A lot of the various culture war issues aren't "winning" issues (and are, in fact, probably losing issues, if they get in power and try to implement them) but they are issues that can be tacked on and that will generate turnout in places. Granted, these places are often reliably red to begin with, but the various culture war issues, whil…
A lot of the various culture war issues aren't "winning" issues (and are, in fact, probably losing issues, if they get in power and try to implement them) but they are issues that can be tacked on and that will generate turnout in places. Granted, these places are often reliably red to begin with, but the various culture war issues, while not central in a general election, will shape GoP primary outcomes... and keep some red places from turning purple or blue.
Although it is surprising what things can get legs (as you say). I would have never seen drag queens as an issue, given the history of the form and some of the big names that did it in the past... but here we are.
Drag queens had the audacity to invade the children's section of the library, and instead of simply not taking their kids to the readings, Republican parents saw another opportunity where they could tell everyone else what to do.
Republican areas are becoming known for two things: corruption leading to dismissals, and incompetence. Culture war issues do not produce good governance. They are merely a distraction. I think we are going to see erosion in red areas. We've passed peak red.
Undoubtedly, but poor people with limited to no resources make poor decisions, or just accept the state of things. We see it play out in historically impoverished areas all the time. The same concept applies here (see WV). The deep irony of it is given the cultural slant of most of those places you won’t see Dems or independents being voted in. There will simply be less and less attention paid to local and state government unless things REALLY go off the rails (we’re talking no running water for months level of incompetent). Those red areas are already eroded. The question is will people leave or push for change? I bet no for a very long time (happy to be wrong!). Theyll likely stay stagnant and the state govts continue insanity trend because voter apathy is quite high and tribalism is an addictive drug. I do think there’s a case for independents and more moderate Dems to actually try. You’d be surprised what a “sensible governance with no drama” message will do when things are bad, but it’s gonna take ages to get past the “R is on the ballot so I’ll check this box” mentality.
A lot of the various culture war issues aren't "winning" issues (and are, in fact, probably losing issues, if they get in power and try to implement them) but they are issues that can be tacked on and that will generate turnout in places. Granted, these places are often reliably red to begin with, but the various culture war issues, while not central in a general election, will shape GoP primary outcomes... and keep some red places from turning purple or blue.
Although it is surprising what things can get legs (as you say). I would have never seen drag queens as an issue, given the history of the form and some of the big names that did it in the past... but here we are.
Drag queens had the audacity to invade the children's section of the library, and instead of simply not taking their kids to the readings, Republican parents saw another opportunity where they could tell everyone else what to do.
Republican areas are becoming known for two things: corruption leading to dismissals, and incompetence. Culture war issues do not produce good governance. They are merely a distraction. I think we are going to see erosion in red areas. We've passed peak red.
Undoubtedly, but poor people with limited to no resources make poor decisions, or just accept the state of things. We see it play out in historically impoverished areas all the time. The same concept applies here (see WV). The deep irony of it is given the cultural slant of most of those places you won’t see Dems or independents being voted in. There will simply be less and less attention paid to local and state government unless things REALLY go off the rails (we’re talking no running water for months level of incompetent). Those red areas are already eroded. The question is will people leave or push for change? I bet no for a very long time (happy to be wrong!). Theyll likely stay stagnant and the state govts continue insanity trend because voter apathy is quite high and tribalism is an addictive drug. I do think there’s a case for independents and more moderate Dems to actually try. You’d be surprised what a “sensible governance with no drama” message will do when things are bad, but it’s gonna take ages to get past the “R is on the ballot so I’ll check this box” mentality.