URL: http://select.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/opinion/02krugman.html
The New York Times
October 2, 2006
Op-Ed Columnist
Things Fall Apart
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Right after the 2004 election, it seemed as if Thomas Frank had been
completely vindicated. In his book Whats the Matter With Kansas? How
Conservatives Won the Heart of America, Mr. Frank argued that Americas
right wing had developed a permanent winning strategy based on the use
of values issues to mobilize white working-class voters against a
largely mythical cultural elite, while actually pursuing policies
designed to benefit a small economic elite.
It was and is a brilliant analysis. But the political strategy Mr.
Frank described may have less staying power than he feared.
<snip>
So the right-wing coalition is showing signs of coming apart. It seems
that were not in Kansas anymore. In fact, Kansas itself doesn't seem to
be in Kansas anymore. Kathleen Sebelius, the state's Democratic
governor, has achieved a sky-high favorability rating by focusing on
good governance rather than culture wars, and her party believes it
will win big this year.
And nine former Kansas Republicans, including Mark Parkinson, the
former state G.O.P. chairman, are now running for state office as
Democrats. Why did Mr. Parkinson change parties? Because he got tired
of the theological debate over whether Charles Darwin was right.
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Full at: URL: http://select.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/opinion/02krugman.html
(I can also send it to anyone who doesn't have Timeselect. Just ask offlist.)
Michael