Jennifer Donahue
NHIOP Political Director & Harvard IOP Fellow
The main Republican talking point coming out of the shock and awe election last week is that we are a "center-right country." Tell me then, how did Barack Obama get elected by an overwhelming electoral sweep and a decisive popular vote differential? How did the Democrats keep and grow control in Congress?
David Brooks outlined on Tuesday the split between the "reformists" and the "traditionalists" in the Republican party. The center-right tension exists within, not outside, the Republican party. With 51% of people polled saying they want to see a more activist government, the highest number since 1992, surely we are at least a center-center country right now.
A 2007 PEW center poll found that from 1994 till now, 12 percent more Americans feel the "government should care for those who can't care for themselves... even if it means greater debt."
As a political analyst, I like evidence. I like to describe what is, not what is "brandable". The idea that we are a "center-right" country is wishful spin, considering that we voted differently.
| Joy, Fort Gordon, Georgia |
November 12th, 2008 5:12 pm ET I agree we are not a center right nation and I ask when were we ever a center right nation. I am a left winger as many other people that I know and we are part of this nation as well. The reality is that this nation is neither a center right or a center left it is just plain in the Center, because when it comes down to ideology and political affiliation this nation is pretty much evenly divided so we must work from the center to have an effective governement and working nation. It all just sounds like right wingers are trying to calm themselves about the ridiculious notion that there is going to be some radical liberal takeover of the nation, I personally would not mind, but it will not be a realistic way to run this country and Obama is smart enough to run the governement from the center. |
|
| Sandra |
November 12th, 2008 5:18 pm ET Obama ran his campaign in the center, acting very much like Reagan, but I fear he will run his presidency much more like Carter. |
|
| Cindy |
November 12th, 2008 5:18 pm ET Umm...need it be said again! It was the economy stupid, OK along with the hate of all things Bush. If you go by the exit polls over 60% only voted for Obama because of those two things. They didn't care about him or his policies. They just wanted to punish the party in control at the time of this mess. Cindy...Ga. |
|
| Mike, Syracuse NY |
November 12th, 2008 5:22 pm ET How did gay marriage get banned in CA and other states that voted for Obama? How did affirmative action get overturned in several states? Obama got elected with 51% of the vote, but only 32.7% of those eligible to vote. Think about it. More than two-thirds of Americans who could have voted didn't vote for him. Don't read more into this than the fact that Obama ran against Bush and won. He had the advantage of a perfect storm in the economy. Don't play taps for conservatives yet. |
|
| Rockford |
November 12th, 2008 5:37 pm ET As a political analyst, I like evidence. I like to describe what is, not what is “brandable”. The idea that we are a “center-right” country is wishful spin, considering that we voted differently. Not on prop 8 in California! Oh... I don't think the Republicans are in as bad a shape as we think... see Carter 76... or the first congress election after Clinton 92... where we are remains to be seen. |
|
| Marquis |
November 12th, 2008 6:59 pm ET Very much a wishful spin look at the results of election day.America is center left. |
|
| Chuck Jones, Pittsburgh PA |
November 12th, 2008 7:00 pm ET Anderson – Is anyone else annoyed with the fact that Sarah Palin is always on TV each day giving interviews to the same "Elite Media" which she heavily criticized during the campaign? I would like to hear more from McCain who was the front runner. He has gracefully conceited but SP is certainly soaking in every opportunity to stay in front of the cameras. I think that is very much like a DIVA and McCain’s camp was likely correct about her ambitions. |
|
| Claudia, Houston, Tx |
November 12th, 2008 7:41 pm ET Republicans are Republicans that exclude non-republicans and that has proven to be wrong way now and in the future. |
|
|
Comments have been closed for this article |
||
A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.
We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.
For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.
Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.
- Real-life effects of reform getting lost in the noise
- Evening Buzz: Buying Health Care Reform Votes
- Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 12/21/09
- U.S. soldiers in Iraq could face courts-martial for getting pregnant
- FAQs about health care reform
- Interactive: Brittany Murphy’s acting career
- Senate health care reform bill
- House health care reform bill
- Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players
- Video: Child custody battle continues
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2005

