Unbiased Political Question

[BDawg]

Why do the voters of some states (the ones that come to mind are NC and SC) have no problem voting for Democrats for local offices, state cabinet posts, governors and congressmen, but no matter how the rest of the country votes, they always give 50% + of the presidential vote to Republicans?

Both states have long histories of Democrat Governors, and both currently have high profile Democratic Senators, but yet both states overwhelmingly voted for Bush in his loss, Dole in his, and then for W. Why is this?

Please keep comments such as "because they don't know any better," or "because liberals suck" out of this thread. My intent is for an unbiased, serious discussion.

 

[Hammer]

Could it because the believe in the smaller, more limited role the federal government should play, and perfer to give the state or local government more power.

 

[GasX]

exactly - it is a fairly common belief (especially in the south**) that government is a good thing, but Federal government is bad. Thus you get votes for democrats locally to build up social programs and republicans for national elections to keep the federal government out of their hair.

**A reasonable holdover from post-Civil War resentment.

 

[BDawg]

<< Could it because the believe in the smaller, more limited role the federal government should play, and perfer to give the state or local government more power. >>



You know, as much as I wish people considered ideas like that, I don't think the average American voter has the comprehension.

 

[JupiterJones]

exactly - it is a fairly common belief (especially in the south**) that government is a good thing, but Federal government is bad. Thus you get votes for democrats locally to build up social programs and republicans for national elections to keep the federal government out of their hair.

This is great, and I believe that accounts for about half of it. The other half involves the fact that most Southern Democrats aren't as liberal as their National counterparts, and the South tends to be more conservative than the rest of the Union.

Southerners will vote for a Democrat, if he isn't far left.

I used to work as a political analyst in Alabama (local politics). The people of Alabama want to vote Democratic, and will do so if the candidate isn't repulsive to their sensibilities.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Why do the voters of some states (the ones that come to mind are NC and SC) have no problem voting for Democrats for local offices, state cabinet posts, governors and congressmen, but no matter how the rest of the country votes, they always give 50% + of the presidential vote to Republicans?

Both states have long histories of Democrat Governors, and both currently have high profile Democratic Senators, but yet both states overwhelmingly voted for Bush in his loss, Dole in his, and then for W. Why is this?

Please keep comments such as "because they don't know any better," or "because liberals suck" out of this thread. My intent is for an unbiased, serious discussion. >>



Because in the south, it means something else to be a Democrat than in the rest of the country (think Strom)