Hi all,

This is my first post on this board, wanted to get everyone's opinion on what has been the root causes of the intense polarization of the American electorate.

The recent outpouring of public affection for Reagan has provided a welcome respite from the political bickering that has plagued the US political landscape as of late - and it seems fitting that even in death Reagan has the unique ability to bring together a nation in turmoil....but back to the question of why?

What are everyone's thoughts?

* Clinton vs. the "Right Wing Conspiracy"?
* 2000 Election: Bush vs. Gore and the "Hanging Chads"?
* Others???

(p.s. It is also interesting to note that upon Reagan entering the Oval Office, there were more registered Dems than Reps.)

also, if this has been covered on another thread, please let me know where the link is.

Thanks!

I'm new here as well.

I think there are other causes as well. Like the lack of voters in America. The only people who do vote are passionate, and therefore everyone sees polarization. But reflecting on Reagan, he was not only "bipartisan" - he could get many people who would not normally vote to go and vote for him. It's not that people are any more set in their ways now than they were before

There is the apathy of Americans. I'm not talking about the need for a guy to come along and claim it's morning in America, I'm talking about something deeper. Let's face it, politics have had a childish and uninspiring aspect ever since the printing press was invented for Martin Luther to take on the Catholics. But up until the a few years back, Americans decided to participate in this childish game of politics anyway, because they still, for whatever reason (be it God, or patriotism, or war, or other concern for the future) saw the importance of it.

It probably also has a lot ot do with the fact that neither Bush nor Kerry have mastered the art of the TV or computer screen. Hamilton and Madison used the written word in the 1780's - you had to write well to succeed in politics then. Churchill and Hitler used the spoken word over the radio in the 1940's - you had to speak well to succeed then. JFK and Reagan lit up the TV screen in the 1960's and 1980's - you had to be photogenic and...well, at times a good actor. Clinton probably came close with his charisma.

I think the main root cause has been the rise of the single issue action groups. In particular the anti-abortion groups, but there are many others as well.
TH

With regard to Bush vs Gore 2000, there is written into the Constitution a certain chronology of events during an election. It is not the purpose of someone to interpret intent (hanging chads). The interpretation is biased. As opposed to the issue of abortion, judges could not interpret intent of the founding fathers the Constitution was clear on the issue. The election was over. It was not a political decision. Any other decision would have been Political.

The New Mexico decision was decided in favor of Gore by about five thousand votes, and many questionable votes. The Nixon Kennedy election was decided in Illinois by dead voters. Nixon was gracious enough to let it go for the good of the country, as opposed to Gore.