For the February 4 edition of Democratic Perspective, Mike Cosentino and Bill Timberman looked into their crystal balls to determine our political future.
Much has been written about Republican strategist Karl Rove’s 2004 prediction of a permanent Republican majority. Obviously, based on the 2008 Democratic landslide and the overwhelming re-election of President Obama in 2012, that prediction did not come true. So what are we to make of similar predictions following the 2012 election outcomes that now preduct a future Democratic majority?
Obviously, the political landscape can change quicklly, so we should take any predictions with a large grain of salt. But it appears that, this time, demographics are in the Democrats’ favor. The Hispanic and Latino populations are increasing dramatically. There are increasing numbers of college graduates and unmarried, working, and highly-educated women. Democrats have also solidified votes from the LGBT community by supporting gay marriage. Moreover, the millennial generation (those born between 1978 and 2000) is adding 4 million voters every year. All of these factions tend to support progressive issues.
And, when you look at the accomplishments of the Democratic Party – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, civil rights, the Affordable Care Act and immigration reform – it’s difficult to imagine the majority of voters not supporting Democratic candidates.
Meanwhile, as minorities gain in numbers, the white population and those who describe themselves as practicing Christians (the Republicans’ most reliable voting blocs) are decreasing.
The demographic realities show the extent of the problem facing conservatives. Is it any wonder, then, that we’re witnessing an ideological battle between traditiional Republicans and the more exteme Tea Party faction?
However, not everything is coming up roses for Democrats.
The GOP now controls the legislatures in 30 states which allow it to control the gerrymandering of voting districts. Indeed, as Bill pointed out, Republicans have raised gerrymandering to a fine art. This makes GOP control of the US House of Representatives secure for the foreseeable future.
For more detailed information, read Ruy Teixeira’s report for the Center for American Progress Action Fund or any of the articles listed below:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/11/has-the-emerging-democratic-majority-emerged.html
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/skeptical-emerging-democratic-majority_662162.html
http://www.cato.org/blog/emerging-democratic-majority
http://www.newrepublic.com/blog/jonathan-chait/86116/the-emerging-democratic-majority-emerges