Chuck Frederick, a columnist at the Duluth News-Tribune, wrote a fine historical piece Tuesday explaining the historical role the Republican Party has played in Northern Minnesota and Duluth, now considered a Democratic stronghold. Though not mentioned in the piece, the Iron Range was also a Republican stronghold in the pre-FDR years. All of this changed with the labor and progressive movements.
wholesale political realignment? New parties?
I think that’s what much of the country already thinks about the DFL party. Or maybe what the Metro area DLFers think about the Range delegation.
I doubt new parties will take shape. Many of us thought the Independence Party might take off with the election of Jesse Ventura but it never materialized (the moderates who vote independent are just not invested enough to make a go of it). Others like the Greens, etc all have some good ideas but are small groups of fringe activists that cannot generate much excitement for a movement. Who knows though, I have been wrong once or twice before:). Here in Washington DC (out here working temporarily) its all about the money- follow the money and you will find why particular elected officials vote a certain way.
Amber
Thanks for the post, Amber
I don’t doubt one minute that the donor lists influence the parties. True for both sides. Actually, it might be seen as more of a business arrangement between the parties and their regular donors.
The IP was a cult of personality regarding Jesse Ventura. Same with Ross Perot before him. That doesn’t work. But what I’m talking about is realignment. I think that realignment will ultimately end up being free trade/progressive and anti-immigration/social conservative/pro-tariff. That might not compute for today’s political parties, but we can follow the trend line.