Opinion: How the story of impeachment tells the story of polarization
: “Whites who did not attend college were evenly split between the two parties in Pew [Research Center] surveys conducted from 1992 to 2008. But by 2015, white voters who had a high school degree or less were 24 percentage points more Republican than Democratic.”
Once identities are at the heart of political differences, Klein argues, facts will not change minds. People have chosen their parties for reasons of tribal loyalty, and a better health-care bill will not alter their deep sense of belonging. This crucial insight is something Democrats in particular need to internalize. The key to gaining support among undecided voters probably lies in addressing their identity concerns rather than their economic ones.
Because of the United States’ political geography, polarization affects the two parties differently, Klein argues. Republicans are a more homogeneous group, centered around white men, and have a huge geographic advantage, given the U.S. electoral system. Consider that they have lost the popular vote in four of the last five presidential elections and yet won the White House in two of those cases.
Klein’s book is powerful, intelligent and depressing. The American political system is not a parliamentary one in which one party gains control of all branches of government and can pursue its agenda. Power is shared among three branches, with overlapping authorities. The Framers despised the idea of parties and imagined constantly shifting factions.
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