Just eight months after the election of Barack Obama, the latest poll from Gallup shows that Americans claim - by two to one - that they are getting more conservative. Which really has to make you wonder, "where were these people on Election Day?"
From the poll [2]:
PRINCETON, NJ -- Despite the results of the 2008 presidential election, Americans, by a 2-to-1 margin, say their political views in recent years have become more conservative rather than more liberal, 39% to 18%, with 42% saying they have not changed. While independents and Democrats most often say their views haven't changed, more members of all three major partisan groups indicate that their views have shifted to the right rather than to the left.
And did you catch that last sentence at the top? "... more members of all three major partisan groups indicate that their views have shifted to the right rather than to the left".
Which makes one wonder about the major elements of Obama's agenda...and probably explains why he's moving so fast.
It probably explains why his plan for a government takeover of healthcare is losing momentum...and why an increasing number of Democrats in Congress are opposed to the idea.
It also might be related to some numbers we've seen in other recent polls. Such as the one showing Obama's favorable numbers are now below 50% in the swing state of Ohio [3]for the first time. And over 60% of Americans say they are against a second stimulus [4], about which Obama and high ranking Democrats have been dropping hints for the last few weeks.
Even more interesting is when Gallup breaks down the answer to the question based on whether the person identified themselves as a "conservative", "moderate" or "liberal". Take a look at this:
So even the liberals are getting more conservative? Must have something to do with getting older and paying taxes. Or the prospect of paying off all that debt Obama wants to lay off on them and their children.
Which brings to mind the joke that says the definition of a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged by reality. Considering how much more "reality" we have coming our way, I'd say we can probably look to see the "more conservative" trend continue.
