In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal (that beacon of liberalism) , Jackie Calmes discusses the increasing defections in the business community away from the Republican Party. Many in the business community are increasingly feeling unwelcome in a party concerned primarily with divisive social issues and only secondarily concerned with economic issues. While the article does not go so far as to say these people are automatically signing onto the Democratic Party, it is clear that these defections can and should be capitalized upon by Democrats.
Some important excerpts:
Some business leaders are drifting away from the party because of the war in Iraq, the growing federal debt and a conservative social agenda they don't share. In manufacturing sectors such as the auto industry, some Republicans want direct government help with soaring health-care costs, which Republicans in Washington have been reluctant to provide. And some business people want more government action on global warming, arguing that a bolder plan is not only inevitable, but could spur new industries.
The most prominent sign of dissatisfaction has come from former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, long a pillar of Republican Party economic thinking. He blasted the party's fiscal record in a new book. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, he said: "The Republican Party, which ruled the House, the Senate and the presidency, I no longer recognize."
Polling Data
But polling data confirm business support for Republicans is eroding. In the Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll in September, 37% of professionals and managers identify themselves as Republican or leaning Republican, down from 44% three years ago.
Some of the most compelling evidence suggesting a redefinition of the Republican Party comes from prominent Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio. Earlier this year, he surveyed 2,000 Republican voters, updating his similarly exhaustive poll of 10 years ago. In 1997, about half of Republicans said they were motivated mainly by economic issues, and about half by social and moral issues. This year, the culturally conservative wing was roughly the same size, but economic conservatives accounted for just one in six Republicans. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the ranks of Republicans whose main concern is defense have grown after subsiding with the end of the Cold War.
The economic conservatives, Mr. Fabrizio found, are split into opposing camps: "free market" conservatives opposed to any new taxes, spending and regulations; and what he calls "government-knows-best" moderates, who sometimes favor regulations and higher taxes for causes such as education, environmental programs or infrastructure.
So, what does this have to do with Bob Olson? As a businessman and a Democrat, who better to express to the substantial business community in the 6th district how the Republican Party has abandoned their interests in favor of social issues with little relevance on their day to day lives. Certainly, Michele Bachmann has shown little interest in helping the business community (especially small business) and has resigned herself to voting in the ultra minority time and time again.
