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Conservatives Finish 2009 as No. 1 Ideological Group [due mainly to conservative Independents]
Gallup ^ | January 7, 2009 | Lydia Saad

Posted on 01/07/2010 7:18:21 AM PST by EternalVigilance

Uptick owing largely to more independents calling themselves conservative

by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- The increased conservatism that Gallup first identified among Americans last June persisted throughout the year, so that the final year-end political ideology figures confirm Gallup's initial reporting: conservatives (40%) outnumbered both moderates (36%) and liberals (21%) across the nation in 2009.

More broadly, the percentage of Americans calling themselves either conservative or liberal has increased over the last decade, while the percentage of moderates has declined.

Political Ideology -- Annual Trends From 1992-2009

Since 1992, there have been only two other years -- 2003 and 2004 -- in which the average percentage of conservatives nationwide outnumbered moderates, and in both cases, it was by two percentage points (in contrast to the current four points).

"The proportion of independents calling themselves "moderate" held relatively steady in the mid-40s over the last decade, while the proportion of Republican and Democratic moderates dwindled."

The rather abrupt three-point increase between 2008 and 2009 in the percentage of Americans calling themselves conservative is largely owing to an increase -- from 30% to 35% -- in the percentage of political independents adopting the label. Over the same period, there was only a slight increase in professed conservatism among Republicans (from 70% to 71%) and no change among Democrats (at 21%).

Recent Trend in Percentage Identifying as Conservative -- by Party ID

The 2009 findings come from an aggregate of 21 separate Gallup and USA Today/Gallup surveys, including nearly 22,000 interviews. The 1992 to 2008 trends also represent thousands of interviews compiled for each year. Thus, the margins of sampling error around the individual estimates are less than one percentage point.

(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: 2009polls; conservative; conservatives; gallup; independent; topten
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To: EternalVigilance
Was I addressing you?

Yes, you were. And everyone else on this thread, too.

41 posted on 01/07/2010 9:17:06 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus ("A politician who is poor is a poor politician." - Hank Gonzales)
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To: ansel12

You’re acting like a liberal. Making this about personalities and parties instead of about principles.

The test of your “trollness” is whether or not you’re here to forward conservative principles or not.

So, let’s discuss the meaning of the article that heads up this thread, shall we?

If conservatives make up the largest segment politically in America, which every decent poll shows that they do, why are they not represented proportionally now in government?


42 posted on 01/07/2010 9:19:57 AM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus

No, I was addressing the guy who has been acting like a troll.

You I have addressed according to the content of your posts as well.

If conservatives make up the largest portion of the American electorate, does the fact that they are not represented proportionally expose the failure of the Republican Party?


43 posted on 01/07/2010 9:23:50 AM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: EternalVigilance

I don’t buy for one minute that there are this many conservatives. Are there more conservatives than liberals? Absolutely, but many people like to think of themselves as conservative when they really aren’t.


44 posted on 01/07/2010 9:49:35 AM PST by conservativebuckeye
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To: EternalVigilance
You’re acting like a liberal. Making this about personalities and parties instead of about principles.

No, it is you doing that, everything you post to me is a personal attack, you say I'm lying and such, but you will not back up your troll like smears. You tried to pretend that you are just an independent guy and I posted this.

"Actually, I am the independent, for God's sake man, you are a party chairman, that makes you a political hack of the highest degree, you and Howard Dean actually run presidential campaigns for your own political parties.
You also dedicate much of your party efforts on behalf of Alan Keyes, to stopping Governor Palin, just like Howard Dean."

Using your typical method, you evaded my post and said that it was "A total misrepresentation of reality on your part. Nothing new there." but that is all you say, you will not correct my post, or tell us where the lie is.

A little straight talk would be nice, especially when you are trying to market your product to counter republican gains in American politics.

45 posted on 01/07/2010 9:50:13 AM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: ansel12

If conservatives make up the largest segment politically in America, which every decent poll shows that they do, why are they not represented proportionally now in government?


46 posted on 01/07/2010 10:00:19 AM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: ansel12
...especially when you are trying to market your product

What "product" am I trying to "market"?

For almost ten years, this is what I've promoted consistently on FR, and continue to promote:

Statement by the founder of Free Republic:

In our continuing fight for freedom, for America and our constitution and against totalitarianism, socialism, tyranny, terrorism, etc., Free Republic stands firmly on the side of right, i.e., the conservative side. Believing that the best defense is a strong offense, we (myself and those whom I'm trying to attract to FR) support the strategy of taking the fight to the enemy as opposed to allowing the enemy the luxury of conducting their attacks on us at home on their terms and on their schedule.

Therefore, we wholeheartedly support the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive strikes on known terrorist states and organizations that are believed to present a clear threat to our freedom or national security. We support our military, our troops and our Commander-in-Chief and we oppose turning control of our government back over to the liberals and socialists who favor appeasement, weakness, and subserviency. We do not believe in surrendering to the terrorists as France, Germany, Russia and Spain have done and as Kerry, Kennedy, Clinton and the Democrats, et al, are proposing.

As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty.

... to counter republican gains in American politics.

Some of us have figured out the difference between "republican" and "Republican."

I could care less whether the Republican Party survives or dies. But I care very much whether or not the republic survives.

47 posted on 01/07/2010 10:11:04 AM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: EternalVigilance
So, you will not justify or attempt to explain your charges of, "A total misrepresentation of reality on your part." when I posted this, "Actually, I am the independent, for God's sake man, you are a party chairman, that makes you a political hack of the highest degree, you and Howard Dean actually run presidential campaigns for your own political parties.
You also dedicate much of your party efforts on behalf of Alan Keyes, to stopping Governor Palin, just like Howard Dean."

If you won't support your claim then you should apologize to me for implying that I was lying, or 'totally misrepresenting reality' in my post.

48 posted on 01/07/2010 10:11:32 AM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: ansel12

Grow up.


49 posted on 01/07/2010 10:12:54 AM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
"My answer would be two-fold: education and consolidation.

Conservatives need to make the real effort to get out and educate their fellow citizens, rather than just propagandise them. We need to focus on (re)teaching Americans the philosophy of our Founders, and the underlying basis upon which it was built. We need to teach our fellow Americans how to think and apply those philosophies to today's issues. We need to get off of simply mouthing bumper sticker slogans and our focus on theatrical sideline issues like "Obama's birth certificate" and so forth. Deal with real issues that are solid, not theatrics that rely upon conspiracy theory and innuendo."


Right On Target!
50 posted on 01/07/2010 10:17:36 AM PST by rob777 (Personal Responsibility is the Price of Freedom)
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To: EternalVigilance
"If conservatives make up the largest segment politically in America, which every decent poll shows that they do, why are they not represented proportionally now in government?"


I think part of the problem is that not all people who self define as conservatives are actually ideologically conservatives. A good example is President Bush. He was a conservative by temperament, but not by ideology. How many of these self defined conservatives would buy into rolling back FDR's New Deal? I suspect that a much smaller percentage would agree to this. Labels do not mean as much if they lack ideological content.
51 posted on 01/07/2010 10:26:11 AM PST by rob777 (Personal Responsibility is the Price of Freedom)
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To: EternalVigilance

I’m not the one making childish remarks in place of explaining or apologizing for phony accusations of “A total misrepresentation of reality on your part. Nothing new there.”

You owe me an apology, not childish cracks.


52 posted on 01/07/2010 10:26:33 AM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: EternalVigilance
What "product" am I trying to "market"?

Hello? Your very first post (#1) was to post your party's marketing logo, an act that as Chairman of the Party is clearly meant to market your party and candidate here.

53 posted on 01/07/2010 10:30:23 AM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: EternalVigilance

One objection: a contemporary conservative is in fact a radical.

A radical?

Of course....

If you stand for capitalism and the U.S. Constitution you are a wild-eyed-foaming-at-the-mouth RADICAL!

If you define conservative as “reactionary” our opposition, the socialists (Democrats) are throw backs to every ancient tyranny that ever existed.


54 posted on 01/07/2010 10:32:29 AM PST by Ronbo1948
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To: ansel12

Quit whining, troll.


55 posted on 01/07/2010 10:39:01 AM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: EternalVigilance
Quit whining, troll.

Wow, I have heard of projection, but this is taking it to absurd levels, so you are the guy that Alan Keyes chose to serve as his party chairman. I just cannot get an adult response from you.

56 posted on 01/07/2010 11:00:14 AM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: ansel12

I don’t have any more time for your lying nonsense.


57 posted on 01/07/2010 12:22:10 PM PST by EternalVigilance (With God, Obama can't hurt us. Without God, George Washington couldn't save us.)
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To: EternalVigilance
You keep making personal attacks and calling names and claiming that my posts are lies, but you will not point out what the "lies" are.

That is what trolling is. You repeatedly say that I am lying or misleading, but then you will not point out the lie, that is purely making personal attacks (or trolling).

How about this one, you said that it was untrue, what is untrue about it?

"Actually, I am the independent, for God's sake man, you are a party chairman, that makes you a political hack of the highest degree, you and Howard Dean actually run presidential campaigns for your own political parties.
You also dedicate much of your party efforts on behalf of Alan Keyes, to stopping Governor Palin, just like Howard Dean."

58 posted on 01/07/2010 12:26:17 PM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
That's a problem. This means that, for whatever reason, the percentage of liberals is growing at a higher rate than the percentage of conservatives AND that liberal growth is more consistent than that of conservatives. Given the data, I suspect that a lot of it is due to "moderates" becoming more willing to self-identify as "liberals," but who knows? It could indicate a trend of tridentate shift across the spectrum, too.
We have a generational divide. The young, having been educated by the left for 12+ years and saturated by leftist culture are increasingly liberal. Many are descendants of immigrants (legal and illegal) with no tradition of liberty or American values to fall back on.

We, the stupid conservatives, think this is a yearly game. The Left is remaking America.
59 posted on 01/07/2010 1:22:47 PM PST by rmlew (Democracy tends to ignore..., threats to its existence because it loathes doing what is needed)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; ...
Thanks EternalVigilance.
60 posted on 01/07/2010 4:07:45 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Happy New Year! Freedom is Priceless.)
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