Heilemann: "GOP becoming a whiter, less educated more religious party" -- agree or disagree?

"...The Republican party is becoming, just truly becoming a whiter, more blue-collar, more populous, less well-educated party and more of a religious party.."

I think that's exactly the way he chooses to view them. I don't however, believe it's accurate. I know too many highly intelligent Republicans who put the Constitution ahead of their religion; I know plenty of stupid Democrats that don't... really, that doesn't say anything about either group except that they both have a few idiots with big mouths...

If it isn't accurate, why then does the right-wing fundamentalist (tea-party) element of the party call the shots on the issues? Particularly the "social issues"? Yes, there are less right-wing republicans in the party, but they are either unwilling or unable to challenge the tea-partiers on the party's "social agenda" platform.

If it isn't accurate, why then does the right-wing fundamentalist (tea-party) element of the party call the shots on the issues? Particularly the "social issues"? Yes, there are less right-wing republicans in the party, but they are either unwilling or unable to challenge the tea-partiers on the party's "social agenda" platform.

Please don't include Blue Collar in the same category as the super whites. The quest for power within the Repukikin ranks is taking a terrible toll upon working class America, as well as those who seem to feel they are above it all. A major power cannot survive as a service economy. We need production and production comes from labor. Its also apparent ever since Obama has been in the Whitehouse that he isn't white enough for too many right wing Christians! If, by some quirk of fate Obama should not be reelected we might all consider moving to Canada or Russia!

well written - thank you

I am not a religious person, but through this article, I have one more aspect of the religious world, thank you for sharing

Conservatives do not have a problem with birth control. Some devout Catholics, who actually believe in following the teaching of their own religion do not believe in practicing birth control so do not use it themselves, there is no conservative position that birth control should be banned. Yes, many believe that abortion is inexcusable, particularly with the simple and easily available methods of birth control - is there really any excuse in the large majority of cases for after the fact birth control, or murdering your baby - if it isn't a baby, really - what is it? They don't call it a fetal tissue or mass shower do they? In regard to the Republican party getting whiter - you have only to look at the deplorable treatment from those on the left for any brave black conservatives to understand that it takes a bit of courage if you happen to be black and decide to think for yourself. You are viciously attacked as an "uncle Tom", a race traitor, a self hating black and on and on - look at how Condaleeza Rice and Justice Thomas have been treated by the left. Favorites of the Tea Party are Allen West - sadly did not choose to run - and Herman Cain - who was attacked so mercilessly that he was driven from the campaign - by the left-only folks like Bill Clinton can have even a hint of being a womanizer, I guess? The left has to keep black folks in line - believing that the system is stacked against them and that all white conservatives are racists and their only hope is for the Nanny State to give them a helping hand by affirmative action, entitlements, and other government handouts -this is the modern day version of slavery - convincing people that they have no power to succeed on thier own merit and hard work. Tell that to Oprah - I think she made it by hard work and being a brilliant business woman - not because of affirmative action or food stamps or a welfare check. The answer to people having a low opinion of you due to the color of your skin or whatever is to show them what you are really made of - not to whine, play the victim card and demand that the government come to your immediate rescue! Then folks start to see the truth and respect you based on what you accomplish. We are losing what America was founded on by becoming a nation of whiners and complainers who want to focus on being constantly offended - and blaming any failures on others. I say get busy, stop noticing those who are insulting, negative, or underestimate you based on whatever and accomplish something on your own merits - that is the true path to freedom - not demanding another goverment freebie.

The Republicans since Barry Goldwater have consistently been the party of comparably uninportant ideas as opposed to the libeal democrats. Witness the suppresion of Gay marriages. I don't see how homosexuals marrying will threaten straight marriages when the latter experiencing up to 50% divorce rate. And that's heterosexuals. The defunding of Planned Parenthood. The only health source for many women with a full range of health care. Abortion being a small part. The privacy violations of people's bedrooms via Rick Santorum. R.Governors, the slashing of services to disabled people. The Photo ID bill that will disenfranchise tens of millions of low income people. Democrats on the other hand are for the environment, woman's rights, inocivil rights and universal healthcare.

If you had bothered to look into it deeper, like the Gay Republicans have - and there are many, you'd have found that your narrative is simply untrue. Republicans have no issue with gays. They may have an issue with the precise use of the language. Marriage for three thousand years meant an institution that recognizes progeny and legacy. The last time I looked, men don't get pregnant. What is, in line with the subject of the divisive and dumbassed article above, to suggest otherwise is both illiterate and ignorant.

Meaning that liberals in general keep on trying to reverse human nature and the laws of biology. How much more ignorant can one get than that?

Marriage is what it is and what has been defined for tens of centuries. Marriage and Gay is an oxymoron. It's like male lesbian.

There is no reason gay unions cannot be recognized as such and legislation passed to insure rights of legacy. Rights of progeny cannot be insured since men cannot get pregnant yet, as I had pointed out above, though some liberals keep on trying. I wish them the best of luck.

Did you ever hear of the Supreme Court ruling against "Separate but equal"? Try educating yourself. Discrimination (second class citizenship) is just that - unconstitutional discrimination. "All men (human beings) are created equal" - the Declaration of Independence.

Don't be absurd.

Republicans can't even say the word "gay" at their quadrennial national conventions. Republicans hate gays. They loathe them.

Why any gay with any self-respect would be or want to be a Republican defies logic. Well, unless they're just self-loathing.

MoRage,
Really? I'm a Tea Party Republican and have given both time and money to support gay rights and gay marriage. I know lots of others like me who feel the same way...

Clearly, you're painting with too broad a brush...

What have you done to support them, if you don't mind me asking?

The Republicans since Barry Goldwater have consistently been the party of comparably uninportant ideas as opposed to the libeal democrats. Witness the suppresion of Gay marriages. I don't see how homosexuals marrying will threaten straight marriages when the latter experiencing up to 50% divorce rate. And that's heterosexuals. The defunding of Planned Parenthood. The only health source for many women with a full range of health care. Abortion being a small part. The privacy violations of people's bedrooms via Rick Santorum. R.Governors, the slashing of services to disabled people. The Photo ID bill that will disenfranchise tens of millions of low income people. Democrats on the other hand are for the environment, woman's rights, inocivil rights and universal healthcare.

mugwort,
Have you forgotten that it was a Democrat president(Clinton) that signed the Defense of Marriage act into law... selective amnesia? I know as many Republicans who support gay marriage as Democrats.

Nobody wants to slash services to disabled or elderly; that's spin... what we need is to revamp the programs so they do more for the ones that need it, and are viable and sustainable into the future... none of our current entitlements meet that criteria.

I think it is definitely becoming richer! I know some well educated Repugs, but, I also am running into many many more who are NOT well informed, and, do not want to "hear about it!" I have a friend in Deep Gap, NC, who is a rabid right wing Evangelical, who spouts it all over Christmas letters (rather inappropriate when you are sending to more than just your family), and boy does she have her head buried in the sand. So, I would agree they are becoming more radically religious which is very dangerous when they want to ram that down everyone's throat! I do not necessarily agree it is becoming more white - look at the crowds at the rallies where the GOP candidates are stumping. Plenty of blacks, Asians, etc. But, there is still a great deal or racism in the South and in less educated areas of this country. Too bad. Especially since the Republicans tend to foster that. I remember the horrible people during the 2008 Presidential campaign when people were holding up monkies, posters, and making terrible racial remarks. AND, the most disturbing thing? The Repugs did nothing to diffuse that - especially Palin!

I also believe that the religion is their way of not having to embrace complex social issues. They can ask God to take care of everything. That, too, is dangerous. They certainly do not like change, nor do they want to give way to new ideas and ways of thinking. Although there are educated Republicans, one area in which they are sparse is in the Sciences!

I am always puzzled by why folks on the left tend to get nearly hysterical about how "dangerous" Christians are with their religious ideology. Really, just stop now and take an objective and close look at history and at what is currently going on in the world - add up the tally for mass murder in recent times - compare these three in an unbiased and objective way - Communism - don't forget to count Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, North Korea, Castro, etc - there are others that get little attention - remember one of the main tenents of these guys - Religion = " the opiate of the masses". They wanted unquestioning drones that could be manipulated by the all powerful State preaching that all of their problems were the fault of the wealthy and priviledged classes fostering rampant class envy and that revolution was the solution. Really didn't go so well for the average Joe, did it? Also -please add up the death tole due to radical Islamists - now there's a religion of peace and tolerance, right? Get real and get your heads out of the sand. Leftists are so blinded by their hatred and intolerance of those with conservative principles that they can't see the reality of who they really need to fear. Someday Bill Maher may wake up to realize that the side he's been promoting has turned on him and he will have lost the freedom to be outrageous and offensive. Bill may then long for the days when he had the Chrisitians and conservatives to kick around - because believe me - if you live in Communist North Korea, or Islamist Iran - do you think you could really be a Bill Maher and last even a week? Wake up - we don't have to agree, but let's keep the dialog open and stand up for true tolerance. Tolerance doesn't mean you support or agree with others, it just means you don't engage in personal attacks, or shout them down, throw things and disrupt to the point that they can't even express their opinion. This stuff doesn't come from conservative students when a liberal speaker comes to a university - it comes from leftist students should a Sarah Palin, or other conservatives dare to come and speak - they scream, and yell over, shout down and throw things so that opposing opinions cannot be heard. Ah the true tolerance of the Left.

Sorry - need to add the third to compare - that would be Chrisitianity - and I'm talkin recent -not going back to the Crusades,which never considerst the threat posed by Islamists at the time. Chrisitians tell you they they think you'r sinning and God will forgive you if you turn to Him and the Bible. If you are so convinced that they are wrong or that God isn't real - why is that so scary and dangerous?

Why did you not address the millions killed, much more recently by Communists - they are not religious, yet they win when it comes to mass murder - and I do think it is relevant to look more closely at recent history as being of more concern to today. Is isn't Christians who are out there committing mass slaughter right now, is it? Yet there is this argument, pulling up the Crusades as the example of Christian evil being just as bad as Islam or Communism, but it just isn't valid. Communism preaches that you "have to break a few (try a few million usually) eggs to make an omlet - and so they do, if you don't get in line you get eliminated, nuetralized, broken. Islamists call Islam the "religion of peace" not because they are in anyway peaceful, but because the only way for others who do not subscribe to their doctrine of Sharia law to have any peace is to convert or submit to Allah - then you will have peace and only then. Add up the numbers right now, in our modern times of who is committing mass slaughter - it isn't Christians. Folks on the left dismiss these two other threats and even embrace them at their own peril. It's like playing with a deadly poisonous snake and convincing yourself that it is bonding with you - when you realize the truth it will be too late.

You are hardly doing the "comparison" justice. Why would you exclude the early history of the Christians? The Crusades, the Inquistion, the witch burnings? They don't count?
What is scary is religous facism - of any kind. Muslim, Christian, or any other kind that assumes the right to compel others to follow their religious beliefs. The founding fathers were wise to prohibit the creation of any state religion, while still gauranteeing the right to practice whatever religion you subscribe to, but not to to impose your religious beliefs on others, through force, threat, or law.

Some of the most ignorant people I know are Democrats; education is an interesting thing... you can have degrees out your wazoo, and still understand economics, or social issues. I also know a lot of incredibly ignorant Republicans. The problem is when ignorant people adopt an ideology so they can let others do their thinking for them...

Regardless of the range of comments and the inane views expressed by media and political talking heads that run the gamut, the ability of people of all backgrounds to judge the actions and espoused views of politicians for themselves is discounted too greatly.

I'd agree for those who actually try. Those that follow any ideology blindly are just lookin' for a cliff to run over...

Absolutely, I agree! The present GOP is certainly not MY momma's Grand Old Party. She would shudder if she were here...

As, is implied in the cartoon, would Abraham Lincoln. There is no way he would be a Republican today!

Heilemann couldnt be more wrong! He is spouting the typical liberal 'spin'-swallowed whole by the circular logic Left who havent listened to anything but the voices in their heads for more than 20 years. Increasing numbers of Blacks are seeking out the Republican Party as their only respite from the Liberal Plantation: maybe Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Mychal Massie, Erik Rush, Alan Keyes, Anita Moncrief, Lloyd Marcus, Allen West, Condoleeza Rice, Ken Blackwell, Tim Scott, Herman Cain, Kenneth Gladney, Star Parker, Alveda King, Ellis Washington, the members of Project 21-The national leadership Network of Black Conservatives, the 54 Black candidates for office in 2010 on the Republican ticket, the several Black tea party groups . .and many, many more all need to be informed by their 'betters', the democrats, that they're in the wrong party. Among the above group alone there are many PhDs and highly-degreed persons. There is no real way to characterize the educational level of Republicans-but we are constantly barraged by push-polls and 'popular punditry' from the Left whose favorite insult is to call all opposition 'uneducated'. I'm sure Charles Krauthammer would have something profound to say on that issue. Republicans, far more so than Democrats, actually understand the Constitution and understand religion's place in maintaining the mores and ethical foundation of an orderly and lawful government as proscribed by the Founding Fathers-and as enshrined in the First Amendment.. And, incidentally, we still respect the great work these 'old, dead white men' did. If a substantial number of Republicans choose to believe and follow religious tenets, it could just be that they have been strong enough to shake off the Progressive indoctrination and intimidation of the Marx- compliant flock.

As one left-leaning blogger said about the OWS crowd, after spending several days in their midst: "They know only propaganda. They dont know any facts to back their arguments up!" He also, btw, remarked on their totalitarian hypocricy.

llspier... I agree with you completely!

Absolute left wing propaganda. The conservative movement becomes more diverse daily due to the hostile anti-American anti-Capitalist regime in Washington DC. Anyone that posts claims like this are surely neocommies (aka Democrats) and are scared to death that we might retake america before BO can Marxize (Black liberation theologize)it.

And "Marxize (Black liberation theologize)"??

You realize Marx was Russian, right?

Oh, never mind.

It's all good for the humor. However sad.

You are right to criticize ricardo_maxwell for his "Marxize (Black liberation) theologize(sic) it" comment, but you are incorrect in asserting that Marx was Russian! Marx and Engles were both German and they co-published "The Communist Manifesto". In addition Marx also published "Das Kapital". It was Vladimir Lenin who traveled to Germany and then took Marx and Engles' work back to impose their communist system on the Russian citizenry after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. If you are going to criticize (legitimately) someone's illogical statements, it behooves you to google check your own statements for truth and veracity.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That was good. Thanks.

'Ant-American anti-Capitalist regime."

Really. Thanks.