Conservatives Finish 2009 as No. 1 Ideological Group

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

PRINCETON, NJ -- The increased conservatism that Gallup first identified among Americans last June persisted throughout the year, so that the final year-end political ideology figures confirm Gallup's initial reporting: conservatives (40%) outnumbered both moderates (36%) and liberals (21%) across the nation in 2009.

More broadly, the percentage of Americans calling themselves either conservative or liberal has increased over the last decade, while the percentage of moderates has declined.

Republicans Become More Solidly "Conservative"

In addition to the very recent increase in conservatism among independents, a growing percentage of Republicans identified themselves as such starting in 2003. Across the same period, the percentage of Democrats calling themselves conservative dipped slightly, somewhat offsetting the increase among Republicans.

Democrats Grow Increasingly "Liberal"

Similar to the increased conservatism among Republicans, there was a gradual increase in the last decade in "liberal" identification among Democrats, from 29% in 2002 to 38% in 2007, and it has since remained at about that level.

Bottom Line

Political independents showed increased attachment to the "conservative" label in 2009, boosting the overall ranks of that group so that it now clearly outnumbers moderates in Gallup's annual averages for the first time since 2004. Longer term, the proportions of Americans calling themselves conservative as well as liberal expanded slightly this past decade, largely because of increased partisan attachment to each label. At the same time, the percentage of "moderates" has dwindled, underscoring the heightened polarization of American politics as the nation heads into a new decade.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/124958/Conserva...ical-Group.aspx

[Danno 1,228]

Oddly enough there exists a great void in political leaders to lead this movement.

I certainly hope the moderate GOP doesn't end up at the helm of this ship again, if so would be better than the DEMS, but not by much.

[웃 910]

Oddly enough there exists a great void in political leaders to lead this movement.

I certainly hope the moderate GOP doesn't end up at the helm of this ship again, if so would be better than the DEMS, but not by much.

Your sig is hilarious. I'll help spread the word...

[_Simpson_ 250]

Conservatives Finish 2009 as No. 1 Ideological Group, More independents calling themselves conservatives

Well finally people are starting to wake up, what a relief.

Your sig is hilarious. I'll help spread the word...

yes it is hilarious, have you ever seen a man that was so graceful when it came to speaking out his a5s. I hope finally people wake up and see that Obama is like all the others.

Edited January 8, 2010 by _Simpson_

[Danno 1,228]

Well finally people are starting to wake up, what a relief.

yes it is hilarious, have you ever seen a man that was so graceful when it came to speaking out his a5s. I hope finally people wake up and see that Obama is like all the others.

Let's just say,

"Mr. Smith goes to Washington" he's not.