Politics of Subtraction

Hard to believe, but not that long ago Republicans placed gay marriage initiatives on the ballot to win elections,  by maximizing conservative turnout.  What was once a wedge issue is now a wedgie for the GOP.  But the party cannot put the boxers back in the box.

 Charlotte, the home to Bank of America, Lowe's, and other major corporations, recently passed an ordinance banning discrimination against the LGBT community.  The Republican controlled state legislature not only reacted, but did so in a hastily convened emergency session.  They passed, and the governor immediately signed, a bill prohibiting cities from passing such anti-discrimination legislation.

That the few remaining Log Cabin Republicans put up for sale signs may not be costly to the party.  The LGBT community makes up roughly, four percent of the population, and the GOP segment is a fraction of that.  But the loss of Wall Street, moderates and millennials is priceless.

This is but one small example of the politics of subtraction.  As compassionate conservatism has given way to anti-immigrant hysteria,  Hispanic Democratic majorities have grown to landslides.  Previously Republican leaning Asian Americans and Muslims, have become stand up Democrats.   The GOP can forget about Michigan with its large Muslim population.

Trump not only exacerbates this trend with minorities,  but kills the GOP chances with the majority.  Women are about 52 percent of the electorate.  Trump's misogynistic remarks give Hillary a 27% percentage advantage with women in a general election matchup.