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Article published Feb 20, 2005
Democratic Party's future: Democrats must energize urban base
nationally, while S.C. presents bigger hurdles
BARRY WYNN
For the Herald-Journal
South Carolina
Republicans celebrated after their victories in November. Jim DeMint's
successful campaign over Inez Tenenbaum ended any threat the Democrats had of
recapturing political momentum.The foundation for these victories was built in
the 1960s and gained momentum during the Ronald Reagan years. South Carolina was
ahead of its neighbors in moving toward the Republican Party, due in part to the
popularity of Sen. Strom Thurmond and Gov. Carroll Campbell. Other Southern
states have followed South Carolina over the past decade as the national
realignment unfolded.Nationally, the November election was a historic victory
for President Bush and Republicans. The president won more than 50 percent of
the popular vote, something that Bill Clinton failed to do twice. Bush broke
Reagan's record for votes received by almost 5 million and became the first
president since 1936 to increase his own vote and increase his party's
majorities in both the House and Senate. In addition, the president increased
his personal margin in 45 states and won 97 of the nation's 100 fastest growing
counties.This victory came in spite of a well-funded political machine organized
by John Kerry and the Democrats. Republicans and their various interest groups
were outspent by $100 million, and most of these funds were spent in urban
strongholds to register and turn out new Democratic voters. Tactically, this was
the best use of energy and financial resources for Kerry.But the real story of
the election may be the growing political and philosophical divide between major
urban centers and middle America. These surviving citadels of Democratic support
are "bluer" (more Democrat) than they were in the 1980s, but they are surrounded
by "red" suburbs, exurbs, micro-politan communities and rural areas that have
grown more conservative and more Republican. The majority of voters in these
areas have different views and values and are not influenced by trendy
entertainers or media elites. They are generally independent thinkers who do
care about declining moral and spiritual values and have developed alternative
sources for their news.This philosophical and values division between the major
urban centers and middle America has developed over three decades and will
likely continue. These centers will remain strong for Democrats and will make
them competitive in national campaigns.Unfortunately for Democrats in South
Carolina, the future looks less hopeful. South Carolina does not have a major
urban center to serve as a political beachhead. Our state is dominated by rural,
suburban and micro-politan communities. These communities are target-rich for
Republicans and are very receptive to the national Republican message of
individual freedom, conservative values and optimism about America.The national
Democrats have no choice but to present a message that energizes their urban
base. What chance would Hillary Clinton have in Illinois without Chicago, in
Ohio without Cleveland, in New York state without New York City or in California
without Los Angeles?This positioning will make it difficult for South Carolina
Democrats to realistically challenge Gov. Mark Sanford next year. Strategically,
it is difficult to present a statewide message different than the national
message.Hopefully, both parties will agree that perpetual campaigning is not
constructive to solving our long-term problems. This year presents the country
and the state a great opportunity to get beyond adversarial politics and work
together to improve the lives of our citizens. Voters in 2006 and 2008 may
reward the officeholders who were problem solvers instead of political
opportunists.Barry Wynn, president ofColonial Trust Co., servedon the National
FinanceCommittee for Bush-Cheney.