The Republican Party is getting increasingly conservative. Discuss (45)
Historical Context - at the time of founding, the Republican party was abolitionist and pro-Unionist - since the 1960s they have championed American Conservatism
Election of Donald Trump, 2016 - Trump is not an ideologue, has no political compass (think: used to own casinos etc, but endorses evangelicalism)
2016 Election: 48% of white young adults (18-29) voted Trump, compared to 43% voting Democrat
Trump has taken Republican Party from 'conservative' to extremist, sympathetic to white nationalist views etc. - Dog Whistle Politics = has unearthed extreme conservative views from certain voters
Rise of Radical Factions
eg. June 2015 "(Mexico is) bringing crime, bringing rapists" - such overt language means people who held silent grievances towards immigrants/POC (such as poorer, white Americans who do not receive special benefits such as AA), now make their grievances known
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TEA PARTY: Adopted a parasitic approach, extreme right wingers grow from within - not there are so many members Republicans NEED the support of Tea Party members to pass any legislation; they effecitively control the party
2014: Eric Cantor , House majority leader, lost Virginia primary to David Brat, Tea Party insurgent! 45%-55%, Cantor spent $1 million, Brat raised $100,000
What do I think?: YES, Republicans have moved more to the right and are becoming the party of ideological extremists - moderates do not exist in contemporary politics anymore!
1960s: Conservative surge is consolidated by the candidacy of Barry Goldwater in 1964, vocal opposition of Civil Rights Act means landslide loss BUT huge wins in Souther states
1960 Election: Conservative Democrat and segregationist Harry Byrd wins 15 electoral college votes by Mississippi, Alabama and one Oklahoma (faithless elector) - wasn't even on the ballot!
1964: Goldwater, vocal opposer of civil Rights act, stands as republican candidate - landlside loss (61% v 38% pop) BUT carries 5 Souther states, first time since reconstruction era
1968: Wallace, American Indy, takes 5 southern states and 46 EC votes!
1972: Nixon carries EVERY Southern state and sitrict (and pretty much everywhere else lmao) - first time 'Solid Blue' had gone Republican
Increase in polarisation - no place for moderates
RIGHT refers to resistance to change, was the case with 1960s opposition to Civil Rights Act etc
RADICAL refers to pushing extreme change - is the case with Trump who has successfully demonised minority groups and pushes for 'taking back (our) country' and 'making America great again' - feelings of nationalism give people a sense of security, Trump changing what people believe American conservatism to be
Trump, and so collectively Republicans, embrace the otherwise resented white-supremacist nationalism with discretion - theocracy and facsism are common themes
BUT can say there is evidence to suggest Republicans rejecting Trump, and also Trump rejecting members of his party that are overtly extremeist
BUT Trump (and NRA) backed Moore's opponents Luther Strange in Alabama primary 2017 - Moore held very traditional conservative veiws ie. 'homosexual conduct should be illegal' 'Muslims should not hold public office'
FREEDOM CAUCUS: Formed in 2015, sympathetic to the Tea Party
eg. Speaker John Boehner resigned in 2015, due to firece opposition from House Republicans who wanted repeal of Obamacare (would eventually become FC)
former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, a Mississippi Republican, says "we're just as conservative as they are, but we have different tactics' suggesting Boehner's resignation is not a result of party become increasingly conservative, just a problem of factionalism
Maj Leader Kevin McCarthy expected to become Speaker, BUT FC witheld support - Paul Ryan then announced run, did not get full endorsement from FC (couldnt get 80% votes) BUT did get supermaj endorsement, would eventually win!
RACIAL FACTIONS NOW CONTROL THE NARRATIVE! eg. AHCA March 2017 was withdraw because of lack of votes, due to Freedom Caucus members
His defeat can possibly suggest Republican Party is not as extremist as election of Trump makes it out to be, BUT several other members of Congress are VERY conservative eg. 2015 sees creation of FREEDOM CAUCUS - holds 23 seat in the House!
eg. Senator Jeff Flake not only opposed Trump's nomination, but spent his career in the 115th working to support immigrants, something trump and most conservatives go against (although Flake still holds fiscally conservative values, still voted for tax bill, but this was part of deal with McConnell to get immigation bill on the floor)
With election of Trump, loyalty = conservatism. eg. Take Sen Flake and Sasse - usually extremely conservative voting recors, but has change with terump's inaugration, and Flake has even announced resignation - CONSERVATIVE: "Pro Trump" MODERATE: "Trump-averse"
Election of Doug Jones suggests Republicans are payign a price for their extremism?
Former Speaker Boehner called Freedom Caucus members 'anarchists', called member jim Jordan a 'legislative terrorist'