U.S. Is Still More Conservative

This isn’t surprising to see with the public reaction to the stimulus plan and healthcare. Confirmed by Gallup in a poll released today:

Conservatives continue to outnumber moderates and liberals in the American populace in 2009, confirming a finding that Gallup first noted in June. Forty percent of Americans describe their political views as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 20% as liberal. This marks a shift from 2005 through 2008, when moderates were tied with conservatives as the most prevalent group.

That is a 3% percent increase from 2008, while liberals saw a 2% decrease.  Gallup also notes Americans moving to the right on certain issues:

• Perceptions that there is too much government regulation of business and industry jumped from 38% in September 2008 to 45% in September 2009.

• The percentage of Americans saying they would like to see labor unions have less influence in the country rose from 32% in August 2008 to a record-high 42% in August 2009.

• Public support for keeping the laws governing the sale of firearms the same or making them less strict rose from 49% in October 2008 to 55% in October 2009, also a record high. (The percentage saying the laws should become more strict — the traditionally liberal position — fell from 49% to 44%.)

• The percentage of Americans favoring a decrease in immigration rose from 39% in June/July 2008 to 50% in July 2009.

• The propensity to want the government to "promote traditional values" — as opposed to "not favor any particular set of values" — rose from 48% in 2008 to 53% in 2009. Current support for promoting traditional values is the highest seen in five years.

• The percentage of Americans who consider themselves "pro-life" on abortion rose from 44% in May 2008 to 51% in May 2009, and remained at a slightly elevated 47% in July 2009.

• Americans’ belief that the global warming problem is "exaggerated" in the news rose from 35% in March 2008 to 41% in March 2009.

The main thing to note is that this is a shift among independents.  So the Republican Party will benefit only if they stand on principles and campaign on principles.  If that doesn’t happen we’ll see more examples like the NY 23 Congressional Race.

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