[A. Pole]

Unsurprisingly, the core of the GOP's support turns out to be drawn from "Enterprisers," affluent, optimistic, and staunchly conservative on economic and social issues alike. But the so-called Enterprisers represent just 11 percent of registered voters--and apart from them, the most reliable GOP voters are Social Conservatives (13 percent of registered voters) and Pro-Government Conservatives (10 percent of voters). Both groups are predominantly female(Enterprisers are overwhelmingly male); both are critical of big business; and both advocate more government involvement to alleviate the economic risks faced by a growing number of families. They tend to be hostile to expanding free trade, Social Security reform, and guest-worker proposals --which is to say the Bush second term agenda

Women are putting the interest of their families before the interest of big business owners? How unwise of them.

[Question_Assumptions]

Luckily for Republicans, the Democrats squander whatever appeal they might have for the masses on trade, labor, consumer protection, and corporate oversight by being anti-American and anti-family. Basically, the fringe of each side succeeds in scaring those on the other side to no switch sides or back a third party, even when they have substantial disagreements with the people on their own side. I get the suspicion that a lot of voting is being done more to keep "the other guy" out of office rather than to really back and support the guy that people are voting for.

[ex-snook]

thanks for ping. re: "They tend to be hostile to expanding free trade, Social Security reform, and guest-worker proposals --which is to say the Bush second term agenda"

Ya might throw in health care, college costs, unrecognized grocery inflation, the Iraq war with a second front in South America plus draft fears to sustain continuous WW III, IV, V of whatever name. Maybe they have become 'Bushed' and yearn for a conservative like Reagan?

[Alberta's Child]

Women are putting the interest of their families before the interest of big business owners? How unwise of them.

Sure. And I guess we're supposed to be thrilled to hear that they "advocate more government involvement to alleviate economic risks," right?

[NeoCaveman]

and Pro-Government Conservatives (10 percent of voters).

Isn't this term an oxymoron?