Sarah Palin, "not retreating," but 'advancing in a new direction." AP photo.
by Mark Silva
You might not know it from the way things have turned out at the polls lately, but more Americans say their political views have grown more conservative, rather than more liberal, in recent years.
By a margin of two-to-one: 39 percent say more conservative, 18 percent more liberal. A substantial core of people, 42 percent, say they haven't really changed.
Maybe Sarah Palin, the failed Republican Party nominee for vice president in 2008 and governor of Alaska who captured the Fourth of July news cycle with her surprise announcement on Friday that she will resign on July 26, a year-and-a-half shy of the end of her first term, understood this in explaining that she really is not retreating, but rather "advancing in a new direction.''
Nearly six in ten Americans approve of the job that the John Roberts-led Supreme Court is doing -- up from 5 in 10 a year a ago - at a time when the Senate is about to debate the nomination of President Barack Obama's first justice, Sonia Sotomayor, confirmation hearings starting July 13..
Maybe Republican leaders in general are on to growing restlessness in the ranks of conservatives with their incessant drumbeat of doubt about all the initiatives that Obama, victor of the 2008 elections and still enjoying a honeymoon with the public, is pressing. His economic stimulus, they say, is only part of his runaway spending and deficits - "where are the jobs,'' House Republican Leader John Boehner asked over the Palinated holiday weekend. Healthcare reform is only piling more government on government spending, they say, the energy bill nothing but a 'national energy tax.''
The first test of who's on the right track will come with the midterm congressional elections next year. And the state of the economy at that turn will have a lot to do with it.
For now, the Gallup Poll's review of its surveys suggests just this: Ideologically, a lot of people are moving in a more conservative direction - nearly four in ten of all voters.
This may provide politicians such as Palin a growing base to work with in 2012, but it certainly poses a more complex challenge for the president's party: Convincing a broad swath of the American public that the stimulus has been worth it, that healthcare reform is essential and that their energy initiatives will deliver more of that independence that everyone was celebrating with fireworks over the weekend that belonged to one Sarah Palin, ex-mayor of Wasilla and soon-to-be ex-governor of Alaska, "passing the ball.''
Or, it may underscore the fact that the politician who owns the road will be the one driving down the middle of it.
While it is independents and Democrats who most often say that their views have not shifted, more members of all three blocs - Republicans, Democrats and independents alike, indicate that "their views have shifted to the right rather than to the left,'' Gallup's Lydia Saad writes.
The findings from Gallup's June 14-17 polling " somewhat confirm'' the pollsters' findings about annual trends in the self-definition of American political ideology.
So far in 2009, Gallup reports, the number of Americans calling themselves conservative is up slightly: 40 percent from January through May, 37 percent in 2007 and 2008. And this is at its highest level since 2004.
Nevertheless, Gallup notes, the numbers are " conspicuously incongruous with the results of the 2008 elections, in which the Democratic Party won the White House for the first time in eight years, and increased its majority control in the U.S. House and Senate.
"Rather than suggesting an upturn in conservatism, the elections, the tattered image of the GOP, depressed identification with the Republican Party, and President Obama's broad popularity have many in and outside of the Republican Party wondering whether the country has outgrown the GOP's largely conservative platform.''
While 38 percent of Americans surveyed in June called themselves conservative, the majority of them - 58 percent - said their views had grown more conservative in recent years. A lot of liberals have grown more liberal, too - 42 percent of those surveyed. But the number of people who call themselves liberal is much smaller, just 18 percent.
"Given the stark differences between the current political scene and the one surrounding the 2004 elections, 2004 represents a good comparison point for this analysis,'' Gallup's Saad writes. "Not only was there a five-point drop between 2004 and 2008 (from 51 to 46 percent) in the popular vote for the Republican presidential candidate, but there has been a similar drop (from 45 percent in 2004 to 40 percent in 2008 and 39 percent in 2009) in the percentage affiliating themselves with the Republican Party.
"Have Americans' positions on major cultural, social, and policy issues shifted left accordingly? A broad review of the available trends suggests not. However, they have not shifted solidly right either, countering Americans' claims in the new poll that they have grown more conservative.''
For instance:
Americans are becoming more conservative on gun control With opposition to banning handguns growing from 2004 to 2008, from 63 to 69 percent. And disagreement with making gun laws "more strict" grew, from 45 to 49 percent.
"Americans are more likely to say the economy should be given priority over the environment when the two interests conflict -- although that may reflect the difficult economic times, rather than an ideological shift away from environmentalism.''
Americans are less conservative on immigration. On the question of whether the level of immigration into the United States should be increased, decreased, or stay the same, the percentage favoring decreased immigration (a traditionally more Republican/conservative stance) fell from 49 percent in 2004 to 39 percent in 2008.
The percentage of Americans in favor of maintaining the current healthcare system based on private insurance was 63 percent in 2004 and 56 percent in March 2009 -- a drop of seven points for the traditionally conservative healthcare position.
They have a lot more information on a lot of issues at <strong>Gallup.com, with the report on this poll and their review of earlier surveys.
Their bottom line:
"Given the 2008 election returns, many are asking whether the GOP has become too conservative on the issues or whether Americans have grown more liberal. At the same time, upon the end of the 2008-2009 Supreme Court term, court watchers are noting the divergence between the liberal direction in which Obama seems to be taking the country and the conservative direction being paved by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
"Which way do Americans want to be led? While the new Gallup Poll finds the public reporting a heightened sense of conservatism in its political outlook, Americans' specific policy positions have not changed much since 2004. To the extent they have, about as many of these positions have become more liberal as more conservative.
A"side from the trends, Gallup's recent polling from 2008-2009 indicates that a majority of Americans concur with the Republican Party's general philosophy on the death penalty, defense spending, gay marriage, the role of government, environmental protection, and handgun legislation.
"Americans are about as likely to agree with the Republican Party's general philosophy as they are to agree with the Democratic Party's in terms of abortion, government activism, government promotion of "traditional" values, taxes, changing the power of labor unions, and certain aspects of the need for healthcare reform. They are more likely to agree with the Democratic Party's philosophy on other aspects of healthcare reform, embryonic stem-cell research, government regulation of business, the Iraq war, and immigration.
"With such a mix of political leanings, then, it is understandable that Americans can approve of the job Obama is doing as president (his approval ratings remain near his term average of 63 percent), and simultaneously approve of the job the Supreme Court is doing (59 percent now approve, up from 48 percent a year ago).''
The most recent polling of 1,011 adults carries a possible margin of error of 3 percentage points. The findings on trends come from earlier surveys of more than 1,000 adults, with the same margin of error.
Comments
Sara Palin should be named Chair of the RNC. Steele is a non-starter. The RNC never got their "bang for the buck" with him. Being black wasn't as important as the old boys thought it would be. So boot him out and usher in Sara. Pay her big bucks so she can continue her legal wrangling and give her the podium to espouse the RNC talking points. She wants the spotlight. She wants to lead. Let her try.
Only one problem.....even the RNC isn't that crazy!
So Sara will end up on Fox News, right next to Huckabee and Rove. Spouting the coulda, woulda, shoulda crap all the "do as I say not as I do Republicans" chant ad nauseum.
Sara and Bill will have a televised love fest that will leave everyone watching feeling dirty and used.
See you on Fox Sara. Enjoy the ride!
Posted by: kg123 | July 6, 2009 8:44 AM
A new direction? Yes, straight towards the Iowa caucuses...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | July 6, 2009 8:48 AM
Sarah 2012-
Rid American of of Obama Media Censorship.
Posted by: Inky | July 6, 2009 9:20 AM
bubba Porter will explode when he sees that photo. Next up, Sarah dribbles through the full court press. Sarah, please stay home and raise your kids.
Posted by: Flo | July 6, 2009 9:29 AM
Anyone who rides an ATV should wear a helmet for safety purposes, but not this dimwit. Looks like a photo op to me. Something more for the Palin lovers to drool over.
Posted by: Doug R. | July 6, 2009 9:37 AM
Palin is dumb as a rock and a meglamaniac to boot, without a shread of humility--perfect for GOP leadership and/or a spot on Fox "News" (one in the same).
Posted by: gibster | July 6, 2009 9:46 AM
Whatever way you want to spin it Mark, the Obama bubble is leaking green gas, just like the hype Hollywood BS about man-made climate change. American folks are realizing the fantasies behind the spend and tax WH policies and misleading bias from their MSM trumpeters for his failing agenda. As the employment numbers fail to materialize from the hollow promises of 3.5 million new jobs from a rushed, non-read, Democract Porkulous charade, folks are not buying into the Obama/MSM hype of the past and present and are seriously questioning the direction of the government run by the liberal Dems.and the Obama socialist WH. This massive new debt (Obama's not Bush's) is nightmare for fiscal responsible folks, as well as the new taxes coming along in a sham attempt to tell us that it is something else or that they will effect someone else just not the middle class. Mark, you should step out from the herd and start to seriously question the Obama policies (take a hint from Joe, they just do not understand economics or see crash of Harvard's endowments under the direction and guidance of Larry Summers, now the Prez's own economic disaster). When the tide turns you will look visionary but may lose you press buddies and the WH welcome. Small price to pay for being on the right side for America. Keep those Palin post coming, because they are the only ones the lefties can crow about. Can't hype up the bad news from Obamageddon
Posted by: bubba Porter | July 6, 2009 10:12 AM
"Histrionic personality disorder". Q.v.
Textbook case.
Posted by: ornery | July 6, 2009 10:13 AM
Palin should be named Chair of the RNC. She embodies everything the Republican Party stands for, quitting.
Posted by: Basso | July 6, 2009 10:18 AM
I think Sarah Palin is needed for the 2010 election cycle. She will be a great draw for fundraising and campaigning. We can not wait till 2012 to get the congress and senate on equal terms. The country might be ruined by 2012 with no hope of a comeback.
Posted by: barb | July 6, 2009 11:31 AM
Palin’s move puts yet more pressure on Obama to finally get some results, as the soaring rhetoric isn’t hypnotizing the plebes like it used to.
Last week Helen Thomas, Colin Powell, and Warren Buffet all turned on him. Polls are looking droopy for The One lately.
And Obama’s porkulus program is a train wreck, all it’s done is bump interest rates and tank the dollar. We are being laughed at by bad guys like Tehran, Pyongyang, and Al Qaida who amazingly turned-down Barack’s friend-requests.
Palin could trounce him in 2012, when Americans would vote for the Gipper-in-Heels in droves- while begging for lower taxes, free enterpise, a defense posture with some backbone… an end to the radical, anti-American nightmare we’ve got now.
Go get ‘em Sarah-
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | July 6, 2009 11:37 AM
Bailin' Palin - ha!
Posted by: Cean | July 6, 2009 11:51 AM
Todays Line:
Over/under on the number of days until Palin announces move to New York City: 57
Odds that Palin's Higher Calling is joining the evil media: 3/2
Odds that Palin will say any criticism of her decision is unfair: No bets. 10 % certainty
Posted by: Jimmy The Greek | July 6, 2009 11:53 AM
Scary Sarahhhh?
Posted by: ornery | July 6, 2009 12:36 PM
That was supposed to be "100% certainty"!
Posted by: Jimmy The Greek | July 6, 2009 12:43 PM
SARAH PALIN'S "POPULARITY" IS BASED ON HER GOOD LOOKS AND OR HER GENDER Has there ever been a more shamelessly obvious example of a good looking woman exploiting her sex appeal to reach undeserved and or unwarranted heights of personal gain, adulation, notoriety and or celebrity than in the case of Sarah Palin?
Paris Hilton? Anna Nicole Smith? Pamela Anderson? Eleanor Roosevelt? Golda Meir? Margaret Thatcher? Mother Theresa?
Posted by: osage | July 6, 2009 1:11 PM
I thought the Dems would be happy with the news that Palin is stepping down. I don't know why the Dems are concerned with the goings on in the GOP at all - why you guys so concerned? You guys won, relax, enjoy your majority and enjoy your hope and change. Hey we're down the tubes according to you guys so why all the worry about what one little gal from Alaska and what her plans are? Celebrate, Al Franken made it - you own the Congress. You get what you've always wanted and your still bitchin.
Posted by: vla | July 6, 2009 1:41 PM
Mark complains about the "incessant drumbeat" by conservatives over Obumbles initiatives. Mark, news flash for you since you live in a hidden cave in Left Wing La-La Land, most polls show that by overwhelming amounts most Americans do not like Obumbles policies nor how left he is. Many polls, Mark, have Oshambles approval ratings now in the low to mid 50s and his negatives outweighing his positives, meaning there are more who dislike or disprove of Obumbles than like or approve of him. Now the clueless and idiot sheep that make up a majority of the Democratic party are still in love with the guy as is the state-run media, of which you a part of. But more and more Americans are alarmed by this absolute baffoon of a president. As Joe Friday would say, "those are the facts!"
Posted by: John D | July 6, 2009 1:45 PM
Shouldn't the child at least have a helmet on?
Posted by: Safety First | July 6, 2009 2:19 PM
Posted by: Jimmy The Greek | July 6, 2009 11:53 AM
.
Επιστρέψτε στον τάφο σας!
Posted by: John W. | July 6, 2009 2:34 PM
Palin is a piece of fringe right-wing garbage.
She didn't have any problem trashing Hillary and claiming that Pres Obama "pals around with terrorists" etc, but when she gets called out she hides behind her kids and plays the victim role.
In many ways Palin represents the 2009 GOP perfectly, her picture should be right next to the word "Narcissist" in dictionary.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC-tOzXQOsk
Posted by: The Quitta from Wasilla | July 6, 2009 2:45 PM
The country, the polls show, is becoming more conservative, but unfortunately, the media, including the media's self-assigned Palin lynch mob, tilts even further to the left with its adulation of Obama and his socialist programs. Too many Americans view
their country through the Marxist-liberal general media, but maybe there are enough to throw off these new shackles of a Leninist-inclined government to wage a new peaceful American revolution.
Posted by: Madison | July 6, 2009 2:45 PM
What Republicans can't understand is that criticizing some one is not necessarily turning against him. Obama has the hardest job, he has all the new problems that come up and all the ones that Bush created and dumped in his lap.
What Mr Obama must do is act on what is possible and when your oppositions principle purpose is to make you fail not improve the country, the possible shrinks considerably.
Don't take too much heart in polls. If the question were phrased properly I could be assumed to be a Republican voter. But until there is new leadership I know that the Republican legislators will march like shackled convicts and thus not to be trusted.
If we get a decent health care package I know that it will be because some Republicans chose their country over their party leadership and for me that will be a step in the right direction.
Posted by: Ron M | July 6, 2009 2:53 PM
The country, the polls show, is becoming more conservative, but unfortunately, the media, including the media's self-assigned Palin lynch mob, tilts even further to the left with its adulation of Obama and his socialist programs. Too many Americans viewtheir country through the Marxist-liberal general media, but maybe there are enough to throw off these new shackles of a Leninist-inclined government to wage a new peaceful American revolution.
Posted by: Madison | July 6, 2009 2:45 PM
---------------------------------------
.
I love how all of Planet Wingnuttia (see above) likes to claim that they have some sort of secret majority hidden away somewhere that only they can see or something.
With the kind of numbers the GOP has now they couldn't win a game of Bingo, let alone a National Election.
.
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/the-incredible-shrinking-gop-only-one-in-five-self-identify-as-republican/
Posted by: Letterman rules! | July 6, 2009 3:59 PM
Look at the Blessed Mother. What an adorable picture. Now don't you even consider altering it in any way. Our Lady Of Wassila has decreed that images of her and her children are sacred, and that any altering of them is a literal "desecration". A lack of respect to her Divine Personage wil not be tolerated. Look at the wrath that she has directed at the people of Alaska for the sin of questioning her. She has withdrawn her diviine favor from them as a result of their blasphemous questioning of her perfection.
Posted by: Benedict | July 6, 2009 4:20 PM
It's so sad to see so many angry old rich Republican white guys cry over their beloved Caribou Barbie.....Not!
They loves her. She is their Messiah/Sex Symbol. Which shows you just how morally, intellectually, and spiritually bankrupt the Republican party is.
Let Faux and Druggy Rush etc continue to worship her. She'll never get elected because she is still playing the narrow Nixon/Buchanan/Reagan Southern Republican base which no longer works anywhere but the isolated South. It's like she's refused to get a converter box and is still trying to get TV reception on an analog signal with rabbit ears. Just a lot of white noise.
Posted by: Youbetcha! | July 6, 2009 4:29 PM
Shouldn't the child at least have a helmet on?
Posted by: Safety First | July 6, 2009 2:19 PM
Ummm -- that would be puttin' big government up there in your business and tellin' you how to ride yer ATV and how to keep yer young'ns out of harms way doncha know!
Posted by: lochnesssmonster | July 6, 2009 5:19 PM
Palin is part of a religious extremist movement known as "dominionism," of which some adherents are into something they call Prophesy, which is the idea that a pastor can speak with Scriptural authority.
In other words, crazy rightwing extremist pastors can speak with the authority of Scripture. From there it's a very short step to believing that one can also speak for God.
Yes, these people are that crazy. Some of them blow up womens' clinics with bombs, some shoot abortion doctors, some murder people at a Holocaust museum, some make hate-speechs to stir up the others; but some go on to hold public office (Palin, Huckabee, Bush Jr) with the goal in mind of a theocratic government.
Palin's speech on Friday sounded like the incoherent ramblings of a meth tweeker:
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TJX310iGR8
Posted by: Mullah Limbaugh - Leader of the Greedy Oil Party | July 6, 2009 5:53 PM
She figures, kid doesn't need a helmet, because he's only a prop, and, 'sides,
what further damage cd. be done?
Posted by: Milton Friedman | July 7, 2009 1:41 AM
bubba Porter,
Your rant is full of falsehoods and misinformation. For starters, Larry Summers left the presidency of Harvard in 2006, well before the incompetencies of the Bush administration came home to roost in the market crash.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | July 7, 2009 7:41 AM
I thought the Dems would be happy with the news that Palin is stepping down. I don't know why the Dems are concerned with the goings on in the GOP at all - why you guys so concerned? You guys won, relax, enjoy your majority and enjoy your hope and change. Hey we're down the tubes according to you guys so why all the worry about what one little gal from Alaska and what her plans are? Celebrate, Al Franken made it - you own the Congress. You get what you've always wanted and your still bitchin.
Posted by: vla | July 6, 2009 1:41 PM
.
For the same reason that many conservatives are able to claim that there is no hate within them for the left, that they simply are "amused" by the left, via, let me assure you we're not "concerned" in the least with the goings on in the GOP. It simply "amuses" us to watch you guys do and say the absolutely most RIDICULOUS and (for whatever reason you've decided to do them) the most self-destructive things. You're better than a Three Stooges marathon!
.
Hey -- whatever you dolts on the right want to do TO YOURSELVES, by all means HAVE AT IT. We got popcorn, we got recliners and you're certainly cheaper than cable TV. What's it gonna be? You want to jump up and down and wave some teabags and try to tell folks it's a heroic stand for your rights? You want to go around trying to rewrite the facts thinking nobody's going to catch on to you? Somebody else in your ranks going to jump ship and rat on the drowning folks left on board? Go ahead -- entertain us.
Posted by: Op109 | July 7, 2009 7:54 AM