Political Base

THE TERM political base often refers to the group of voters who are most likely to support a candidate within their own party because the candidate holds the same philosophical and political views as both the party to which they belong and themselves. In elections at the local, state, and legislative level, base voters are more likely to support the nominee from within their own party simply because the dynamics of local and legislative politics relies on the majority, and base voting allows attainment of this majority.

The Republican Party's base is typically strongest in the west and the south. Specific demographics pertaining to the Republican base are as follows:

Race: Predominately white; African Americans are not traditionally known to congregate within the Republican Party (only about 15 percent in 2004), while Hispanics and Asians are on the rise (Hispanics 35 percent in 2004; Asians 44 percent in 2004).

Income: Overwhelmingly, the Republican political base is comprised of those with average to above average incomes. In 2006, voters with incomes over $50,000 were 49 percent Republican, while those under that income level were 38 percent Republican. In 2004 George W. Bush won 55 percent of the vote from the richest 20 percent.

Education: Those with an education only at the bachelor's level have been identified as part of the Republican base. The more educated voters become, the greater the tendency to lean toward the liberal ideology.

Age: Republican political ideology is strong among older Americans, indicating that political views grow more conservative with age.

Family Status: The Republican base is dependent on married families with children living at home.

Military: The military has traditionally been conservative, and, as a whole, is a strong supporter of Republican values and ideology.

Sexual Orientation: The Republican base overwhelmingly identifies as heterosexual.

Religion: Religion has always played a major role in both political parties, and prior to 1960, there was a major chasm between parties, with the south being primarily Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant Democrat, and the Northern Protestants primarily Republican. In the 21st century, it is based more on religiosity. Those who attend church more frequently are Republican; Protestant Evangelicals are overwhelmingly Republicans.

The Democratic base is usually thought of as being “liberals”—not in the classic sense, but as it pertains to social liberalism. The Democratic Party is the nation's largest political party with 72 million Americans registered as Democrats in 2004. Specific demographics about the base of the Democratic Party are as follows:

Race: African Americans traditionally belong to the Democratic Party; especially following the New Deal policies of the 1930s and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Blacks make up 50 percent of the Democratic vote in the south.

Income: Among Democrats, 41 percent had household incomes exceeding $75,000. The working poor overwhelmingly support the values of the Democratic Party.

Education: Democrats have majorities among those with post-graduate studies and full-time faculty (85 percent) indicating that as voters become more educated, the greater the tendency toward liberal ideology. Democrats also find a strong base among those with limited educational attainment.

Age: Democrats do slightly better among younger Americans.

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