Posted on 06/30/2009 7:47:38 PM PDT by FromLori
PRINCETON, NJ -- A Gallup Poll finds a statistically significant increase since last year in the percentage of Americans who describe the Democratic Party's views as being "too liberal," from 39% to 46%. This is the largest percentage saying so since November 1994, after the party's losses in that year's midterm elections.
Most major demographic and attitudinal subgroups show at least a slight uptick since 2008 in perceptions that the Democratic Party is too liberal. The increasing perception of the Democrats as too far left comes as President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have expanded the government's role in the economy to address the economic problems facing the country. Additionally, the government is working toward major healthcare reform legislation and strengthening environmental regulations.
Notably, there has been no change over the past year in the percentage of Americans who say the Republican Party is "too conservative," though the 43% who say the party leans too far to the right matches the historical high mark set last year.
As a result, now slightly more Americans perceive the Democratic Party as being too liberal (46%) than view the GOP as being too conservative (43%).
But the Democratic Party still compares favorably to the Republican Party from the standpoint that more Americans say the Democrats' ideology is "about right" (42%) than say this about the Republicans' ideology (34%).
In fact, the 34% who say the GOP is about right is a new low since the question was first asked in 1992, and a far cry from November 1994 and November 2002, when majorities thought the Republicans' views were appropriately balanced.
Independents' Views of the Parties
Political independents' perceptions of the two major parties' ideological orientation are important since both parties need to appeal to the political center in order to win elections.
(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...
I don’t think the problem is with being liberal, it is fascist, socialist and communist that has people bothered.
“More Americans See Democratic Party as Too Liberal”
No kidding. Imagine that.
They ain’t seen nothing yet. With a Senate supermajority, we are in for some scary times.
I’m afraid you’re right.
Liberal ????? They are Communists!
More Americans see democrat party as “too lunatic”
Fixed it
Like I respect the average American voter anymore.
That’s nice, but most liberals don’t care what most Americans think of them.
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