For those of you out there who still think right-wing economics and limited government are passé, consider these two bits of news.
In New Jersey, a state that has gone heavily Democratic, a bond measure to borrow $450 million for stem cell research (including embryonic) went down in flames (Bloomberg). Even the Democrats who run the state admitted their profligate history had a lot to do with the culturally left-wing Garden Staters shooting down the bond issue.
Meanwhile, a proposal for a statewide carbon copy of SCHIP – right down to being funded by a cigarette tax – was rejected by nearly 60% of the voters in – wait for it – Oregon (The Oregonian), which hasn’t gone “red” since Ronald Reagan’s re-election.
So, two culturally left-wing states soundly reject economic leftism, but we’re supposed to believe Republicans have no shot at winning over voters in northern Virginia unless they support massive tax increases.
Can you say “disconnect”?
[...] For the fourth straight local election (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007), the Virginia Republicans tried to convince voters they were the party of limited government and lower taxes despite a record that was, at best, checkered. The 2007 elections had the worst contrast between rhetoric and reality thanks to the HB3202 debacle. As a result, GOP dissenters from 3202 aside, the party bled votes and seats, despite a year in which economic conservatism scored big victories in culturally liberal states. [...]