In his new memoir, Lamar Alexander reflects on the evolution of the Republican Party, noting a shift from being driven by elected officials and voters to the rise of more radical activist groups, which increased polarization. The book, “The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump,” is published by Post Hill Press.<\/p>\n
Despite a Democratic victory in 2008, Alexander won re-election to a second Senate term without primary opposition, securing 65% of the vote in November. He succeeded in Shelby County, a predominantly African American area carried by Obama, showcasing the value of cross-racial relationships for Republicans. However, this election marked the end of competitive two-party politics in Tennessee.<\/p>\n
John McCain easily won Tennessee, while Obama lost white voters in areas that had previously supported Democrat Harold Ford Jr. Counties named after Democratic icons began favoring Republicans. The Democrats dropped Jefferson and Jackson from their event names, and Republicans began honoring Reagan instead of Lincoln.<\/p>\n
A voter expressed concern that America was being lost, citing issues like the Great Recession, wealth inequality, and Obama’s liberal policies as causes. The election of Obama, for some a reconciliation for slavery, also ignited racial tensions. The introduction of iPhone and Facebook led to a “Digital Democracy,” amplifying public anxieties.<\/p>\n
By 2008, Tennessee had become a Republican stronghold, a transformation linked to a redefined political “base.” Initially, the East Tennessee Republican base consisted of patriotic, churchgoing voters wary of federal authority. Over time, new organizations emerged, becoming part of this “new base.”<\/p>\n
This shift began in Washington, D.C., as a response to liberal groups influencing the Democratic Party. Conservative think tanks and action groups like The Heritage Foundation and the NRA emerged, along with media outlets like Fox News, which spread conservative ideas.<\/p>\n
When elected in 1978, Alexander was not affected by this “new base.” As a governor, he focused on cultural conservatism and local governance, resisting federal control. However, the broadened “base” eventually reached beyond D.C. to states like Tennessee.<\/p>\n
Alexander worked with Democrats on state issues, but Newt Gingrich’s confrontational style highlighted differences within the party. Gingrich’s success in Congress contrasted with Republican governors’ challenges, prompting discussions on shared goals.<\/p>\n
A meeting at Blackberry Farm in 1985 aimed to bridge these differences, leading to the concept of “The New Federalism,” which balanced resisting federal control with solving local problems. This approach helped Republicans gain electoral success.<\/p>\n
As a presidential candidate, Alexander encountered the expanded “new base,” focusing on appealing to conservative voters. By 2002, he ran for Senate with a message of conservative principles and independence, which resonated with voters.<\/p>\n
Once in the Senate, Alexander observed colleagues prioritizing issues appealing to the “new base,” while others maintained traditional conservative values without emphasizing them. Despite being labeled a “partisan attack dog,” Alexander’s moderate approach was seen by many as valuable and rare.<\/p>\n
Bill Bennett and others described Alexander’s balanced style, which was often mischaracterized as moderate, valuing cooperation over confrontation. This nuanced approach remains significant in the political landscape. <\/p>\n