openpolitics.com

The Class War Inside the Republican Party

“Ten years ago a Republican primary was decided by who has the best resume,” said Joel McElhannon, an Atlanta-based GOP strategist. “Having broader experience was considered a big plus, but we’ve seen this shift over the last several years. There is this populist strain going through the Republican primary electorate, and now it’s less about experience and it’s more about being an outsider. It’s less about being qualified than who is more angry and more likely to ruffle feathers.”