The Southern Party

In the cover story of today's National Journal, Ron Brownstein outlines the GOP's increasing reliance on the South. In fact, by Electoral College votes and congressional districts, the Republican Party is more dependent on the South than at any point in its history, Brownstein finds. With a Southern base representing the conservative wing of the party, it may be difficult for the GOP to balance the interests of its Southern stronghold with those of voters elsewhere, Brownstein suggests--as it tries to avoid becoming a regional party and compete nationally in the next elections.  Brownstein analyzed data all the way back to 1856, so for the sake of appreciating his hard work, read the piece!