While studying the Election 2000 Demographics and comparing it to the required reading I found a number of common traits and a few contradictions. Within the reading, it stated that race was a major deciding factor in how one voted. The reading took the angle that most minorities wanted more government regulation (because of discrimination) and therefore would vote democratic. The Demographics proved this true, with 54% of white people voting conservative (non-minorities) and the minorities (Black, Hispanic, Asian, and "other") voting democratic with 90%, 62%, 55%, and 55% respectively. The book also explains that as these people grow older they grow considerably more democratic. The demographics could prove this to an extent. According to these records the percentage of Americans from the age 18 to 59 that are voting for democratic or republican are very close (averaging around 48% demo and 49% rep). It is not until they reach 60 or older until it shifts to 57% democratic and 47% republican. The book then goes on to talk about gender and how women tend to be more democratic due to their belief of social welfare. The book says this is due to women's "nurturing nature". The Demographics would support this statement by saying that 54% of women are democratic compared to 42% of men; yet this does not show that women are mostly democratic with a close 43% of women voting republican. In the area of religion the book was right on with the data from the Demographic. The reading stated that most Protestants were very conservative, most Catholics were democratic (welfare programs), most of the Jewish population were very liberal, and most other minority religions were democratic too. Data from the polls showed that 56% of Protestants were republican compared to 42%, 79% of Jewish population was democratic compared to 19%, and 62% of the "other religions" were democratic compared to 30%. What I found interesting about this though was the Catholics, who were 50% democratic compared to 47% republican.
