THOMAS F. SCHALLER, a Democrat who teaches political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, has written a book urging his party to stop trying to win back the South and instead focus on making gains in the Midwest and West. In Whistling Past Dixie, Schaller argues that the twin impact of race and religion on the South’s politics puts it out of reach for Democrats, who would be better off investing in parts of the country that are truly swing areas.
Conservatives and Republicans might consider the mirror image of Schaller’s “Dump Dixie” thesis. Should the GOP cut and run from liberal New England? Put another way, would it be better off directing the millions it drops trying to keep such mavericks as Chris Shays or the just-defeated Lincoln Chafee in office toward more loyal Republicans in the battlegrounds Schaller cites?
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