KRUGMAN: "the missing-white-voter story is a myth."

[kpete]

OP-ED COLUMNIST
Delusions of Populism
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: July 11, 2013 198 Comments



So what’s the next big idea?

Enter libertarian populism. The idea here is that there exists a pool of disaffected working-class white voters who failed to turn out last year but can be mobilized again with the right kind of conservative economic program — and that this remobilization can restore the Republican Party’s electoral fortunes.


............


the missing-white-voter story is a myth. Yes, turnout among white voters was lower in 2012 than in 2008; so was turnout among nonwhite voters. Mr. Trende’s analysis basically imagines a world in which white turnout rebounds to 2008 levels but nonwhite turnout doesn’t, and it’s hard to see why that makes sense.

Suppose, however, that we put this debunking on one side and grant that Republicans could do better if they could inspire more enthusiasm among “downscale” whites. What can the party offer that might inspire such enthusiasm?

Well, as far as anyone can tell, at this point libertarian populism — as illustrated, for example, by the policy pronouncements of Senator Rand Paul — consists of advocating the same old policies, while insisting that they’re really good for the working class. Actually, they aren’t. But, in any case, it’s hard to imagine that proclaiming, yet again, the virtues of sound money and low marginal tax rates will change anyone’s mind.

............................


the rest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/opinion/krugman-delusions-of-populism.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130712&_r=1&

[n2doc]

1. The real plan is to prevent non-whites from voting

They know their base is aging and dying off. Their only hope, other than to embrace people whom they have spent the last 50 years demonizing, is to prevent the 'wrong' type of voter from voting.