Building Red America: The New Conservative Coalition and the Drive for Permanent Power

American political thought and the policies adopted by the Republicans and Democrats have always been in a constant state of change, with each of the two parties scrambling to adapt to an ever- changing world with new concerns and new opportunities. In different decades, Democrats had the upper hand and were perceived as being in step with a large percentage of voters. This trend continued through much of the 1960's and 1970's and Democrats enjoyed either control of the White House or, at least, control of the Senate and House of Representatives. But things began to change in the 1980's when voters- many of them lifetime supporters of the Democratic Party- began to switch to the Republican camp. How this happened, and what Republicans did to make it happen, are the main subjects of this book. It breaks down, piece by piece, the Republican strategy that began in the 1980's and continues today. It is a multi- faceted strategy that capitalizes on the general support of big business; the importance of religion to many American families; the economic independence and classical economic approach favored by a growing number of Americans; and the general backlash of many voters against what they perceive as an unfair and/or immoral advantage given to certain groups based on minority or "oppressed" status. Author Thomas Edsall writes this book in an informative way and he refrains from making judgments or criticizing the strategies used by Republicans. All he wants to do is point out what his research (and the research of others) has confirmed and offer a few talking points on what Democrats can do to win back some of its disgruntled voters. This lack of opinion will suit some readers just fine, but it will irritate others who prefer a more scrutinizing approach. I like the book and I agree that it is an invaluable resource for understanding the tactics used by Republicans to reshape politics, but I would like it even more if it spent at least a little time talking about the deceptions used by Republicans. Like, for example, the Republican strategy to "Starve the Beast": Reduce taxes to cut government revenues to the point that government will have to become leaner and more efficient. As anyone knows with minimal research, this claim/strategy is utter nonsense. Republicans have indeed reduced some taxes, but they have continued to grow government regardless of the revenue stream; making up the difference by borrowing and exploding the size of the federal deficit. Edsall talks about this strategy like it is true. But most anyone can look at the data on government spending and clearly see the totals soaring skyward, regardless of the amount of tax revenue. Also, little discussion is made of the Republican tendency to increase the scope of government; making government more intrusive into private lives and attempting to legislate the Republican Party's own (im)morality on the public at large. Edsall mentions this fact only briefly when he talks about th

As a university student I studied American politics in the 50s and 60s, then taught it myself in the 1970s. before leaving academia for business and then government service. Now, this book has re-educated me about fundamental practices in our politics today. It is invaluable. The following comment will illustrate how this book is about "politics" more than "government." In 2000 when Bush "won" the election by a narrow margin, he initially promised to unite the nation, govern for everyone, etc. In fact, however, he/his handlers soon realized that he could govern from the right, given the composition of the electorate and prospects for cementing a strong ideological Republican Party. In sum, government was shaped by politics, not by the substance of policy. However, I also understand in part one reviewer's comment that this book is "Really Bad." Edsall is a partisan (though not outrageous), and may indeed miss the validity of some important complaints about the Democratic party, its programs, and its candidates. I strongly urge you to read the book and judge for yourself.

Edsall sees that the Republican party has increasingly become a coalition of the dominant (including ascending religious denominations), while the Democrats have become largely an alliance of the socially and economically dominated (including declining religious denominations) and those who identify with them. Despite Watergate and Vietnam, Republicans have controlled the White House for 20 of the next 28 years, the Senate for 18 of the next 26, and the House for 12 of the next 26. With American businesses firmly in its corner, the Republicans have substantial business acumen (eg. the "K Street Project" and its ability to mobilize all lobbyists to support the entire leadership program), added credibility in debates over taxes and spending, and strong financial backing. Meanwhile, Democrats have become a bifurcated party, with a wide gulf separating the liberal agenda of their leadership elite and the pressing material needs of the party's disadvantaged. To reverse the rightward trend of the electorate, Edsall believes Democrats will have to address gun activists tired of having to get a license, government trying to force integration and affirmative action down people's throats, stop preaching that men and women are the same (men work more hours), increasingly taking people's money, tolerating wrong answers from the IRS and long MVD lines, a never-ending flood of illegals from Mexico, vagrants in the library, etc. A large number of white males have moved from the Democratic to the Republican party over the issues of affirmative action and equal rights for women (increased job pressures), and busing, and perceived weakness on crime, and welfare - in '04 Kerry lost white voters overall in the $30,000-$75,000 income range by 22 points. The resultant higher proportion of women remaining with the Democrats in turn has led to a greater focus on peace --> another weakness in today's environment. Other structural weaknesses facing the Democrats, per Edsall, include a general perception of government incompetence (why give them MORE money), and ballooning healthcare and Social Security crises. <br /> <br />White, conservative evangelicals produce about 1/3 of Republican votes; their sentiments are reinforced by a dislike by the prevalence of self-destructive behaviors among poor minorities - eg. high illegitimacy, drop-out, and drug and alcohol abuse rates. (Democrats closing theses topics off under the disdainful label of "racist" doesn't help either.) <br /> <br />Early in Bush 43's presidency a staffer concluded the swing voters had shrunk to irrelevancy - eg. 75% of Independents voted a straight ticket for one party or another - thus, the true percentage of swing voters had fallen from 24% ('80) to 6% ('00), and being a "uniter" was no longer needed. Thus, Republicans are more focused on mobilizing the base, focusing on the anger points of their supporters (more motivating than their motivators), demotivating the opposition members, and inc

The author is clearly a Democrat, but the book gives an under-the-hood perspective on modern campaign techniques on both sides of the aisle.