Long term bad trend: party affiliation

[Bucky]

The 50-50 country thing is a gain for the Republicans. I snagged this chart from Polling Reports.com. No, it's not pretty.

Today party ID is 31%-31%-31%.

In 2000 it was Dem: 33% - GOP: 27% when BushCo moved in.
At the height of Clinton's power ('97) it was Dem: 35% - GOP: 26%
Twenty years ago it was Dem: 39% - GOP 23%

What does this tell us? What do we need to do differently? I'm not happy about this and I do not want to see these clowns back in office for another 4.

[jiacinto]

1. How many of these voters have become independent?

nt

[Bucky]

3. Independents are the gray line on the graph

Indies are down slightly in the overall trend--this may be just a statistical anamoly.

[Sean Reynolds]

2. Bah, doesn't matter...why?

Well look at the 80s, a PEAK where Reagan KILLED both Carter and Mondale in the elections. Democrats had MORE people affiliated with the Democratic Party. So even with close to 40% of the nation being Democratic, THEY STILL lost the presidency. So run a good candidate and they'll vote for him/her.

[1songbird]

4. Yes, there are some trends

that do not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. However, did you notice that when the poll participants were asked about whether or not they found the parties favorable or unfavorable Dems had a definite edge.

Republicans:
Favorable 51%
Unfavorable 43%

Democrats:
Favorable 53%
Unfavorable 39%

These numbers are the real story. It tells me that there are more Indepedants that find our party more acceptable. Others may disagree but I am thrilled.

[a_lil_wall_fly]

5. Hey......

out here in Oregon the "3rd party" movement is gaining steam and the 2 majors are going to wake up to a cold reality out here...with alot of blurred lines that some times can cause great grief for why someone of the Democratic party member votes for a Republican piece of legisalation and vice verus!!!!

[w4rma]

6. A) Dems need to become more partisan and willing to fight.

B) Dems are going to have to take back the media from hate-radio and big corporate interests.
C) Dems will have to learn to become even more inclusive of fellow Dems and will have to talk up one another, since noone else will talk up fellow Dems for us.

IMHO

[DrFunkenstein]

7. Not More Partisan

They need to elucidate the differences between the two world views, and do it succintly. You don't need angry bickering to do so.

[Mairead]

8. "What does this tell us? What do we need to do differently?"

I think the quote in my sig says it all. Or, if you want someone more prestigous saying the same thing, try Truman.

Over the 23 years since Reaganbush got in, Dems have been trying harder and harder to emulate the GOP and to not rock the boat. This is the completely predictable result!