Why is Orange County Still Republican? (Los Angeles, San Diego: neighborhoods, median income, bus)

[BayAreaHillbilly]

OC proudly preserves what was the norm for most places in California a mere generation ago. As of the early 1970s when I was a kid, the only liberal parts of this state were SF, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Marin, Venice Beach, Isla Vista and a few other pockets. The rest was solid "Old West" conservative. In other words, it was still part of the real West.

It's actually sort of amazing that conservatism survives in some form in OC, oh so near to now very liberal LA. It would be sad if the whole state became a monolithic leftist sea. How boring that would be.

[graciously]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

most places in California a mere generation ago. As of the early 1970s when I was a kid, the only liberal parts of this state were SF, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Marin, Venice Beach, Isla Vista and a few other pockets. The rest was solid "Old West" conservative. In other words, it was still part of the real West.

Don't know about old west conservative thats like for other places farther away. Not even sure California was ever a conservative place when it really is a new place. Really think California is a new place with people coming other side of country and outside not like the east coast or southeast in history of being conservative.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

OC proudly preserves what was the norm for most places in California a mere generation ago. As of the early 1970s when I was a kid, the only liberal parts of this state were SF, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Marin, Venice Beach, Isla Vista and a few other pockets.

The West Side of LA (not just Venice) and Hollywood were conservative in the early '70s? LOL

And tell me, who controlled the State Legislature in the early '70s?

The rest was solid "Old West" conservative.

I think you confuse moderate with conservative ; they're not the same thing. Republican doesn't necessarily mean conservative.

In other words, it was still part of the real West.

Know anything about the politics of "real Western" Washington, Oregon, and Colorado in the early '70s?

I'd characterize those states' politics at that time as moderate/centrist - which historically was a dominant trend in CA politics. I think you confuse moderate with conservative.

It's actually sort of amazing that conservatism survives in some form in OC, oh so near to now very liberal LA.

And, ironically, for much of the 20th century LA was a Dem city while SF was a GOP city, even though LA was to SF's right at the time. Again, Democratic doesn't necessarily mean liberal, and Republican doesn't necessarily mean conservative. I was too young to have been around during the time of SF's last two Republican mayors, but from what I've heard and read I would vote for either of them in a minute - and I don't think either would be welcome in the current GOP.

It would be sad if the whole state became a monolithic leftist sea. How boring that would be.

Prop 11 once it goes into effect in 2012 will help reduce the number of crazies on both sides.

[graciously]

there really no real history of california mostly a conservative place. Not even enough to say anything.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by graciously

there really no real history of california mostly a conservative place. Not even enough to say anything.

CA has always had some conservative pockets, OC being one, even though the state's political culture historically tended towards the center. OC's conservatism, as said earlier in this thread, came from it being settled primarily by Texans, Louisianans, and people from the Lower Midwest, which was amplified by the big Okie migrations (many of whom were actually from Texas and Arkansas as well as Oklahoma) of the 1930s/40s. They brought their conservatism with them from back home.

[happ]

Thanks for the interesting historical info, majoun

I was born in California also & can't remember any political conflict in the "old days" until Governor Reagan attacked anti-war protests in Berkeley by dropping tear gas from helicopters. It really was a "battle zone" & the student activists were seriously at war with Reagan & LBJ. That's when I realized how powerful the Left is in California. But, otherwise, it didn't seem like Republicans were all that different from Democrats in gubernatorial issues. Too bad the religious right took over the GOP & accelerated California into a Democratic stronghold. The influence of California as a liberal force is dramatically illustrated in how quickly Schwarzenegger embraced the will of the California people & left the Republican party of Bush. Smart move

[majoun]

Originally Posted by happ

Thanks for the interesting historical info, majoun

I was born in California also & can't remember any political conflict in the "old days" until Governor Reagan attacked anti-war protests in Berkeley by dropping tear gas from helicopters.

I vaguely remember the antiwar protests when LBJ visited L.A. and stayed at the Century Plaza Hotel from my parents' complaining about it being crazy. I was in 1st grade at the time and didn't comprehend the issues involved.

It really was a "battle zone" & the student activists were seriously at war with Reagan & LBJ. That's when I realized how powerful the Left is in California.

True.

But, otherwise, it didn't seem like Republicans were all that different from Democrats in gubernatorial issues.

Not to mention that L.A.'s Dem mayor Sam Yorty was to the right of SF's GOP mayor Christopher.

[Butterrum]

Because OC is predominantly white and most of the people down OC is prejudice.

[LoneStarJerry]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

It's actually sort of amazing that conservatism survives in some form in OC, oh so near to now very liberal LA. It would be sad if the whole state became a monolithic leftist sea. How boring that would be.

I don't even think boring is the right word, how loony would that be is the better question.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Butterrum

Because OC is predominantly white and most of the people down OC is prejudice.

Whiteness has nothing to do with it. The percentage of whites in OC is similar to the percentage of whites in San Francisco, so that's obviously not a factor.

Where the population that settled OC came from and the traditions they brought with them, which became the traditions and cultural roots of OC, are more of a factor.