New Minnesota Politics: Changing of the Guard
The emerging politics of principle over party.....though party is still important.
The StarTribune published an article I read with interest. It is entitled: Alaska's embattled GOP leaders under fire as other Republicans move to remake party's image. It is a rather lengthy article, but I will quote interesting portions of the story I find relevant to this years political environment in Minnesota. It is an attitude I have found very prominent in speaking with both Democrats and Republicans. In reading the other blogs here in Minnesota it seems others are finding similar situations on both sides of the isle.
I am a Generation Xer, and I have had a unique perspective because I have watched the World War II generation start to leave in totality here in Clarissa. This generation has been a major block of my supporters even in our small city. I have watched it change rapidly over the past five years.
Our generation, myself included, have some real angst about this exit because we have had a great relationship and true respect for the Greatest Generation. Our relationship with the Baby Boomers has been much more strained because of different views stretching from every aspect of life not just in political philosophy.
Even today the Baby Boom generation begins their retirement in mass and will assume different roles as it relates to political leadership. It means the political landscape is changing quickly, and from my experiences over the past year the emerging attitudes and results have been striking. The example below on what is happening in Alaska is another relevant story of this change.
(Alaska Republican) Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell said he would challenge U.S. Rep. Don Young, the 18-term incumbent who's the subject of a federal investigation that includes his campaign finance practices.
"The days of unquestioning loyalty are gone," Parnell said a few hours later after filing candidacy paperwork. "It's time for principled leadership."
Gov. Sarah Palin escorted Parnell into the Division of Elections office and immediately endorsed him over Young. She gave no thought to the protocol of an endorsement months before the August primary, she said. "When somethings right, it's right," she said. "There's no time like the present to state your case and speak candidly about what you believe it. And I believe in his candidacy."
It appears to me that the newer generations though still loyal to a party are increasingly willing to say I will not vote based on my loyalty to party, but will instead hold to principle by voting or not voting for the party candidate depending on their records and beliefs. The norm has been previously that you supported party even if at times you disagree. While there are certainly admirable qualities to this principle we will see how reality sets in.
In my conversations with Generations Xer's, the coming discussion is that the party name brand is the vehicle for change only because it is there. The party in and of itself is not sacred nor the all in one solution that goes unquestioned. In other words the newer generations are saying the party must change if they want our support because we will not be the rubber stamp. Generation X is more conservative than the Baby Boomers as a rule. It will present some very challenging conversations and struggles for party leaders of both parties around the nation.
The party that will be the first to listen and manage through this change will be the party of power through the next few decades. Right now the establishment in both parties I think is failing to listen or maybe does not recognize the change that is coming very soon.....ready or not!!
Below I thought was a unique table that showed how this emerging contention in both parties has come about.
Source: FDU Magazine
