
Pro Politics with Zac McCrary
Author & Pollster Patrick Ruffini on His New Book, PARTY OF THE PEOPLE, & the Changing GOP Coalition
Nov 7, 2023
Patrick Ruffini, pollster at Echelon Strategies, discusses his new book on the changing GOP coalition, highlighting the party's success with blue-collar voters. He explores economic vs. cultural priorities, the influence of flawed 2012 exit polls, tensions within the Democratic coalition, missed GOP opportunities, and recent data among Hispanic voters. The podcast also delves into the historical evolution of Democrats as the party of the working class, the complexities of biracial and multiracial voters, and the role of foreign policy in the rise of the populist coalition.
52:07
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Quick takeaways
- The Republican Party has undergone a transformation, positioning itself as the party of the working class by expanding its appeal among blue-collar voters of all races.
- Cultural issues such as abortion, gay rights, and race relations have significant influence on voting behavior, often outweighing economic concerns and shaping partisan loyalties.
Deep dives
Transformation of the Republican Party in the Last Decade
The podcast episode discusses the transformation of the Republican Party over the past decade, highlighting its shift towards becoming the party of the working class. The episode delves into how the party has countered its reputation as the party of wealthy white CEOs and overcome demographic challenges by improving its appeal among working-class voters of all races. The conversation emphasizes the role of former President Trump in reshaping the party's coalition, with a focus on white non-college-educated voters, Hispanic voters, Asian voters, and even Black voters. Overall, it explores the idea that the Republican Party is now positioning itself as the party of the people.
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