Posted on 06/02/2015 7:10:50 AM PDT by SJackson
A new Gallup Poll says that on social issues, Americans are moving left. They’re becoming more liberal. This has huge political implications – implications not good for the Republican Party.
Americans find all sorts of social issues more “morally acceptable” today than they did at the turn of this century. In 2001, 40 percent of Americans supported gay rights; today it’s 63 percent.
On sex between an unmarried man and a woman, in 2001, 53 percent approved; today it’s 68 percent.
Even on a hot button issue like medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos, more Americans approve today than they used to. In 2001, 52 percent approved; now it’s 64 percent.
On social issues only five percent of those polled said they are “very conservative.”
So if only five percent of the voters are “very conservative” on social issues, does the Republican Party really want to pick the most socially conservative candidate to run for president?
Do the candidates really want to show that they’re more conservative than the next guy?
But if the party picks a moderate, the true blue conservative purists will sit home on Election Day. That’s what happened when both McCain and Romney were the party’s nominees. The suicide wing didn’t vote.
I’m sure Republicans don’t think about it this way, but Barack Obama’s coalition consisted of blacks, Latinos, single women, union members, academics and … angry conservatives. When the conservative purists stay home on Election Day, it’s a vote for the liberal Democrat.
Conclusion: Republicans have a problem.
On top of all this there’s the Electoral College, which helps the Democrats. The election is still more than a year off, but it’s a safe bet right now that Hillary will win New York State, California, Illinois, Washington State, Oregon, Minnesota, Vermont, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Massachusetts. Pick up only a few more here and there, and it’ll be time for the coronation.
There is one ray of sunshine for the GOP: Polls show that most Americans don’t think Mrs. Clinton is trustworthy. And – I know this is highly subjective – but she’s not especially likeable either. Except when Richard Nixon beat Hubert Humphrey, the more likable candidate has won every modern day election. (Many conservatives will never acknowledge that Mr. Obama was or is likable in any way. A majority of voters may disagree, though his race was a major factor, at least in his first victory.)
So it probably would be a good idea if the Republicans pick someone who doesn’t scare the kids and the dogs. I can name a few who do, but you know who they are.
If they pick a “very conservative” candidate, the people who watch Fox News and listen to Rush Limbaugh will be pleased. But the euphoria will fade when Hillary Clinton is sworn in as president.
Yes. The problem is that the party is willing to throw principle in the trash at the drop of a hat.
The other problem is that conservatism is taught to young people almost nowhere in this country, and liberalism is like nuclear fallout all over America.
The whole Bruce Jenner thing kind of proves this. Imagine Bruce Jenner doing this in the 70s.
The communist plan to take down America has succeeded. Gramsci is smiling ear to ear.
In Mr. Goldberg’s dreams.
Of course with the media edge for the Dems and fecklessness of the corporate conservative class what else is new? We need to change the media realities in this country. We need to come up with an aggressive course of media reform that creates power locally instead of in New York and California and besides stopping immigration this is the biggest issue of must do things we need to do if we win in ‘16. Ours and out nations survival depends on reversing these two out of control locomotives.
Wouldn’t be an issue if both sides weren’t hard-over trying to make government part of the social process.
Wasn’t the American Experiment an attempt at self government, individual volition and character providing impetus to all endeavors, such volition protected by a Bill of Rights?
KYPD
True; you make a good point.
These polls never ask me.
No one is talking about the social and physical consequences of sin anymore. It’s taboo in politics and most churches now.
What we see is the dumbing down of the population...or over-immigration by third worlders.
You think the poll is BS? I don't. I don't need a poll to tell me America is becoming more socially liberal. I can see it with my own eyes.
Bernard Goldberg is a conservative.
“On sex between an unmarried man and a woman, in 2001, 53 percent approved; today it’s 68 percent.”
Who wants state sanction of “marriage” when “marriage” has no firm definition?
If we get a Bush v. Clinton race, we may as well have a Clinton / Bush ticket.
How many times have we all allowed liberals to demonize conservative positions in our presence and said nothing because we don't want to make a fuss? We must refuse to be muzzled by liberal name calling and illogical theories. We need to be vocal advocates for conservative ideas. Silence means consent!
A good example of our sheep mentality is gay marriage. We have allowed some 4-6% of our population and the liberal base to bully us into not only accepting it, but to celebrate it by baking cakes, arranging flowers, etc. If gays would like to be married, garnering for themselves the legal advantages, most of us are fine with that. However, we must stand up for those who are threatened and refuse to be dragged into the conga line. We are back to your rights end where mine begin!
Bernie's most important point: “But if the party picks a moderate, the true blue conservative purists will sit home on Election Day. That’s what happened when both McCain and Romney were the party’s nominees. The suicide wing didn't vote.”
So, my friends, we may have to vote for the lesser of two evils in 2016. For the elections of 2008 and 2012 the suicide wing was FR. Let's not make that terrible mistake a third time.
Wow the guy really has an agenda. Limbaugh has been thinking that Football is under attack from the left. They wanted to soften it up due to concussions but now maybe they will ruin it with leftist politics. My 17 yearold son will be a great test. He loves the NFL, too much in my opinion, but he really hates leftist doctrine. I wonder if they will push him away.
I have a feeling the only thing conservative about him is that he recognizes the blatant bias in the media. Maybe I have the wrong gentleman, but I have heard somewhat less than conservative talk from the Mr. Goldberg, who appears periodically on O’Reilly.
If I am wrong I apologize.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.