US continues move to the right; Dems don't get it

[DanS]

Even though I think the democratic party is lurching to the left while the country is moving to the right, the GOP is still in the process of being punished for spending too much money under Bush and may not be able to take advantage of the favorable terrain.

By way of background, the US electorate has been moving to the right for decades (the definition of the "right" may have moved slightly left meanwhile). Self-identified conservatives are over a third of the voting public. Here's are two issues from the Pew Center that illustrate the point.

Since 1993, the differential on gun rights has moved 19 points to the right.

Since 1995, the differential on abortion has moved ~ 20 points to the right.

http://people-press.org/report/513/public-takes-conservative-turn-on-gun-control-abortion

[Asher]

Sorry, which party just took control of the government?

[Guynemer]

And yet, the people who identify themselves as Republicans are at an all-time low of ~20%, whilst Dems and Independants are equal at ~35%.

[Asher]

Are we expected to believe "The Pew Research Center" does not have religious affiliations?

The "abortion support" results in particular changed dramatically when the source changed to the "Pew Research Center" also.

[Asher]

I also see gay marriage support trending towards acceptance, which is not a "right wing" thing.

[DanS]

The Pew Research Center is very well respected. I don't think you'll get too far on the bias issue on them.

[DaShi]

It's not about bias. It's about your conclusions. . .again.

[Asher]

The Pew Research Center is very well respected. I don't think you'll get too far on the bias issue on them.

The name is just suspicious to me. I don't know anything about them.

The graph is all over the place. Are they incompetent or are Americans incompetent?

[DanS]

And yet, the people who identify themselves as Republicans are at an all-time low of ~20%, whilst Dems and Independants are equal at ~35%.

I'm not sure of the 20% figure, but even if the figure isn't right, I do think that the GOP went seriously off track. It's bad when you can't even appeal to your bedrock supporters.

The Dems are misinterpreting the high tide here. They think that the country is moving toward the left rather than the reality that the GOP is incredibly weak now.

[Ben Kenobi]

The name is just suspicious to me. I don't know anything about them.

Pew research is very respected.

The same trend has shown up in Gallup. This is something I've been tracking for years now. Abortion support peaked in the early 90s, and has declined. There are a fair number of folks who are pro gay marriage and prolife which seems odd to me.

[Dinner]

And yet, the people who identify themselves as Republicans are at an all-time low of ~20%, whilst Dems and Independants are equal at ~35%.

Yeah, I don't think DanS gets it on this one. Plus Obama's approval rating is at 69% (as of this week) and the approval rating of Democrats in Congress is about 55% while the approval rating of Republicans in Congress is about 25%. I'm not seeing the supposed move to the right especially since the Republicans aren't offering any serious solutions to any problems and instead are just being the party of NO. The really funny part is that several times Republicans have flip flopped on issues they previously supported just so they could be opposite of Obama.

Talk about pointless opposition and obstructionism.

[Dinner]

I also see gay marriage support trending towards acceptance, which is not a "right wing" thing.

Maine and Vermont are both passing legislation to legalize marriage equality.

[Wiglaf]

EQUALITY IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD . HAVENT YOU READ HARRISON BERGERON YOU IDIOT

Men are better at things like POWERSAWS, WORKING, HUNTING, and MAKING BANK. Women are good at HAVING BABIES, COOKING, AND GATHERING FRUIT. This is has been true forever. You put them TOGETHER and you get BABIES and a complementary COUPLE to boot.

STOP TRYING TO EQUALIZE ME. I have talents you do not and I do not want them to be removed in the name of your godless California equality

[Dinner]

The Dems are misinterpreting the high tide here. They think that the country is moving toward the left rather than the reality that the GOP is incredibly weak now.

What have the Dems done lately which is "leftist"? Seriously, Obama has been so mind numbingly middle of the road on everything it has been disheartening to watch. In any event the Dems poll numbers are very high so I just don't see the basis for your conclusion; it would seem you are seeing what you want to see.

[chequita guevara]

The Pew Research Center is very well respected. I don't think you'll get too far on the bias issue on them.

It was an obvious joke on the word "pew." He swings and a miss.