On May 12, 2005, at 10:33 PM, Nick Arnett wrote:
I'm not sure if it was clear that they were the largest group in the
telephone poll (unless I misunderstood). They may also have been the
largest in the Internet group as well, but that's not the point.
Perhaps I can clear this up. From the report, page 4:
At the other end of the political spectrum, Liberals have swelled
to become the largest voting bloc in the typology. Liberals are
opponents of an assertive foreign policy, strong supporters of
environmental protection, and solid backers of government assistance
to the poor.
Page 64:
Results for the main Political Typology Survey are based on
telephone interviews conducted under the direction of Princeton
Survey Research Associates International among a nationwide sample
of 2,000 adults, 18 years of age or older, during the period Dec.
1-16, 2004.
Liberals are the largest group *in the telephone poll results*, making
up about 17% of the general public and 19% of registered voters (stats
from table, page 5).
The internet poll is like any personality quiz: more of a curiosity than
anything else. I believe that the percentages on the "You are a ..."
results are from the main report, based on the telephone poll.
The fact that the Liberals are the largest group does not indicate
they are considered mainstream.
If being the largest group doesn't make one mainstream, what does?
Agreeing with the person who is speaking, I think. Anything else puts
you way out on the fringe. That, I think, would explain why certain
list members consistently write off certain other members' messages
as liberal nonsense or typical progressive claptrap.
I believe that in polls, a majority of Christians self-identify as
liberal or progressive, though you'd never think that from the news.
From the report, page 39, "Views of ‘Christian Conservative’ Movement":
Despite ... the predominance of the Christian tradition among
personal religious choices, public opinion is divided regarding the
Christian conservative movement. About four-in-ten (41%) have a
favorable view of the movement, while 34% have an unfavorable view.
Republicans are strongly favorable (61% vs. 16% unfavorable), while
opinion among Democrats tilts negative (35% vs. 45%).
The Democratic groups are divided in their views of the Christian
conservative movement, with Conservative Democrats favorably
disposed (53% positive, 18% negative), and Liberals sharply negative
(78% unfavorable – of those, 46% very unfavorable).
On the other hand, the real majority doesn't fit into these silly
ideological labels.
From Zogby:
'... 42 percent of voters cited the war in Iraq as the "moral issue"
that most influenced their choice of candidates, while 13 percent cited
abortion and 9 percent same-sex marriage. Asked to name the greatest
threat to marriage, 31 percent said "infidelity," 25 percent cited
"rising financial burdens" and 22 percent named same-sex marriage.'
Are those liberal or conversative opinions? Or sumpin' else?
The report suggests that they are issues that both correlate to (Iraq,
military intervention) and divide (abortion, homosexuality, financial
stress) party-affiliated groups. In other words, sumpin' else.
I was disappointed at how much the report was organized along party
lines, despite its title. Regardless of how much we would like to see
there be more resolution in the political world than red vs. blue,
those do end up being the choices we're offered on election day.
Dave
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