Your textbook authors assert, "if you were to tell me your educational background, class, race, and gender, I would probably be able to predict who you are going to vote for with considerable accuracy."

Question

Justify this statement by discussing how party affiliation or voting are related to these characteristics, using examples from American politics.
What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Class – Poor, working-class, lower-middle- class, and blue-collar trade unionists tend to be Democrats, while wealthy, upper-middle-class, white-collar individuals tend to be Republicans. In the 2008 election, Republican McCain beat Obama in high-earning households, though he did lose to Obama in the highest-earning households. Education – Generally, the higher educational levels go Democratic, and the lower Republican. However, in the 2008 election, Obama beat McCain at every education level, especially the highest and lowest. Race – most racial and ethnic minorities have been Democratic since the 30s, although the percent was declining as more minorities became affluent and professional. However, in the 2008 election, minorities overwhelmingly voted for Obama. Whites were the only group voting for McCain over Obama. Gender – Women are more likely than men to vote Democratic, but again the percentages have been declining. Women were more likely to vote for Obama than McCain, with women of color overwhelmingly supporting Obama. Age – Younger voters tend to vote democratic rather than republican. In 2008, only older voters over 65 preferred McCain; all other age groups were more likely to vote for Obama.