Tammy Bruce: Democrats: Dueling Beverages?

Democrats: Dueling Beverages?

A post by Maynard

The Republicans appear divided between social/religious conservatives and fiscal conservatives. Many of us are wondering what "conservative" even means any more in the context of Republican politics. But, for better or worse, the Republicans have found their candidate, so the argument settles down for the time being.

It once seemed the Democrat Party was solidly coalescing behind the inevitable Hillary. But now the Democrats have their own divisions.

How to define the Democrat factions? This article by The Economist's "Lexington" sees it this way:

A famous political distinction exists between "wine-track" and "beer-track" Democrats. Wine-track Democrats have traditionally supported reform-minded liberals such as Gary Hart and Paul Tsongas. Beer-track Democrats have preferred more practical-minded pols. Walter Mondale famously hammered the nail into Gary Hart's coffin when he stole a line from a hamburger advertisement and asked "Where's the beef?"

Part of Bill Clinton's genius was to bring the wine-drinkers and beer-drinkers together. This was, after all, a man who went to Yale and Oxford but who grew up the child of a widow in the backwoods of Arkansas. Yet this year's Democratic primaries have burst the party asunder once again.

Obamaworld is a universe of liberal professionals and young people — plus blacks from all economic segments. Hillaryland, by contrast, is a place of working-class voters, particularly working-class women, and the old. These are people who occupy not just different economies but also different cultures. How many white Obama voters eat in Cracker Barrel or Bob Evans? And how many Clinton voters have a taste for sushi?

So is Obama being carried forward by a coalition of kids and eggheads and blacks? That makes for a powerful coalition within the Democrat Party, but it will take broader appeal (i.e., a "dream team") to capture a majority of the nation.

(It's worth noting that Tammy has been known to wax poetic on the virtues of exotic martinis. Could this be a political statement? And is it possible to like sushi and still be conservative?)

Posted by Maynard · March 12, 2008 12:59 PM · Permalink
Food/Drink | Maynard Post | Politics

Comments

"And is it possible to like sushi and still be conservative?"

Yes. Thankfully some of the best sushi in the country is to be found here in south Florida. And of course, the Japanese themselves are highly conservative, and they invented the stuff (and still presumably mostly like it).

Posted by: Dave J at March 12, 2008 01:35 PM

A coalition of kids and eggheads and blacks? Sounds like he's got the Steve Urkel vote locked up.

Posted by: Ruth Anne at March 12, 2008 02:22 PM

I fear that an Obama presidency will be an Obamanation!

Posted by: mrfixit at March 12, 2008 02:50 PM

Clinton supporters are more partisan and "old school" Democrats. They would tend to be the less educated demographic. Who but a partisan ignoramus would wish for another Clinton presidency? How can a Democrat really believe that Mrs. Clinton has 35 years of experience unless they are blinded by partisanship and driven by a specific agenda?

Obama being a black man has swept up the black vote which otherwise would have split probably 60/40 Clinton rather than 90/10 Obama as in Mississippi. Anyone who says race is not a huge factor here is in utter denial, and it is fascinating how this is playing out.

Clinton also holds onto those Democrats who believe Obama can't win because he is a black man. This group consists of people who may be projecting their own prejudices onto others, another "beer drinking" trait.

We are seeing the legacy of Affirmative Action played out in Presidential politics. Neither are fully qualified, but the management is under pressure to hire a minority.

Posted by: franco53 at March 13, 2008 05:47 AM

Mmmmhhh....fish is very good for "conservatives with a heart"....LOL

Posted by: steevo at March 13, 2008 09:01 AM

I'm a wine-drinking, sushi-loving, Sartre-reading, Ph.D-in-Humanities conservative, so . . . (Okay, I'm actually a libertarian, but still).

You may also not be surprised to learn that I'm also currently unemployed with that Ph.D. Oh well.

Posted by: Troy Camplin at March 13, 2008 01:16 PM

Also, my wife is a Mexican-American bilingual teacher and her gay best friend lives with us, so . . . I really an a strange kind of conservative (er, libertarian).

Posted by: Troy Camplin at March 13, 2008 01:19 PM

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