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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 2004)
Voting: Demographics, living location play key roles in party affiliation Continued from page 1A Multnomah remain staunchly Democ rat, Mannix said rural and suburban Oregon is more Republican, and the party has gained more support from farmers, fishers and loggers. Despite the Republican Party’s gains, the leadership still lies solidly in Democratic hands. “Democrats in the last couple of elections have won all the statewide elections,” said Democratic Party of Oregon’s Executive Director Neel Pender. Governor Ted Kulongoski is a Democrat and three of his immediate I predecessors have all been Democ rats. Moreover, in the presidential elections, the Democratic candidate has won in Oregon since 1988. And although Michael Dukakis received 56,080 more votes than Republican George Bush Sr. in the state that year, Bush did better nationally and was elected. Still, it is difficult to classify the state as definitely pro-Democrat or pro-Republican. While Democratic candidate Bill Clinton had a clear majority in 1992 and 1996 over George Bush Sr. and Bob Dole, respectively, in 2000, Democrat A1 Gore whisked Oregon from President George W. Bush by less than a percent, according to the Oregon Blue Book. And in this year’s presidential elec tion, neither party seems to have a clear advantage — Oregon is consid ered a swing state and is being ag gressively courted by both President Bush and Democratic Party candidate Sen. John Kerry. Pender says the Democratic Party’s support base lies mainly west of the Cascades, but support goes beyond the predominantly urban areas like Portland, where there is a huge party advantage. "We’re a statewide party,” he said. “We think our issues resonate with people in the rural areas. ” Pender said changes in the state’s Republican Party philosophy in re cent years may have pushed some voters to look for alternatives. “Philosophically, the Republican Party was really co-opted by the Christian coalition,” he said, adding that in some ways this could have marginalized more modern progres sive Republicans. Mannix, who was once a Democ rat legislator, attributed the shift in some areas to the fact that Democrats have become “more ideological” while Republicans have become “more practical” about addressing people’s problems. Historically, demographics also play a part in which party gets the vote. McGhee said in general, more urban areas vote Democrat, while ru ral areas vote Republican. “Typically, when the economy is bad, voters vote out the incumbents regardless of whether it’s Democrat ic or Republican,” McGhee said. ayishayahya @ daily emerald, com Estee Lauder 10-piece gift yours with any Estee Lauder purchase of 23.50 or more A. A 65.00 value, your gift includes: • Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in choice of color • Pure Color Lip Gloss in choice of color • MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara • DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisture Creme SPF15 • Advanced Night Repair rotective Recovery Complex • New Lip, Eye and Brow Brushes • Black Mini Tote and Cosmetics Bag NEW ESTEE LAUDER PURE POPS LIP GLOSS B. Brush-on sweet pops of jelly-sheer gloss you gleam on with one quick brushstroke. In 10 fresh and fruity shades— from Berry Twist to Fizzy Pear. For no-mess shine anytime. 16.50 each. Be a star on our Holiday Team. Apply online www.bonmacysjobs.com shop by phone 1.800.345.2661 www.bonmacys.com One to a customer, please, while supplies last. ★bon-macys ^
