Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

The Democratic Party: Is Civil War Brewing?

Maybe there's not enough room for both elites and blue collars

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 24, 2008 5:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – Democrats are undoubtedly ascendant in the US, Joel Kotkin writes in the American, but the demographic shift that made it so may undermine the party in the near future. That’s because the working-class party of FDR is now chock-full of elites—two constituencies with different values. The richer Dems don’t care deeply about economic justice, and those with less money don’t see eye-to-eye with the party’s well-educated professionals.

One potential wedge is climate change: By and large, the new Democrats work in the "information economy—software firms, entertainment, Wall Street"—and are "not unduly harmed by attempts to regulate reduction of carbon emissions," writes Kotkin. The same can't be said of blue-collar Americans, who could be hurt badly by limits on transportation and manufacturing. The new Democrats risk a "new version of cultural warfare."

In this Feb. 24, 2008 file photo, actor Samuel L. Jackson speaks on behalf of Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.
In this Feb. 24, 2008 file photo, actor Samuel L. Jackson speaks on behalf of Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman, File)
Actor Jennifer Garner signs autographs outside a nightclub where she and her husband Ben Affleck held an event for the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Actor Jennifer Garner signs autographs outside a nightclub where she and her husband Ben Affleck held an event for the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, accompanied by Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., second from left, greet a diner at Glider Diner in Scranton Pa., Monday, April 21, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, accompanied by Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., second from left, greet a diner at Glider Diner in Scranton Pa., Monday, April 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shares a laugh with diners while having lunch at Luis's Taqueria in Woodburn, Ore.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shares a laugh with diners while having lunch at Luis's Taqueria in Woodburn, Ore.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Obama, Leaders Reach Agreement on Emissions

Obama 'Has 4 Years to Save Planet'

Green Fight Will Be Obama's Costliest

Next Prez Will Have to Save the Planet

Eastwood: I'm Not Politically Affiliated With Obama


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne