Republicans' Right Wing Rainbow Coalition

By: Ben
Published On: 11/15/2005 2:00:00 AM

A lot of Democrats I know, many of whom comment at Raising Kaine, tend to see the Republican Party as a group of individuals who think exactly alike and have only small differences between them.  But they're wrong. The Republicans are a party of many colors; their own little right-wing "rainbow coalition," one coud say!

A website I ran across back in August, when it was posted on the 6th District YD Blog, hilariously (and accurately) describes the 8 parts of the Republican coalition.  Go to the home page and click on ?Become Republican."  Just don't have any milk or cheerios in your mouth while you do it.

OK, now load that up in another window, and let?s review who is who in Virginia Republican politics.  Remember- we can?t beat them until we understand them!

Virginia's two Republican Senators are John Warner and George Allen.  John Warner is there, he is a pink Republican.  George Allen is also there, he?s a red Republican.

In the last four statewide elections, Republicans have won Governor twice, Lt. Governor twice, and Attorney General all four times.  That?s 8 out of 12.  Let?s take a look at what those tickets were made of.

In 1993, the Republicans nominated George Allen, Mike Farris and Jim Gilmore.  That was a Red-Yellow-Purple ticket and they won both the red and purple.

In 1997, the Republicans swept all 3 statewide offices.  That ticket of Jim Gilmore, John Hager and Mark Earley was a Purple-Blue-Yellow ticket.

In 2001, Democrats were able to make a comeback.  The Republican ticket that year was Mark Earley, Jay Katzen and Jerry Kilgore.  That Yellow-Red-Orange coalition failed in part because Republicans need either a blue or purple on the ticket to have their best shot.  John Hager, who was not on the GOP ticket that year, is blue, and probably could have made the Governor?s race much more competitive.

This year Republicans nominated Jerry Kilgore, Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell.  This ticket of Orange, Olive and Yellow worked out pretty good for them, but would have been better if Jerry were a bit more appealing to the Red Republican.

In House races, the Republicans won new Delegates with Anne Crockett Stark (Green), Matt Lohr (Olive), and Sal Iaquinto (Red).  In Northern Virginia, their wins were Dave Albo (Red), Jeff Frederick (Olive) and Dave Marsden (Purple).

The GOP Congressional Delegation is also included here.  You can see Tom Davis (Blue), Frank Wolf (Pink), Jo Ann Davis (Yellow), Thelma Drake (Green), Randy Forbes (Olive), Virgil Goode (Orange), Eric Cantor (Purple) and Bob Goodlatte (Green).

Do all these Reds, Olives, Yellows and Greens help you better understand the Republican Party? If so, you'll be better able to fight them -- whatever color they happen to come in!

[UPDATE: Ben counts Dave Marsden as a Republican.  Most of us at Raising Kaine consider him a former Republican turned Democrat. Discuss amongst yourselves! :)]

Comments



Hi Teddy, I agree D (Ben - 4/4/2006 11:29:32 PM)
Hi Teddy,  I agree Dillard is pink, but we have to agree to disagree on Marsden.  I think Bob Marshall has his first ally inside the Dem Caucus.


The big question is (Steve Nelson - 4/4/2006 11:29:32 PM)
The big question is whether you get new colors by mixing them? I think it does. Check out my highly scientific findings:

Religious + Tough Guy = Redneck

Rich + Tough Guy = Evil

Rich + Relious = Sheep

Ha!!



The Republicans have (RickyD - 4/4/2006 11:29:32 PM)
The Republicans have been making fun of us long enough.  I was time for a good poke from us.

Hopefully their internal party struggles continue.



The best over-all an (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:32 PM)
The best over-all analysis I've seen so far... it's hilarious-truthful, and reminds me of those counsellors you see at conventions who sell kits on how to analyze your prospects so you can sell them something, or, if you're a personnel officer, how to match an applicant with the position you're trying to fill. Works for me.
As for this Marsden question, I am a former Republican, Ben, and had a long talk with Marsden when he decided to run for Dillard's seat (what color is Dillard? Pink?). He's a Dem now, trailing bits of past history like me, but a Dem nonetheless. Give over on this.


Your attacks on Mars (blueinthecommonwealth_VA - 4/4/2006 11:29:32 PM)
Your attacks on Marsden are getting old.

He's far from a 'pub.