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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Monday, October 26, 2009

Polling identity

Expect to hear alot about this,
(Gallup) Conservatives continue to outnumber moderates and liberals in the American populace in 2009, confirming a finding that Gallup first noted in June. Forty percent of Americans describe their political views as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 20% as liberal. This marks a shift from 2005 through 2008, when moderates were tied with conservatives as the most prevalent group.

With the associations that have been established to "conservative, liberal, moderate" you might argue that this self identification is a little weak as a politically significant measure (after all, in the last round of major polling, only 20% self identified as Republican,) but we can probably expect many citations of this poll in the near future as we're once again told that "America is a "conservative" country."

(I would argue that with the negative stigma towards "liberal," many liberals self-identify as "moderate.")

Also, what does this say about the GOP? I imagine a cartoon with the crazy wingers leading top 2012 candidates away as moderates stand in the middle saying "wait, we're over here."

4 Comments:

  • (I would argue that with the negative stigma towards "liberal," many liberals self-identify as "moderate.")

    Very good point. Liberal has become the new flakey.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:32 AM  

  • Right.

    I just keep wondering about the self identify gaps on the other side. 40% self identify as conservative, but 20% as Republican?

    I guess "Republican" has taken on the same level of negative that "liberal" has.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 10:43 AM  

  • I think a lot of people who vote Dem see themselves as conservative in some ways.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:29 AM  

  • I think it really comes to how people draw the lines in their own minds. That's why self identify is always a little slippery.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 12:09 PM  

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