Dec 2016 #155
Well, I will show you... fun n serious Dec 2016 #156
A majority of working class whites still voted Democratic for most (or even all) offices for decades YoungDemCA Dec 2016 #165
Rebuild and expand Lotusflower70 Nov 2016 #4
So tired of all the hate. mia Nov 2016 #5
Seriously melman Nov 2016 #18
And it's really disgusting... SMC22307 Nov 2016 #23
Most definitely! True Dough Dec 2016 #133
Totally agree nt Raine Nov 2016 #24
This message was self-deleted by its author Akacia Nov 2016 #47
Yes, the hate that's illustrated by the OP, for instance.. whathehell Nov 2016 #64
In many posts Duckhunter935 Nov 2016 #102
It's pretty decent trolling, as lots of people, sadly, are buying it. dionysus Dec 2016 #124
Hmm, and some wonder why we lost the election. frankieallen Nov 2016 #87
Yep the hate Duckhunter935 Nov 2016 #101
You forgot 'inbred' Dems to Win Nov 2016 #108
That term does not include progressive whites who may be working class. Come on, you know that. brush Dec 2016 #128
I hope the tide is turning on this generalizing, mia True Dough Dec 2016 #131
+ infinity OrwellwasRight Dec 2016 #158
They all need to wake up and realize radical noodle Nov 2016 #6
Nobody had a majority this election. Travis_0004 Nov 2016 #12
They hold the house, Senate, whitehouse, and most state govs... And you say we won? Amishman Nov 2016 #58
agreed %100 !! frankieallen Nov 2016 #88
It's not our tone or message fun n serious Dec 2016 #154
Exactly. OrwellwasRight Dec 2016 #160
You would think no working class white guys voted Dem listening to these fools. dionysus Dec 2016 #117
Fucking perfect and 100% right on! boguspotus Nov 2016 #7
Huh? Do you say all working class white guys voted for that nazi? Wtf? dionysus Dec 2016 #118
Fuck them? Maybe not. But waste energy by reaching out? No. Barack_America Nov 2016 #14
if Trump's voters trended wealthier than usual, then it seems odd to blame it on the working class fishwax Nov 2016 #16
so, like the last article you posted, which had the same message about "fuck such and such" JCanete Nov 2016 #21
Yup with that attitude we better get used to being out of power Raine Nov 2016 #25
You're right True Dough Dec 2016 #132
1000!!!! I was thinking and posted very similar thoughts earlier. AgadorSparticus Nov 2016 #22
This.. this is what fucking frustrates me.. JHan Nov 2016 #27
Does that include those of us who voted for Hillary, donated, and Pathwalker Nov 2016 #28
First of all, I am white. sheshe2 Nov 2016 #34
And happen to be male? Duckhunter935 Nov 2016 #103
Calling this fact is silly mythology Nov 2016 #30
Wrong...just like you they RESENT being told what they can/can't do, say, think, feel, believe, etc NoGoodNamesLeft Nov 2016 #31
Yes!!! Akacia Nov 2016 #50
I have noticed this too. The Democratic Party has taken on a wide but JimBeard Nov 2016 #51
Hi, what do you mean by your last line? uppityperson Nov 2016 #71
I don't know what happened when I tried to loggback on. I had 1,500 post before the crash. JimBeard Nov 2016 #72
I found your previous account, it is different from this one, a different profile # and all uppityperson Nov 2016 #77
Very true Duckhunter935 Nov 2016 #104
Needless slam of Amazonians aside, I agree 100%. Garrett78 Nov 2016 #32
I have to say....I find it hard to sympathize with the "angry white voters" Coventina Nov 2016 #33
Coventina! sheshe2 Nov 2016 #35
I know, right? Trump ran the angriest, most violent campaign since the civil war Coventina Nov 2016 #43
;) sheshe2 Nov 2016 #44
-grin- Coventina Nov 2016 #45
Honey, you rock! sheshe2 Nov 2016 #46
As do you!!! Coventina Nov 2016 #61
If you can't acknowledge the struggles of others... TCJ70 Nov 2016 #59
Oh please spare me. The white, straight, Christian man's struggles. Coventina Nov 2016 #62
Your response is comical... TCJ70 Nov 2016 #63
Um, excuse me but the people you describe voted for TRUMP (by huge majorities) Coventina Nov 2016 #68
And why didn't they vote for our team? TCJ70 Nov 2016 #74
There was no lack of messaging to address their concerns. Hillary had publicly posted plans to Squinch Nov 2016 #81
Thank you! You said it much better than I would have! N/t Coventina Nov 2016 #99
I disagree! I've seen your posts around this issue, and feel that your voice is one that Squinch Nov 2016 #100
Do you think poverty is limited to the white trailer park? Do you think that the jobs that are Squinch Nov 2016 #79
Of course I don't think that... TCJ70 Nov 2016 #80
Yep. We are all struggling with exactly the same forces. And yet most of us were responsible Squinch Nov 2016 #82
In essence, old guy Nov 2016 #106
Really they want a fairy godmother, and they've put a tiara on his head and a wand in his hand. Squinch Nov 2016 #112
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about oberliner Nov 2016 #78
I am a member of the white working class, and I think Coventina is dead right. Squinch Nov 2016 #83
You are both entitled to your opinions oberliner Nov 2016 #86
There is nothing progressive about pandering to the kind of ignorance, bigotry and Squinch Nov 2016 #94
Agreed oberliner Nov 2016 #95
K&R! betsuni Nov 2016 #37
Now THAT is how I feel. rusty quoin Nov 2016 #38
This message was self-deleted by its author Akacia Nov 2016 #39
Post removed Post removed Nov 2016 #40
She lost the EC by 100,000 votes... that's not losing the presidency that's a margin uponit7771 Nov 2016 #41
Haters gonna hate. nt jalan48 Nov 2016 #42
Praise the working class. mia Nov 2016 #48
Fuck the Rude Pundit and anyone who wants to "fuck" any group.of Americans based on race & class whathehell Nov 2016 #52
Then make it about money greymattermom Nov 2016 #53
Sounds good to me.. whathehell Nov 2016 #54
Trying to divide people is never a good idea nolabels Nov 2016 #55
Tell it to the OP whathehell Nov 2016 #57
Rude Pundit is a college professor, i believe. dionysus Dec 2016 #125
What is, and how do you identify a 'white working class' ? nolabels Nov 2016 #60
The kickback to the OP is absolutely predictable NastyRiffraff Nov 2016 #65
A lot of these counties that went heavily Trump were heavily Obama Yo_Mama Nov 2016 #67
This message was self-deleted by its author Kathy M Nov 2016 #73
correct, so I would like someone to explain how all these millions of enlighten obama supporters frankieallen Nov 2016 #89
They want more than incremental change alarimer Nov 2016 #107
Couldn't agree more...if Dems try to work with the majority unitedwethrive Nov 2016 #69
So, let america suffer just to drive a guy from office? Hmm, who did that last... dionysus Dec 2016 #126
The problem is the "white working class" is in coalition with the Kleptocrat billionaires who... johnnyrocket Nov 2016 #70
. Iggo Nov 2016 #75
The problem is.... vi5 Nov 2016 #84
Post removed Post removed Nov 2016 #85
we have a real need demtenjeep Nov 2016 #90
So I guess it's all right to ALSO FUCK all of the MINORITIES BlueProgressive Nov 2016 #91
Black folks, women and gays have been hearing about how terrible and awful "identity politics" are Number23 Nov 2016 #92
You are here. sheshe2 Nov 2016 #93
Truth. Unadulterated. joshcryer Nov 2016 #96
And now you are complaining in another thread whistler162 Nov 2016 #97
What--did she touch a nerve? ismnotwasm Nov 2016 #98
There is a trend, whistler True Dough Dec 2016 #134
K&R Gothmog Nov 2016 #109
White working class said "Fuck You!" to you, with some power behind it. Want more? Dems to Win Nov 2016 #110
FYI- people are sharing this link as "Why [we] Democrats Lose: The Thread" jake335544 Nov 2016 #111
K&R samir.g Dec 2016 #113
They're already fucked. Orsino Dec 2016 #114
Yes, they were already fucked and to stupid to know that. sheshe2 Dec 2016 #129
I'm white working class, dem voter for life, and Rude can go fuck himself. dionysus Dec 2016 #115
Well ... sheshe2 Dec 2016 #119
These days you can't tell with all the rhetoric flying around! dionysus Dec 2016 #120
I am or at least was white working class. sheshe2 Dec 2016 #121
Well the trumpistas are only a portion of the white working class, and i doubt a majority... dionysus Dec 2016 #122
Rude was talking about Sekhmets Daughter Dec 2016 #166
Well said. I agree. F*** 'em. Missn-Hitch Dec 2016 #127
Current sitting Prez Go Vols Dec 2016 #130
Point? sheshe2 Dec 2016 #135
Its not opinion Go Vols Dec 2016 #136
................. sheshe2 Dec 2016 #138
lol Go Vols Dec 2016 #139
or this Go Vols Dec 2016 #140
Now THAT would make for a nice bumpersticker. Throd 2.0 Dec 2016 #137
As a white working class voter NobodyHere Dec 2016 #141
And why this thread didn't get locked. OrwellwasRight Dec 2016 #143
What rule does it violate? George II Dec 2016 #145
At least three from what I can tell. OrwellwasRight Dec 2016 #148
You're probably not familiar with the Rude Pundit, from which the OP quoted... George II Dec 2016 #150
I was unaware OrwellwasRight Dec 2016 #157
I don't necessarily agree with the nature of the language used by the Rude Pundit, but... George II Dec 2016 #159
It didn't get locked because too many people here agree with it's premise (nt) jack_krass Dec 2016 #151
This message was self-deleted by its author jack_krass Dec 2016 #152
Are you kidding me? OrwellwasRight Dec 2016 #142
Trump said what? :) morganallen Dec 2016 #144
I'm starting to feel unwelcome here jzodda Dec 2016 #153
It's going to be a tough four years for Americans, especially minorities. jalan48 Dec 2016 #162
I fear you are correct, yagotme Jan 2017 #167
Not good to say 'f***' to an entire group of people ram2016 Dec 2016 #161
Sounds like a republican ranting about black people. hollowdweller Dec 2016 #163
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