“Conservatives” Are Single-Largest Ideological Group

[Revmitchell]

PRINCETON, NJ -- Thus far in 2009, 40% of Americans interviewed in national Gallup Poll surveys describe their political views as conservative, 35% as moderate, and 21% as liberal. This represents a slight increase for conservatism in the U.S. since 2008, returning it to a level last seen in 2004. The 21% calling themselves liberal is in line with findings throughout this decade, but is up from the 1990s.


More Here

 

[LeBuick]

The next thing they have to do is decipher the myriad of definitions of conservative. Where it is true not many endorses full tax and spend of the left, very few associate with the far rights version of conservatism. So the number are very deceptive but proves when I've been saying all along. We moderates, progressives, the folks in the middle, we never loose elections because where we go is who wins.

 

[Revmitchell]

The next thing they have to do is decipher the myriad of definitions of conservative. Where it is true not many endorses full tax and spend of the left, very few associate with the far rights version of conservatism. So the number are very deceptive but proves when I've been saying all along. We moderates, progressives, the folks in the middle, we never loose elections because where we go is who wins.

You cannot claim to be a progressive and moderate. Progressive moves beyond the middle ground. But then you knew that.

 

[targus]

You cannot claim to be a progressive and moderate. Progressive moves beyond the middle ground. But then you knew that.

I wouldn't be so sure about what he knows or believes.

From his posts here - he is not sure about what he knows or believes.

The closer truth is that the middle usually wins because they go along with whatever they think that the majority is saying or doing.

They do not have the strength of their convictions - because they don't really have any convictions.

Hence a Christian that could vote for the guy who was guaranteed to increase the number of abortions by expanding acess and funding.

 

[BigBossman]

I don't know how accurate these polls are. This poll is incomplete. I have to wonder about the 4% that is unaccounted for. If you take 40%, 35%, & 21% that only adds up to 96%. Where's the other 4%?

I think there are people who don't know where they stand politically & just say they are conservative. If people were truly conservative, they wouldn't have voted for Obama.

 

[Revmitchell]

I don't know how accurate these polls are. This poll is incomplete. I have to wonder about the 4% that is unaccounted for. If you take 40%, 35%, & 21% that only adds up to 96%. Where's the other 4%?

I think there are people who don't know where they stand politically & just say they are conservative. If people were truly conservative, they wouldn't have voted for Obama.

Sorry bub but you have failed to consider appropriately the numbers. First, the poll does not show that the majority claim to be conservative but they are the largest single group. Second, moderates are so wishy washy which we will see in the next election when Obama's failure ends.

The problem is that those who hold no solid convictions (so called moderates) tend to vote their wallets and live by the false assumption that the President and congress effect the economy in a very short time span ie 4 or 8 years.

 

[StefanM]

I don't know how accurate these polls are. This poll is incomplete. I have to wonder about the 4% that is unaccounted for. If you take 40%, 35%, & 21% that only adds up to 96%. Where's the other 4%?

I think there are people who don't know where they stand politically & just say they are conservative. If people were truly conservative, they wouldn't have voted for Obama.

The other 4% likely indicated some other kind of answer.

 

[poncho]

Conservatives and liberals both look to government to use it's power to control others the way they see fit. When it comes right down to it neither care if the United States burns down around them so long as it burns their way.

 

[Freedom]

PRINCETON, NJ -- Thus far in 2009, 40% of Americans interviewed in national Gallup Poll surveys describe their political views as conservative, 35% as moderate, and 21% as liberal. This represents a slight increase for conservatism in the U.S. since 2008, returning it to a level last seen in 2004. The 21% calling themselves liberal is in line with findings throughout this decade, but is up from the 1990s.


More Here

Since you and all the other conservatives on this board insist on calling moderates liberals I'd say you're wrong by your own definition. There are only 40% conservative and 56% moderate/liberal. If you agree that moderates are different than liberals please consider me to be a moderate from now on because that's what I am. What way is it?

 

[Revmitchell]

Since you and all the other conservatives on this board insist on calling moderates liberals I'd say you're wrong by your own definition. There are only 40% conservative and 56% moderate/liberal. If you agree that moderates are different than liberals please consider me to be a moderate from now on because that's what I am. What way is it?

You being a new member would have no idea what we call anyone.

 

[LeBuick]

I don't know how accurate these polls are. This poll is incomplete. I have to wonder about the 4% that is unaccounted for. If you take 40%, 35%, & 21% that only adds up to 96%. Where's the other 4%?

I think there are people who don't know where they stand politically & just say they are conservative. If people were truly conservative, they wouldn't have voted for Obama.

There are far more questions than that BB... In the same poll the majority said the country is heading in the right direction and gave Obama high marks for handling of the economy. Sounds like the questions may have confused some of the folks to me.

 

[777]

The ideology is self-reported, they thought the last election was between two "moderates".

There are far more questions than that BB... In the same poll the majority said the country is heading in the right direction and gave Obama high marks for handling of the economy. Sounds like the questions may have confused some of the folks to me.

That's not what they said at all:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/111763/Gallup-Daily-State-Nation.aspx

33% were satisified with the direction, 64% weren't as of that date.

About his handling of the economy, the numbers are still high but dropping:

Obama's job approval rating for his handling of the economy has dropped from 59% in February to 55% today, while his disapproval rating has risen by 12 points, from 30% to 42%. The fact that Obama's approval on the economy has become more negative over this time period is of interest, given that Gallup's measure of consumer mood has become more positive between March and the current time.

The numbers aren't "deceptive".

 

[LeBuick]

The ideology is self-reported, they thought the last election was between two "moderates".

That's not what they said at all:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/111763/Gallup-Daily-State-Nation.aspx

33% were satisified with the direction, 64% weren't as of that date.

About his handling of the economy, the numbers are still high but dropping:

The numbers aren't "deceptive".

You posted the satisfied with STATE OF NATION number which is way up from the 11% when he took office. I said headed in the right direction. That is a different question.

 

[777]

So, you're claiming this statement:

"Gallup's State of the Nation measure tracks the percentage of Americans who say they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time."

isn't the same thing as "headed in the right direction", even though it said "way"?

You referred to this poll, can you show me exactly where on the site it said otherwise? In other words, the numbers for right/wrong direction answer? No can find. Thanks!

 

[LeBuick]

The next thing they have to do is decipher the myriad of definitions of conservative. Where it is true not many endorses full tax and spend of the left, very few associate with the far rights version of conservatism. So the number are very deceptive but proves when I've been saying all along. We moderates, progressives, the folks in the middle, we never loose elections because where we go is who wins.

Here is my case and point, according to this article, 60% of those who identify themselves as liberal or moderate republican's support cap and trade. I am sure they consider themselves conservative since they are in the Republican party. However, I am sure their definition of conservative will differ from most "conservatives" on this board.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062403648_pf.html

That message has failed to sway liberal and moderate Republicans, 60 percent of whom back a cap-and-trade program, but it appeals to the party's conservative base.

Also, 50% of those who identified as Republican in the NYT poll supported public health care.

 

[LeBuick]

So, you're claiming this statement:

"Gallup's State of the Nation measure tracks the percentage of Americans who say they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time."

isn't the same thing as "headed in the right direction", even though it said "way"?

Yes, state of the nation is current. IOW, the way Bush left it at 11%.

Heading in the right direction is future. This parallels Obama first numbers which indicated many thought he could fix this mess.