There have been four realignments in American politics commencing with the election of FDR during the Great Depression.
After 1932, the next realignment was a gradual one that evolved over two decades, the '60's and the '70's. The 'Solid South,' stayed solid but now it was Republican, not Democratic.
The Reagan Revolution cemented the realignment throughout the country as the Democrats became a minority party.
The next significant change was a modest realignment in terms of the relative political weight of the parties, but more important was the internal changes in the control of the Republican Party. That was Newt Gingrich and his Contract on America. 1996 tipped control of the Republican Party to the social conservatives, the religious right.
Now, if Mike Huckabee prevails in winning his party's nomination, we will get another realignment. The extreme right will solidify their hold on the GOP and drive out the moderates.
But short of the Democratic Party committing political suicide, a Huckabee nomination will provide the Dems a broad political base, hopefully not too broad, and perhaps we can resolve a few issues like health care, tax reform, the federal deficit.
After the November elections, Huckabee and his cohorts can retire to figure out how to rekindle American interest in gods, guns, and gays. Maybe that will take them a few generations of wandering in the desert.
Nothing is foolproof since Democrats can always self-destruct at any moment.
There are moderates in the Republican Party? I thought Dreyfus was the last one, and he just died.
Posted by: Joe R | January 11, 2008 at 09:41 AM
A minor bloodbath among national Dem leaders may be helpful - especially among talking heads, consultants and those working on commission.
Posted by: nonheroicvet | January 12, 2008 at 05:24 AM
You think that republicans wont line up and vote for Huckabee? Why?
These people voted for Bush twice!
After 7 years of craptacular leadership he still has a 30% approval rating.
Even as the dollar tanks, even as millions lose their houses, even after the iraq/afganastan wars killed and maimed hundreds of thousands.
Huckabee does the good old southern boy shtick better than anyone.
All he needs to do is call the dems a bunch of commie loving big government types who want to raise taxes and take away your guns. This simple message seems to resonate with many american voters.
The democratic party isn't any better, with back room deals to secure "super" delegates and the DLC securing corporate funding to manipulate the process and keep alternative energy and single payer health care sidelined.
Captialism does not produce educated voters it produces mindless consumers. This election will be like 5 seasons of American Idol.
My vote is worthless because by the time WI has its primary the party leaders will likely be chosen. Plurality voting further disenfranchises and diminishes the power of voters to elect candidates that actually represent them. I wish some country would invade us, overthrow our leaders and bring real democracy to America.
Posted by: Aaron | January 12, 2008 at 01:56 PM