Friedrich --

A political scientist writes in to remind us that

the two strongest grassroots constituencies for the Republican party are Protestant fundamentalists and small business people. The first have always been anti-urban and anti-intellectual, going back to the 1920s backlash against religious modernism (and earlier backlashes against what they saw as an effete, overeducated clergy). (Some of the more thoughtful religious conservatives have admitted that their movement has been hurt by a lack of intellectual candlepower). They're not a likely constituency to support art (unless you mean the "Left Behind" novels).

That's not to say there aren't plenty of conventional suburban Republicans who go to museums or attend concerts. And of course, it's money donated by Fortune 500 types (usually Republicans) that keep the arts afloat.

Best,

Michael