Posted by mair on November 4, 2004, at 21:58:44
In reply to Agreed » AuntieMel, posted by Dinah on November 4, 2004, at 16:40:35
I think my state has close to a no party system. It went pretty overwelmingly for Kerry and almost as overwelmingly for an incumbent Republican Governor and Republican Lt. Governor. You don't register by parties here, and there is no option on any ballot to vote a straight party ticket.
But what probably helps this alot is that the Republican Right is of little consequence. Most of the Republicans are centrist as are many of the Democrats so it's pretty easy to cross party lines. And by and large, politicians have always been very good about understanding that they represent more than just the people in their party.
I know lots of people would like to blame the divisiveness on the irrelevant liberal democrats, but seriously from where I stand, things seem so divided because the Republican Party has gotten both very conservative and very partisan, and in my opinion, George Bush made little or no attempt to give consideration or make concessions to those to the left of him. Not only have the Democrats been marginalized, but seemingly so have moderate Republicans, at least those who are in Congress.
poster:mair
thread:410892
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20041026/msgs/411927.html