[Torie]

I am using the paleo con parameters that are used on that ideology test site. You know the one I mean, where of the 10 ideologies number one for me was neocon, and number 9 or 10 was paleo con. What is interesting about it all is that this suggests that these two wings of conservatism really can't do much business together. Cheers.

[billbears]

I've found that a lot of those 'tests' tend to be off. I do believe there is some middle ground but I'm also seeing something that while evident (at least to me living in the South) is rarely mentioned. In the past 15 years, the state of NC has become overrun with those from outside. Especially in the larger markets such as Raleigh-Durham, and Charlotte. I've been flamed for it before but I'll say it again. A northern Republican is different than a true Southern Republican (Democrat, and yes except for the 'new' Democrats we've been cursed with down here in the past 20-30 years those names are interchangeable).

From what I've seen northern Republicans tend to be more liberal in some of their stances, especially in the social platform. I work with many people from the north and some from here in NC as well and it's plain to see the two arms look at things very differently. Take for example Elizabeth Dole (I keep using it because it is the most evident, sorry). She is pro-choice, pro-tariff, and anti-gun. Bowles is the same way. Now she will get plenty of support from the unions here in NC, but unions themselves have only been in the South for about 80 years. As for the pro-choice and anti-gun issues those are most definitely not from this region. But she will get elected by the 'country club' Republicans in this state and those that are willing to vote for the lesser of two evils. As I've said before I will not anymore but there you go

Isolationist? Depends on what you mean by that. I am an isolationist in that I feel we are in too many 'defense' treaties but I fear that die was cast as far back as the trade wars in the mid to late 19th century so there's much that can be done about that. Protectionist? This is where I steer away and any Southerner worth their salt would as well. The Confederacy herself was set up on the issue of free trade. While that was never fully realized because of the ensuing four year war, it was the intent. But protectionism is another northern trait.

That's just my two cents, flame me if you will but it is from observation and seeing how the political battleground has changed in this state just during my lifetime