GOP too conservative for a conservative country
In its latest national poll, Gallup posed the following question:
“Thinking about your views on political issues and how they have changed in recent years, would you say that you are now more conservative than you were a few years ago, have your views not changed, or are you more liberal than you were a few years ago?”
Unchanged: 42 percent
More conservative: 39 percent
More liberal: 18 percent
How is that possible, given what has happened in the voting booth in recent years? As Gallup notes:
“… the results are conspicuously incongruous with the results of the 2008 elections, in which the Democratic Party won the White House for the first time in eight years, and increased its majority control in the U.S. House and Senate. Rather than suggesting an upturn in conservatism, the elections, the tattered image of the GOP, depressed identification with the Republican Party, and President Obama’s broad popularity have many in and outside of the Republican Party wondering whether the country has outgrown the GOP’s largely conservative platform.
So what’s the explanation? My own theory is that the Republican Party has driven itself so far to the extreme right that it has managed to alienate what remains a largely conservative country. That has allowed the Democrats to fill the resulting vacuum in the political center.
A lot of conservatives of course disagree, believing that the GOP’s problems can be solved by moving still farther to the right. But politics in the end is a game decided by raw arithmetic. Where are the additional millions of votes to be harvested by moving right? Who are those theoretical people who supposedly reject the Republicans because they’re too liberal? Sure, there might be a handful of votes to be gained by wooing the disenchanted who didn’t vote at all in recent years. But that can’t generate the numbers needed by the GOP.
Willy Sutton robbed banks because that’s where the money was. Political parties move to the center because that’s where the votes are. If today’s GOP is too conservative for a conservative country, moving farther right is political suicide.
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245 comments Add your comment
Normal
July 7th, 2009
10:35 am
Enter your comments here
Normal
July 7th, 2009
10:36 am
I don’t believe our country is that conservative. We are just too dag blamed different to be that bad. The GOP on the other hand…
TW
July 7th, 2009
10:50 am
It’s inevitable – if the GOP is to again play for keeps, they must step to the left.
Jay, wouldn’t you think the word ‘conservative’ has become too indefinable to use as a blanket term in a poll? If one defines it as ‘frugal,’ isn’t frugal a definite trend during a recession? Does it ‘tighten federal spending’ which has become a catch phrase of all? Or is the word used to define feeling on the separation of church and state? Does it mean you are a Christian?
Perhaps, being that the right claims ownership of the word, the poll should have subsisted their definition for the word – anti-choice, pro-gun, anti-education, pro-succession, etc. – or however their membership check sheet has come to read.
Joan
July 7th, 2009
10:55 am
The country is probably conservative, but to most Americans, “conservative” translates to “fiscal conservatism”. I have spoken with more people who are fiscally conservative, and socially liberal, than those that follow the “party line” which is regarded as somewhat “holier than thou”. If the GOP would remember that they want to do the most good, they would work on fiscal conservatism, and leave the moral preachings out of it. The country has shown it doesn’t particularly care much about “morality” anyway.
TnGelding
July 7th, 2009
10:56 am
I guess it depends on what your definition of conservative is. My main complaint against the GOP is its lack of understanding nuance. They have their minds made up and when conditions change they can’t adapt. In trying to appeal to the Southern “base” they’ve alienated many intellectuals in the party.
Stan
July 7th, 2009
11:00 am
Very well said Joan. That is exactly what I think about it. I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. In other words, I don’t care what you do in your bedroom, so long as you don’t use my money to doo it.
USinUK
July 7th, 2009
11:00 am
Normal –
one final thought from downstairs … (((HUGS))) I know you’re scared – know that you have folkses here keeping you in our thoughts
USinUK
July 7th, 2009
11:01 am
Joan, Stan and Tn –
I couldn’t have said it better, myself. well done.
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:07 am
Normal (from downstairs) –
The other Bosch and I are in that club as well – three older relatives at home with us currently – one with Alzheimer’s – the other in a wheelchair with lots of health problems, and the other one is relatively healthy, just wicked old (90). It is scary, but, in the end worth it. Hang in there.
Paul
July 7th, 2009
11:07 am
Jay
That is a great headline. Most succinct.
I wonder, though, if the GOP is ‘too conservative’ is the Democratic Party ‘too liberal’? Look at that recent Gallup poll, a 9-point shift in ‘too liberal’ in one year.
We still have the situation where the candidates have to thread the needle of the farright power brokers on the Right and the farleft power brokers on the Left. Then the election comes and they go to the center. Only one who’s bucked that in a while is McCain.
Does that explain last November? Well, we had the economic meltdown, and that was a quite significant anomaly. People vote their pocketbooks. Plus there was the significant charisma of Candidate Obama, something missing from US Presidential candidates for quite some time.
But in answer to your headline question, I have to say, ‘yeah.’ Even though people at either end of the political spectrum ever seem to view themselves as being at the end. Even here, they call themselves ‘mainstream’ or ‘majority’!
RW-(the original)
July 7th, 2009
11:08 am
Another self help piece for Republicans by Bookman? Shocka! Then again this might be like TV and we’re just in summer reruns.
I don’t really have anything to do in the forest today, but I think I’ll head there anyway and wait for the next Palin hit piece.
Later
Gale
July 7th, 2009
11:08 am
I agree, Joan. If republicans would get back to msall government fiscal conservatism and separate themselves from the Christian right who want to dictate morality, I would more often vote republican.
Paul
July 7th, 2009
11:08 am
make that ‘Even though people at either end of the political spectrum NEVER seem to view themselves as being at the end’
gttim
July 7th, 2009
11:08 am
The GOP has spent decades demonizing the word liberal. Asking people if they are more liberal is now a loaded question. However, if you ask opinions on individual topics, the topics poll the American people as majority liberal. The election and this poll result seem to illustrate that.
TW
July 7th, 2009
11:09 am
TnGelding
July 7th, 2009
10:56 am
You put it nicely. From their refusal to fund education, to their disregarding education in their chosen leadership, it has appeared more like the right has waged a war on education.
The lining up like sheep behind the village idiot from TX didn’t help matters either…
As the GOP Churns
July 7th, 2009
11:09 am
Well, I think that’s an issue for the department of law to deal with. Is it possible for the GOP to be too conservative? Or, too…
jt
July 7th, 2009
11:10 am
Jay Bookman asks-
“Where are the additional millions of votes to be harvested by moving right? Who are those theoretical people who supposedly reject the Republicans because they’re too liberal?”
jt again answers-
http://www.lpgeorgia.com/
It is happening with the demos too.
ByteMe
July 7th, 2009
11:11 am
USinUK (from downstairs): you are correct about Ireland, which publicly had to back 100% of their deposits with money they didn’t have and could never have. It was a bluff, but it worked. I had forgotten about that when I wrote what I wrote.
And I think the range of choices in the poll should have been expanded to include “nutty right” and “nutty left”, just so we could see if the swing was to the right or left from nutty or from the center.
Normal
July 7th, 2009
11:12 am
USin UK, Bosch, and Paul. Thank you that means more than you know.
TW
July 7th, 2009
11:13 am
jt – don’t you think that a rising by the lp would only reverse the Nadar effect we saw in 2000, thus cutting out the legs of anything the right might offer for 2012?
Gale
July 7th, 2009
11:13 am
gttim, good point. Even with a stranger, we are unlikely to align ourselves with a label that is percieved as unacceptable. ::shudder:: No, I am not a liberal! On the other hand… ::shudder:: (Rush) No, I am not a conservative!
As the GOP Churns
July 7th, 2009
11:15 am
And I think the range of choices in the poll should have been expanded to include “nutty right” and “nutty left”, just so we could see if the swing was to the right or left from nutty or from the center.
And, let’s not forget “Hail Mary Center with a dash of You Betcha” for all those McCain fans that just don’t seem to fit anywhere. It must be the Maverick in them.
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:16 am
Gale,
I stopped voting GOP not only when they wanted to start legislating morality, but when they decided that everything should be privatized – even public schools. That would have to change dramatically before I go back.
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:17 am
Normal,
You’re welcome – believe me, every little bit helps, and it doesn’t hurt to stock up on booze.
J/K
booger
July 7th, 2009
11:17 am
I think people started moving toward the conservative side about 5 to 6 months ago. Most people stay away from the extremes on either side and this is an extremely liberal administration. I’d wager were this poll taken a year ago the results would have been opposite what you see here.
Paul
July 7th, 2009
11:19 am
Yes! It finally happened!! I’ve been identified with every element of the political spectrum! Two threads down, I’m now a “left wing nut bag”! I’ve been called neocon and moderate, now left wing. And ‘nut bag’ to boot! (I hope it’s not a walnut nut bag. I’m allergic to walnuts).
Wow.
Lesson is, lots of people don’t want to address an issue or a countervailing argument. It’s just easier to say ‘well, if you say that, you’re a (perjorative term) that puts you at the opposite end of where I am so that explains it all.”
oh well….
Gale
July 7th, 2009
11:19 am
Public schools are so messed up I can’t even guess what might help there.
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:21 am
Paul,
Who called you a “nut bag?” I’m jealous – I LOVEEEE me some pistachios. I want to be a pistachio nut bag. Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Pistachios are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. I think Ben Franklin said that about beer, but I think it’s pistachios – and cheesy shrimp grits.
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:22 am
Gale,
So are private schools.
RealityKing
July 7th, 2009
11:22 am
The answer is simple.
DOW -67.41-0.81%
8,257.46
an exploding debt coupled with a shrinking GDP
11.4T National Debt
80% to GDP
And just wait until those progressive taxes kick in..
Brad Steel
July 7th, 2009
11:22 am
The question is too ambiguous to illicit a response that is meaningful.
Although two people may identify themselves as conservative, conservative to one person is heresy to the other. Why doesn’t Gallop ask to categorize yourself as tan, light brown or beige? It would be more meaningful.
Besides identifying yourself as a liberal is likely to get you lynched when walking by a tea party or shot by one of the many self-praising conservative bloggers herein.
jt
July 7th, 2009
11:22 am
TW
July 7th, 2009
11:13 am
jt – don’t you think that a rising by the lp would only reverse the Nadar effect we saw in 2000, thus cutting out the legs of anything the right might offer for 2012?
Your key words are TW
July 7th, 2009
11:13 am
jt – don’t you think that a rising by the lp would only reverse the Nadar effect we saw in 2000, thus cutting out the legs of anything the right might offer for 2012?
Your key words being “anything the right might offer”. The republican party is not “the right”. Kid yourself all you want.
And in closing for awhile, obeying the constitution is neither right nor left. Its the LAW. Don’t let a bunch of lawyers and politicians muddy the issue.
USinUK
July 7th, 2009
11:23 am
GALE!!!
long time no see, my friendly!!!
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:23 am
Gale,
The problem with public schools these days – at least one of them – is NCLB.
electrician
July 7th, 2009
11:23 am
Tn at 10;56 my definition of conservative is strictly fiscal , i am also a christian who is tired of the gop courting the christian minority { a very LOUD minority] that is obsessed with promoting their faith views in court {such as the ten commandments crowd] and on the political scene ,our christian duties lie elsewhere. for the record I am a member of a mainstream denomination and my pastor NEVER talks politics from the pulpit, I am also a small group ministry teacher of voting adults and do not allow political discussion during those meetings.so yes ,I am what some would call morally conservative, but not what has come to be defined as ‘right wing christian’ which to me is a political designation.
RealityKing
July 7th, 2009
11:24 am
Throw in our progressively state run media that puts the liberal agenda ahead of truth and its easy to see why America is suddenlt having 1977 flashbacks.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 7th, 2009
11:24 am
gttm
you hit the nail on the head.
I wonder if there would be a significant change in the poll results
if the word liberal had been replaced with progressive?
Normal,
I wish you well in your endeavor….Bosch has been a great help to me with our caretaking of “MiMi”. It’s tough but it’s exceptionally rewarding. Our kids are watching (and helping) us care lovingly for our
elders and I hope they are learning from the experience.
We have begun the cycle of meeting with her doctors, reviewing meds, diet and everything else. She is facing full pulmonary failure anytime.
After the first visit with her internist, and really pressing hard, we did get some helpful info. More than anything I think she needed a strong advocate for HER in dealing with the medical cabal.
Everybody….hug an old fogie today…..
USinUK
July 7th, 2009
11:25 am
Normal –
fortunately, my father is in fantastic health (touching wood), but my MIL has horrible rhumetoid arthritis … we’re at that age where we’re now taking care of our parents
(… and seasons go round and round and the painted ponies go up and down … we’re on a carousel called time … )
it sounds like a weird thing to say, but just make sure you take care of yourself – you’re not going to do your mom any good if you run yourself ragged. like I said way down stairs, get yourself a good support network going and never be afraid to ask for help.
Paul
July 7th, 2009
11:27 am
C’mon Bosch, don’t detract from my moment of glory! I’m not just any old nut bag, I’m a ‘Left Wing’ nut bag!
Pistachios are good. But a Snickers isn’t a Snickers without peanuts.
Brad Steel
[[Besides identifying yourself as a liberal is likely to get you lynched when walking by a tea party ]]
Back on my soap box – one of the biggest Tea Parties ever was a few weeks back. It was called the ‘California Vote on How to Fix the State’s Bankruptcy Crisis’ and every one of the five items put forth by the Democratic Legislature was rejected by a two-to-one majority of the voters in every county in California. Even in San Francisco.
The Legislature’s idea? Raise taxes. The voter’s response? A resounding ‘no.’
There’s a lesson for Democrats on a national level a couple years down the road…
TUESDAY VANDY GIRL
July 7th, 2009
11:29 am
The DNC has gone so far leftist/socialist/communist, and Obama is thankfully presiding over the soon to be 12-15% unemployment …so all the GOP has to do it NOT back any of the overreaching plays obama and the dems are making. This nation is son t be ruined beyond repair by the ASS obama and his gaggle of retarded clowns in congress and the senate. Don’t think you have to go along for bipartisanshiop…let them have complete ownership of the massive FAIL!
Sadly, the non-conservative powers that be in the GOP are racing to embrace obamanomics like a retard with a slingblade, to some fried ‘taters.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 7th, 2009
11:30 am
USinUK
…15 spring and 15 summers gone now,
cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town….
I rocked my babies to that.
Thanks for the sweet memory
FinnMcCool
July 7th, 2009
11:30 am
electrician, glad to meet you!
A conservative I would actually consider having a beer with without first scanning the vicinity for sharp objects.
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:31 am
Paul,
“C’mon Bosch, don’t detract from my moment of glory”
Ooops! Sorry dude. I got carried away.
Snickers – yeah, that’s more proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy!
Later folks!
TUESDAY VANDY GIRL
July 7th, 2009
11:31 am
Obama is an ASS and he is NOT MY PRESIDENT
Paul
July 7th, 2009
11:31 am
Hi Mrs. Godzilla!
Didja hear the news? I’m now a ‘left wing nut bag.’ I’m conflicted… I just don’t know how to reconcile that with my regular lapses into ‘anti Obama bias.’ But I’m working on it.
I think I’ll try some absinthe….
TW
July 7th, 2009
11:33 am
Gale – my kids went to school in East Cobb and the schools there are awesome. I had no complaints whatsoever about the education either of them received. And in looking around, most of the public school situated amidst the ‘big houses’ are pretty good. Maybe the prob ain’t the shcool?
TnGelding
July 7th, 2009
11:33 am
electrician
July 7th, 2009
11:23 am
You sound like you have your feet on the ground. The Dems and Repubs just change roles, depending on which is in the majority. I’m just sick about all this debt; household, business and government. That and the complex, inefficient, costly to comply with tax code.
Keep up the good work.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 7th, 2009
11:33 am
Paul
You are a cutie patootie a good portion of the time….
Bosch
July 7th, 2009
11:34 am
Normal,
Looks like one of my posts was dropped, but I said the same thing USinUK did – don’t be a martyr – and don’t be afraid to ask for help from the doctor as well. Part of your ability to take care of an elder person is keeping it real, and keeping yourself sane.
And as Mrs. G. wrote, you have to be their advocate.
Hey Mrs. G.!
I didn’t know you had a “Mimi.” I used to have one of those !
Later again folks!
USinUK
July 7th, 2009
11:35 am
Mrs. G – no probs – it’s one of my favorites!