Posted on 05/10/2005 2:42:01 PM PDT by Wormwood
Political observers divided America into red and blue states for the 2004 election. But a new study fine-tunes political groups into more specific categories, including "pro-government conservatives," "disadvantaged Democrats" and "bystanders."
Robert Siegel talks to Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press about the center's latest political typography -- the fourth such demographic snapshot since 1987.
"On the Republican side, we have more groups holding values that are on the right," Kohut says, adding that the emergence of pro-government Republicans as a group "is the big news" this time around.
"The other big differences are the ways in which the middle now tilts to the right," he says. Disparate categories in the center are looking more favorably on President Bush and the GOP than the Democratic Party. "We've never had that before," Kohut says. "The center has been a little bit Democratic, a little bit Republican in terms of values."
[Excerpted]
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
Careful, the bias is not in the questions, but in the conclusions the clowns at Pew draw from them.
If it is on NPR and done by Pew, then it must be true.
What a crock of BS!
That's right: aside from the newspaper I read every day, the 4 hours of news and political talk I hear every day, and the many hours I spend on Free Republic...apparently I really don't care about politics as much as the engaged, politically savvy liberals.
Nice work, Pew.
I took it and I'm Howard Dean's cousin.
I thought they were talking about Church and the gang at www.redvsblue.com
This is just an effort to balkanize the conservatives into small managable groups.
Remember the democrat party is the consensus party with disperate little groups with pet issues. The environ wackos, the homosexuals, the abortionists, the feminists, the race baiters, the commie elite class etc.
Just divide and conquer. This is just a pathetic effort to keep people from saying "conservative" but rather "X" conservative or that "subgroup".
Learn About Other
Typology Groups
Enterprisers
Social Conservatives
Pro-Government Conservatives
Upbeats
Disaffecteds
Conservative Democrats
Disadvantaged Democrats
Liberals
Bystanders
See what others like you think...
Enterpriser
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Enterpriser typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.
Enterprisers represent 9 percent of the American public, and 10 percent of registered voters.
Basic Description
As in previous studies conducted in 1987, 1994 and 1999, this extremely partisan Republican group’s politics are driven by a belief in the free enterprise system and social values that reflect a conservative agenda. Enterprisers are also the strongest backers of an assertive foreign policy, which includes nearly unanimous support for the war in Iraq and strong support for such anti-terrorism efforts as the Patriot Act.
Defining Values
Assertive on foreign policy and patriotic; anti-regulation and pro-business; very little support for government help to the poor; strong belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being. Conservative on social issues such as gay marriage, but not much more religious than the nation as a whole. Very satisfied with personal financial situation.
Who They Are
Predominantly white (91%), male (76%) and financially well-off (62% have household incomes of at least $50,000, compared with 40% nationwide). Nearly half (46%) have a college degree, and 77% are married. Nearly a quarter (23%) are themselves military veterans. Only 10% are under age 30.
Lifestyle Notes
59% report having a gun in their homes; 53% trade stocks and bonds in the stock market, and 30% are small business owners – all of which are the highest percentages among typology groups. 48% attend church weekly; 36% attend bible study or prayer group meetings.
2004 Election
Bush 92%, Kerry 1%. Bush’s most reliable supporters (just 4% of Enterprisers did not vote)
Party ID
81% Republican, 18% Independent/No Preference, 1% Democrat (98% Rep/LeanRep)
Media Use
Enterprisers follow news about government and politics more closely than any other group, and exhibit the most knowledge about world affairs. The Fox News Channel is their primary source of news (46% cite it as a main source) followed by newspapers (42%) radio (31%) and the internet (26%).
Note: All descriptions and percentages are based on the national sample of adults surveyed by telephone in December. Based on your answers to the survey questions, you most closely resemble survey respondents within this group, even though you may differ significantly on one or more issues or traits.
In the overall typology there is a ninth group called “Bystanders” who are defined as adults who are not registered, who do not follow news about government and public affairs, and who say they rarely or never vote.
"Pro-Government Conservatives: Also broadly religious, but deviate from the party line in their support for more generous assistance for the poor. Predominantly female and poorer than other GOP groups -- roughly two-thirds say they have problems making ends meet."
OK, all you Pro-Government Conservatives, raise your hands!
Hmph. Typical liberal labeling, typical attitude that people can't think for themselves. I don't fit into any of their categories.
I'm an enterpriser.
Social Conservative, here. No surprise. And yes, I AM as uncaring, prejudiced and close-minded as Pew makes me sound. *Rolleyes*
One of three core Republican groups, Social Conservatives (along with Pro-Government Conservatives) are somewhat more religious than are Enterprisers. They are supportive of an assertive foreign policy and very conservative on social and cultural issues. In policy terms, they break from the Enterprisers in their cynical views of business, modest support for environmental and other regulation, and strong anti-immigrant sentiment.
Defining Values
Conservative on social issues ranging from gay marriage to abortion. Support an assertive foreign policy and oppose government aid for the needy, believing people need to make it on their own. Strongly worried about impact of immigrants on American society. More middle-of-the-road on economic and domestic policies, expressing some skepticism about business power and profits, and some support for government regulation to protect the environment. While not significantly better-off than the rest of the nation, most express strong feelings of financial satisfaction and security.
Who They Are
Predominantly white (91%), female (58%) and the oldest of all groups (average age is 52; 47% are 50 or older); nearly half live in the South. Most (53%) attend church weekly; 43% are white evangelical Protestants (double the national average of 21%).
"LIFESTYLE NOTES: Largest group to have been born (or whose parents were born) outside of the U.S. or Canada (20%). "
This should come as absolutely no surprise to anybody born in a "liberal" area. In many cases liberals are folks who have not assimilated into this society. They remain Teddy Roosevelt's hyphenated Americans...which he called (correctly in my opinion) not real Americans at all. Either that or they are like Udall's son who flies the UN flag outside his home in Arizona.
I'd say it's a load...
Wow! I've yet to meet one of these. Could there be such a thing? Are Unicorns for real?
Enterpriser. Waiting for my tricorder and phaser to be issued to me...
I turn out to be an Enterpriser... :) big surprise there ... not.
oh, and to answer your statement ... I'd call G W Bush a pro government conservative.... He certainly is no Reagan Conservative.
I took it and was classified as an entepriser.
The questions are pretty funky.
Enterpriser, even when I went back to change all my votes on foreign policy.
Where do you suppose a "neo-con" would be? Nowhere, because they don't really exist in any meaningful numbers.
Another Enterpriser here
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