Who is the "Democratic Base" anyway?

[mondo joe]

We often talk about "the base" in an offhand way that seems to me to be more about assumptions than about something quantifiable.

Who do you think comprises "the base"? Democratic primary voters? Activisits? Long time Democratic voters?

And what characteristics do you think the base has in common?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Well, that's simple...

We think it is grandma and grandpa and the guy down the block.

The GOP think it is radical homosexuals, communists, blacks, and Jews.

See?

[mondo joe]

2. Quite honestly, one reason I ask is that I had certain assumptions about the base - but

when called on to look at the demographics of primary voters (as good a definition of the base as any) I realized they didn't look quite the way I thought.

[Captain Hilts]

3. As someone who worked in polling, I'd say...

that older New Dealers are an important part of the 'base' because they are diehard Democrats AND they actually vote.

Members of the Democratic 'base' who don't have high voting percentages:

Single women under 30. They do not follow news closely and don't vote that much.

Low-Income blacks. See above.

College age 25 years and less. Just don't vote very much. I've read that 17% of those under 25 actually showed up to vote in 2004. Eminem's call to arms was at least six months too late.

So, some important Democratic demographics don't vote enough. Whereas conservative stalwarts - home-owners, church-goers and married people DO vote in high percentages.

[mmonk]

4. People. A wide variety as opposed to the republicans.

[H2O Man]

5. I am.

And others, as well.

[rock]

6. That would be me

Among many others. There simply is no chance that I would vote Republican (ptui!), and very little chance that I would vote Independent.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. The same as "grassroots Democrats" or "Joe six-pack" or "soccer moms".

A handy generalization for the politicians or political pundits to use to compartmentalize the individuals.who make up the many diverse factions that make up a fractious political entity.

[mondo joe]

8. But do you think, broadly speaking, there ARE generalizations that can be made about the base?

Or is it so diverse that no generalizations apply?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. I disagree with calling any of the many factions "the base".

As if they alone are the "true" Democrats who are the "deciders" of what represents THE party. Hell, I've been a Democrat for over 40 years and with the ever-shifting platforms and array of politicians of every stripe, from George Wallace and Zell Miller to Gene McCarthy and Dennis Kucinich I've yet to figure out what Democratic Party stands for.

[Marrah_G]

15. I believe when they say base they are talking about those people they can count on as a rule.

Much in the same way that the rebuplicans have a base of people, who, even if they disagree with the Pres on say immigration, will still vote for him. That would be his base. The ones who they can absolutely count on votes, funds or campaign work from. You can't really define it by special interest group.

[Yupster]

9. Exit Poll Answer

I looked at the 20004 exit polls.

How about if the base is any group that votes over 60 % for your candidate. Under that definition, here's the base.

Democratic Base

Non-white men 67%
Non-white women 75%
African-Americans 88%
Makes under $ 15,000 per year income 63%
Union member 61%
Jewish 74%
"Other Rligions" (besides Christian or Jewish) 74%
No religion 67%
Never attend church 62%
Gay-lesbian 77%
Abotion should be mostly legal 61%
Abortion should always be legal 73%


Republican Base

White men 62%
Makes over $ 200,000 per year income 63%
Born again Christians 78%
Attends church more than once a week 64%
Gun owner in house 63%
Abortion be mostly illegal 73%
Abortion should be always illegal 77%


Here's the exit poll if you want to see how big each of those groups are...

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html

[Captain Hilts]

11. This is a good list, but turnout among these groups is key...

Homeowners vote in very high percentages, which is why the US has the home mortgage tax deduction.

Non-whites have low voter participation compared to whites.

Low-income people have low voter participation compared to wealthier people.

[mondo joe]

17. Wow - look at the income disparity. Interestingly, the Dem base is

far more non-white than not only the general electorate or eventhe democratic party, but DU as well.

[Devlzown]

12. I think that a lot of people who consider themselves

left-leaning independents make up a significant portion of the Democratic base. I, for instance, have voted Democratic in every major election since 1988, the first year I was able to vote. I haven't voted in every election and I wouldn't rule out voting for a member of another party or an independent in the right circumstances, but because of my voting record I could still be considered part of the Democratic base. Democrats in general are more open-minded than Republicans, in my opinion, therefore nominal Democrats are also more likely to be swing voters.

[leftofthedial]

13. we believe it is us--most Americans.

the "democrats" in Congress, on the other hand, know the real base is corporate donors and the extremely wealthy oligarchs.

[Marrah_G]

14. I would say the base is people who will back the party, even when they make mistakes

(to a point)


IMHO, when they say base they mean the part of the party they know they can count on for votes, funds and campaigning.

[NaturalHigh]

16. It used to be labor - the people who work for a living...

Now I'm not sure the Democratic leadership really gives a damn about us so long as corporate campaign donations and lobbyist's perks keep coming in.