Interested in relocating but concerned.... (transplants, noise, rules)

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

Seriously, this area is about as Republican as it gets. There are a few enclaves close to downtown OKC that are fairly liberal and around Norman (and of course some of the minority areas are democrat oriented) but I'd say most of OKC is republican to the point that you would have to look under a rock to find a dem.

What's odd is that a generation ago, it was exactly the opposite. Oklahoma was the domain of Yellow Dog Democrats almost exclusively.

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by stillkit

What's odd is that a generation ago, it was exactly the opposite. Oklahoma was the domain of Yellow Dog Democrats almost exclusively.

I think they all died off. Oklahoma seemed to go through basically the same paradigm shift that the rest of the south did regarding political affiliation from the 1960s on. However those yellow dogs were pretty loyal to the new deal policies of FDR because it kept them from starving. However, back then they still had to work for the government money that they got.

[e_cuyler]

If I remember right, OKC was always the more conservative part of the state, the eastern rural area used to be more traditional old school Democrat at the state and local level. You still see it locally, I know my home county has always had a Democrat representing them in the state legislature, although I don't think a Democrat has won the county for President for the last few elections.

Sometimes you still see the old patterns pop up, I think the main reason Largent lost in 2002 was because of the high rural turnout due to the cockfighting bill. I'm sure a lot of those people voted for Henry.

[kbo]

That's good to know because that's where a lot of them up here tell me to crawl beack under.......

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by kbo

That's good to know because that's where a lot of them up here tell me to crawl beack under.......

Very few "in your face" types in Oklahoma regardless of political affiliation or bent. It's really not part of our culture here.

[okie1962]

You might find the republican down in Oklahoma a lot more conservative than republicans in NY, especially on social issues.

[Dale Cooper]

Originally Posted by kbo

Thanks! I feel much better. As to my beliefs.....they sure have caused me problems here....well, I trust you all so here goes....I'm a Republican. Red till I'm dead member of the GOP and that's not a good thing here in New york.

Please come and be my neighbor. I will roll out the welcome mat.

In the 2008 election, Oklahoma was the ONLY STATE to go 100% red in all counties.

I'm very proud of that and tell anyone who will listen.

[#1soonerfan]

No doubt OK is pretty "red", but you still would need to be careful. If you are moving to OKC city proper, the city is probably about 50/50 Dem/GOP, with conservative fringes being counteracted by a pretty sizable minority population (now at about 45% of the population) and increasingly liberal urban neighborhoods. With that being said, I would say the dominant political thought here is chamber-of-commerce republicanism, fueled by the 2 main economic drivers in this area (the military and oil & gas). Its pretty conservative but still shies away from bombastic proclamations of political views, in public anyway.

If you go out the suburbs you could probably get away with popping off moreso than the city, but I still wouldn't recommend it. Even in the rural areas, which statistically go 70%+ GOP you are likely to run into a lot of old time yellow dog Dems, especially if you go east.

Very few "in your face" types in Oklahoma regardless of political affiliation or bent. It's really not part of our culture here.

This. I actually had someone tell me even though TX is *less* conservative statistically speaking, people were far more apt to express their views out in public there than here.

To the OP: Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one, they usually stink, and most people do not need to know about them. There are enough Dems down here you will get yourself in trouble if you spout off too much. Religion and politics are "not at my table" subjects that should be treated as such no matter where you live.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by stillkit

What's odd is that a generation ago, it was exactly the opposite. Oklahoma was the domain of Yellow Dog Democrats almost exclusively.

Nope we're still around. I'm one....much more of a Blue Dog mentality really (but that's how most of the Yellows were back in the day anyhow.)

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by e_cuyler

If I remember right, OKC was always the more conservative part of the state, the eastern rural area used to be more traditional old school Democrat at the state and local level. You still see it locally, I know my home county has always had a Democrat representing them in the state legislature, although I don't think a Democrat has won the county for President for the last few elections.

Sometimes you still see the old patterns pop up, I think the main reason Largent lost in 2002 was because of the high rural turnout due to the cockfighting bill. I'm sure a lot of those people voted for Henry.

>>>>>
If I remember right, OKC was always the more conservative part of the state, the eastern rural area used to be more traditional old school Democrat at the state and local level.
<<<<<

Yep.

Many folks I know are the "traditional old school Democrat."