Liberal delusions of grandeur - America is still a conservative nation

Telegraph Blogs (U.K.) ^ | July 8, 2009 | Nile Gardiner

[Schnucki]

A new poll by Gallup explodes the fashionable myth that the United States has become a more liberal country in the wake of the Obama revolution. By a 2 to 1 margin, Americans say their political views in recent years have become more conservative rather than more liberal – 39 per cent to 18 per cent.

Gallup’s figures are striking. The poll shows a clear shift to the Right on many key domestic issues since 2004, including rising opposition to big government as well as bans on gun ownership, growing support for pro-life policies, and increasing scepticism over the idea of government taking responsibility for health care. On foreign and security issues, the Gallup poll revealed a significant rise in public support for maintaining or increasing US defence spending, which rose from 52 per cent in 2008 to 65 per cent in 2009. Even support for the decision to go to war against Iraq has spiked from 39 per cent to 43 per cent over the past year.

These latest findings chime with an earlier Gallup survey from last month which showed that 40 per cent of Americans now call themselves conservative, up from 37 per cent in 2007 and 2008. This is the highest level of support for conservatism since 2004. In contrast, just 21 per cent of Americans declare themselves as liberals, and 35 per cent as moderates.

Although the Republican Party remains relatively weak in the face of Democratic rule of the White House and Congress, the conservative movement as a whole (not the same thing as the GOP) is undergoing a marked revival, with grassroots conservative groups significantly increasing membership, conservative talk radio dominating the airwaves, and a sharp decline in the popularity of the establishment mainstream media. It is no coincidence

[DiogenesLaertius]

If the Iraq war had gone better, the Republicans would still have control of congress and the white house most likely.

It’s not the a party’s position on a variety of issues that matters in elections, it’s the party’s position on the issue (singular) that voters are thinking about when casting ballots.

Unfortunately last fall most voters voted against Bush (even though he wasn’t running) and against the bad economy (which the media told them to blame republicans for).

Hopefully in 2010 and 2012 the voters will be thinking, “Obama = Carter,” and “Where are the jobs?”

[dhuynh73]

The election of November 2008 was not being run by a conservative therefore we have a sell out of the United States in the White House. In 2012 we will have Sarah Palin and Hussein will not be reelected if conservative stand with Gov. Palin and not flip flopping all over the map. I vote for Gov. Palin in 2008 and I will do the same.

Let Hussein have his moment so that the American people will finally realized they've elected a Socialist idiot into the White House. He is not my president, there is not transparency. Hey Mr. President how about that birth certificate. Stop apologizing for being an American, you should be proud of it, unless your not one of us. Mr. Nobama, what side are you really on.

[Linda Frances]

Too many Americans care more about “American Idol” then investigating what is really happening in this country. The mass of liberals are sheep who glance at a new york slime and belive they are enlightened. They will follow obama over a cliff. Actually they are, and are pushing everyone over that cliff with them.

[Always Right]

If the Iraq war had gone better, the Republicans would still have control of congress and the white house most likely.

I think it was the economic crisis that really did the GOP in. McCain completely blew it and looked like the last person on earth you would want dealing with it. He did nothing to defend or promote conservative principles or actions. He just stood there as Obama mercilessly attack Bush and his policies. McCain had no response.

[REPANDPROUDOFIT]

Too many Americans care more about “American Idol” then investigating what is really happening in this country.

Thank you very much! I, too, despise the "American Idol mentality" that has overtaken this country. The sheeple are more concerned with Am. Idol, Michael Jackson and twittering than they are with truth in politics.

We are raising generations of kids who demand to be entertained at every moment. Unfortunately, many in the media strive to offer them "entertainment" rather than NEWS!

[REPANDPROUDOFIT]

I never understood McCain's "I must return to Washington" moment. Suspending his campaign to work on the economic crisis was exactly what the American people should have expected of a high-ranking U.S. Senator. As soon as Obama made fun of him for not being a multi-tasker, McCain withered on the vine and returned to the campaign trail with his tail between his legs. Not pretty!

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

To: Always Right I never understood McCain's "I must return to Washington" moment. Suspending his campaign to work on the economic crisis was exactly what the American people should have expected of a high-ranking U.S. Senator. As soon as Obama made fun of him for not being a multi-tasker, McCain withered on the vine and returned to the campaign trail with his tail between his legs. Not pretty! YES and NO!!

It was not necessarily his suspending his campaign to return to DC that did him in, it was his lending support to the Bailout

IF, he had gone back and took the lead in VOCIFEROUSLY opposing this Boondoggle, one can almost, guarantee, he could have rode this right to the Oval Office, considering how many were opposed thereto, while DEAR LEADER was all for it.

Moreover, though the Teleprompter King was deriding McLame for not being a "Multi-Tasker," Juan could have turned this to his advantage by suggesting he was more concerned about the "folk's" pocketbook than the profligate, big-spending, Lib, Demo-Rat and that was why he was in DC to look out for those, B. Hussein, cared not enough to be there with him to exercise some leadership in this matter.

[x_plus_one]

If the Iraq war had gone better,

There is nothing that could have made the takeover in Iraq go any smoother. There is a total lack of any cultural history of genial self government for Iraq or its neighbors.

Bush could have spoken up when he was blasted by the left. His silence left an opening for the BDS'ers to create momentum. Now they have morphed into the "Anti-Birthers". Bush left his party in the lurch by keeping silent. He did no one any favors.

[Biggirl]

I sense a growing anger against the lib Dems, the RINO GOPers, and the state media, as seen by the obsessed worship of a recent dead celeb, the sucessful growth of the tea parties as the seeds having been planted to make 2010 the new 1994.

[BobL]

Once again the Brits show that they understand US politics better than anyone else, other than top Democrats.

If conservatives lead liberals 40 to 21%, then the LAST THING that the Dems can allow is a conservative, any conservative to get traction. Sarah got that traction...which is why they had to follow her back to Alaska AFTER she lost the election and try to finish her off.

They REALLY fear her.

[Welcome2thejungle]

We are NOT, I repeat NOT a conservative nation. Not in any way shape or form. Our government is now well to the left of most major European parliaments. No conservative country would have allowed a person as clearly radical as BHO any where near the most powerful job in the whole world. Also look at the Congress where the radical left Democrats enjoy huge majorities including a filibuster proof senate. This is CLEARLY THE DARKEST PERIOD IN OUR HISTORY AT LEAST SINCE THE 1930s.

Polls are irrelevant. Elections are what count. I hope to God I’m wrong in my analysis but clearly the American people have their heads up their a—— electing this freaking Marxist A-hole. Let’s revisit this subject in November 2010. But right now I have never seen in my entire life an atmosphere so completely inhospital towards free market capitalism, limited government, and traditional values—the very essence of conservatism.