POLITICAL REALIGNMENT IS NOW COMPLETE

From the FirstRead, “To understand how much American politics has changed since the 1960s — heck, since the 1990s — here’s something to consider: After the 2014 midterms, it’s possible that, for the first time, all of New England’s governors could be Democrats. And it’s equally possible that, for the first time, all of the states of the former Confederacy could have Republican governors. (Hat tip to Harry Enten who first pointed this scenario out to us after Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s switched to the Democratic Party.) Of course, a Republican could win in Massachusetts’ open gubernatorial race next year, or Gov. Paul LePage (R) could win re-election in Maine. And Terry McAuliffe (D) could win this year in Virginia, Democrats could hold on in Arkansas, or a Charlie Crist (D) could win Florida’s governor’s mansion. But outside of those potential exceptions, it’s inescapable that a full party realignment — now on the governor side — has taken place after the Civil Rights Act, Nixon’s Southern Strategy, and Barack Obama’s election and re-election. Once dominated by Republicans, New England has now become a Democratic stronghold. And once dominated by Democrats, the South is almost completely controlled by Republicans.”