Changes

This is part of a 30-year trend for political realignment in this country.  People tend to vote regionally.  At the time of the Civil War, the North was solidly Republican and the South was solidly Democratic.  Now it has shifted to become the opposite.

This is part of a 30-year trend for political realignment in this country.  People tend to vote regionally.  At the time of the Civil War, the North was solidly Republican and the South was solidly Democratic.  Now it has shifted to become the opposite.

In 2004, the Democrats may not win a single southern state, and Bush may not win a single northern one (east of the Mississippi River).  To win reelection, however, Bush will probably have to win West Virginia, New Hampshire and Ohio, which are in the North. He was able to win those states in 2000, but will they have moved to the Democratic side by 2004?

In 2004, the Democrats did not win a single southern state, and Bush did not win a single state in the northeast.  But Bush did win West Virginia and Ohio, which were enough to give him the overall election.

In New York, Mayor Bloomberg (a moderate) failed in his attempt to change New York primaries from “closed” to “open”.  The parties opposed his referendum to allow independents to vote in party primaries, and the parties beat the mayor.  Never underestimate the power of political parties.

In becoming mayor of New York, Mayor Bloomberg (a moderate) failed in his attempt to change New York primaries from “closed” to “open”.  The parties opposed his referendum to allow independents to vote in party primaries, and the parties beat the mayor.  Never underestimate the power of political parties.  But Bloomberg was able to overcome the power with his enormous personal wealth and obtaining the [[Republican]] nomination rather than the [[Democratic]] one, and won that way.

In Mississippi, famous Republican lobbyist Haley Barbour won the governorship.  So sometimes lobbyists become top government officials themselves.  The door between government and lobbyists revolves round-and-round.

In Mississippi, famous Republican lobbyist Haley Barbour won the governorship and was just reelected.  So sometimes lobbyists become top government officials themselves.  The door between government and lobbyists revolves round-and-round.

== Issues ==

== Issues ==