Top 5 Local Issues for Conservatives in 2008

“All politics is local,” they say, and the 2008 election is no exception. While they may not determine who will be chosen as the nation’s next president, these local topics will undoubtedly have a great impact on day-to-day life in these states. In most cases, these topics are also part of a wider national debate as well, which make the decisions reached by voters in local elections all the more important.

Oil Drilling in Alaska
Alaskan residents pay higher prices for their gas than residents in other US states do, and everything is far away. The state is as big as a third of the continental US, which means Alaskans have to drive further to get their gas than people do in other states. Finally, because of the rugged terrain, most residents have big cars. Because of all these factors, most state residents overwhelmingly favor offshore oil drilling and oil drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. Despite cries of protest from environmentalists, residents maintain a miniscule portion of the refuge would be affected because the oil rigging footprint is so small. Alaskans’ sentiment is reflected by their popular governor, Sarah Palin, who sent a letter to Congress pleading for legislation permitting oil and gas development in the state. Despite a recent scandal involving incumbent US Sen. Ted Stevens, Republicans still lead in most polling. Undoubtedly, oil drilling is already playing a major role in the 2008 general election.

Immigration in Arizona
Although the economy is an important issue in Arizona, one of the state’s biggest issues – if not the biggest issue is illegal immigration. Arizona voters will answer a ballot question to decide whether to permanently revoke the business licenses of employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. There are a variety of conflicting laws across the state, which can create headaches for police. Since a strong national defense is a defining issue for conservatives, this race and its referendum question will be one they watch very closely.

Gay Marriage in California
Although a lighting rod for national debate, the issue of gay marriage is, surprisingly, not a top issue for California voters. Just like nearly every other state in the nation that distinction belongs to the economy. The environment, education and health care are the next most important. Nevertheless, an initiative to ban same-sex marriages is on the general election ballot. Approval would reverse the state Supreme Court ruling that made California the second state to legalize gay marriage. Similar initiatives are on the Arizona and Florida ballots.

Economic Factors in Michigan
Nowhere is the economy higher atop the list of election issues this year than in Michigan, where voters are particularly feeling the pinch thanks to a plummeting worldwide oil market and a corresponding drop in car sales. While Exxon posted the biggest profit in US history for the second quarter of 2008 – 11.5 billion, General Motors had perhaps its biggest loss ever – 15.5 billion in the second quarter. With no other alternative, the vehicle manufacturer had to cut jobs. Both presidential candidates have made their platforms on the economy well-known to the Michigan voters. Michigan is clearly the battlefield for the national discussion on the economy.

Gun Rights in Virginia
The shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007 created fervor over gun rights in the state. Several organizations advocated laws regulating who can carry guns and where. In response, several gun groups launched a counter-initiative aimed at lifting the prohibition against carrying firearms on college campuses. Although second amendment advocates rejoiced when the US Supreme Court overturned the Washington DC handgun ban, there were other components of the ruling that weren’t so great for gun rights supporters. The majority upheld the idea that regulating the ownership of guns and where they can be carried isn’t the same as confiscating them. The issue of gun rights is also making its way into the US Senate race between Republican Jim Gilmore and Democrat Mark Warner, who are both former governors. Both men have made their pro-gun views known and each pledge to support gun rights.