This infographic explains why we’ll be hearing the phrase “middle class” relentlessly in the next election cycle. Whoever wins the middle class, wins. It’s that simple. The swings reveal that this group morphs with time — siding with the GOP 53-46 in 2004, and then basically reversing in 2006. Then back with the GOP in 2010.
It’s also true that the majority of voters (between 55-60%) have come from the middle class (defined here as having $30,000-$100,000 annual household income). Notice that you don’t have to win this group by a huge margin – a little over 50% will do just fine. The GOP posted big gains in 2004 and 2010, and Democrats dominated in 2006 and 2008. Yet nobody ever won more than 53% of this precious middle class vote.
HT: Washington Post