This is a class discussion post that needs to be approximately 2-5 paragraphs in length. 

***Discussion Post should be followed accordingly each question asked needs to be answered.

********I will post the students response below.  With the Student response it should be 1 paragraph in length reply to the students disccusion.

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

********************Discussion Post*****************

Apply any aspect mentioned in this module’s readings to the outcome of last week’s gubernatorial and/or Congressional races in Georgia. Explain in detail how this election relates, exemplifies, or counters what you’ve read.

*Note: Reaction posts should be approximately 2-5 paragraphs in length. Responses to other students do not have a length requirement but serve as your participation grade (i.e., the more thorough the better).

************************ Student Response #1 ***************************

The recent Gubernational election in Georgia has really shed light on the fact that Georgia may be becoming more blue. Despite the fact that Abrams lost, she ran a very good campaign and had a lot of support. There are many reasons for this. The article by Strauss,“Is this the year Georgia turns blue?” discusses a few reasons why this may be the case. First, many “white suburban women” are becoming more drawn to liberal women because they are “repelled” by Donald Trump. The article also mentioned that this group of registered voters is a “mass that is leaving” the Republican Party. Generally, this article states that Republicans are simply getting tired of Republicans.

Another possible reason for Georgia possibly becoming blue is that black votes count for the Democrat party. Georgia is also becoming a predominately minority state. In addition, some may consider the fact that Atlanta has been growing and is currently growing and expanding. People from all over the United States and the world are moving to Atlanta for job opportunities and it’s overall industrialization and growth. However, with new residents comes new ideas, thoughts, cultures, backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and overall differences. Georgia has a very urban-rural political divide and this does not seem to be changing too much, except the increase recently.

Personally, I do believe that Georgia will become a swing state eventually. However, I do not think the state will ever really turn blue. Many southerners, especially in rural areas are very religious and traditional which will likely not change. In addition, many elders come to Georgia, especially South Georgia to retire since it is generally cheap and warm. Also, Georgia has a very large agricultural industry and it is unlikely that farmers will shift their beliefs. There are many reasons why Georgia will never really turn blue, but these are just a few possible ideas. Though there is a lot of change in the state, I do not think the Republican Party will ever be outnumbered for long periods of time.

************************ Student Response #2 ***************************

As some who is older than the average college student (43yrs old), and grew up in the 6th district of Georgia (Alpharetta, Johns Creek area), this election was huge. I never thought a Democrat would every win the 6th district, who I will remind the reader is Newt Gingrich’s old district.  It has for my lifetime been very Republican.  There is a shift going on the in state and the country as a whole.  Republicans are pushing away the more wealthier, executive types, who like more reasoned rhetoric. You also have younger voters and minority voters who see relentless attacks on the Obamas and Hillary Clinton as race and gender based, not to mention Trump’s response to the Charlotte white suprematist rally, and his own record with women.  This spelled a recipe for big losses and it might get worse for Republicans as white baby boomers die off and the racial and younger makeup of this country changes.  

Now that the races are over many of the predictions in the articles came true.  Stacy Abrams did really well and the articles were right about predicting her strong showing with minorities and liberals.  The race was so close and she basically relied on the metro Atlanta area to come that close. Just because the Republican barely won with rural voters, the city and suburbs are growing and that might not always happen. As a 43yr old Georgia native it is huge milestone that a black woman can appeal to so many people in a state in the deep south. It shows the changing demographics of Georgia.  

As a political junkie, I am shocked by how these races turned out.  Attempts by Trump supporters to sugarcoat this means they are not learning what needs to be done to win.  Growing up in the Atlanta suburbs I know they are strong fiscal conservatives, but they want their leaders to have some decorum in their rhetoric.  Trump needs to tamp down his Twitter feed and act more presidential if he wants to win back the suburbs.  The cities vote Democrat, the rural areas vote Republican, so winning rests with the suburbs.  The articles were right about the views of the different regions of Georgia.  The Republicans are lucky they kept the 7th district, but their luck my run out there too as the demographics are changing.