[neverdem]

I didn't catch anything about gun control or abortion. Here's the actual report. Beyond Red vs. Blue

[Syco]

This is pretty Reaganesque. If you're optimistic and forward thinking you vote GOP. If you're a pessimist who thinks that the country's best days are behind us, you tend to vote Democrat. Being as Americans are a generally positive bunch, the GOP is now gaining.

[dirtboy]

Foreign policy issues now provide the clearest distinction between Republican- and Democratic-leaning voters, with Republicans favoring assertive policies and military action and Democrats calling for diplomacy and multilateral strategies. Before the Sept. 11 attacks, foreign policy differences played a minimal role in distinguishing the party coalitions.

Come 2006 and 2008, unless there is another major terror attack, IMO illegal immigration, outsourcing and the importation of workers from other countries will become the flash issues.

And, if the terror attack comes from thugs sneaking over the border, that will be doubly so.

I see the existing political alignments going through enormous upheavals over the next three to seven years. The question is, if the GOP continues to ignore its base over immigration, will a third party emerge - and will that emerging third party become a player or just a spoiler?

[Josh in PA]

Ummm.. Somebody better tell the W.Post the political landscape was re-drawn well before 9/11.

These people are living in a fantasy world.

[dead]

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, helped redraw the political landscape in America, giving President Bush and the Republicans an advantage over the Democrats

In the goofy spooky world of DU, this qualifies as rock solid proof that Bush and his minions planned and orchestrated the attacks of 9/11.

The relatively more rational voices over there don’t believe that is likely. They believe the BFEE (Bush Family Evil Empire) simply knew the attacks were about to happen and allowed them for the political advantage.

These are the things they debate over there.

[kpp_kpp]

>
> But Republicans may have difficulty consolidating the gains
> because of divisions within their expanded coalition.
>

if a Republican President and Republican Senate cannot get a few conservative judges appointed there won't be any need to consolidate the gains. it's not like they are for smaller government or reduced spending and if they can't get a few judges appointed what's the difference?

[Jaysun]

I was wondering what the "obstacle" was. The report says that opinions on the role of government are now among the most divisive for the GOP. They describe the "Pro-Government Conservatives" here:

"Pro-Government Conservatives also are broadly religious and socially conservative, but they deviate from the party line in their backing for government involvement in a wide range of policy areas, such as government regulation and more generous assistance to the poor. This relatively young, predominantly female group is under substantial financial pressure, but most feel it is within their power to get ahead. This group also is highly concentrated in the South, and, of the three core Republican groups, had the lowest turnout in the 2004 election."

I don't see the problem here. Some young dingbats haven't sorted this out yet, they're in the South (GOP stronghold), and few of them show up to vote.

[clarissaexplainsitall]

"One other important difference defines the Democratic- and Republican-leaning voters. Those who tilt to the GOP are more personally optimistic and believe in the power of the individual, regardless of income, while those inclined toward the Democrats are more negative or even fatalistic in their attitudes about the future."

This is true and I don't need a study to tell it to me.

[CasearianDaoist]

This study is one more exacmple of leftist self delusion.

I beleive that they have start with a premise and then went out shopping for an answer. Their choice of topology supports this.

[syriacus]

Bush's personal appeal ... helping the GOP put together a winning coalition of voters in 2004.

Bush has a "winning" personality.

[marblehead17]

ping

[Betaille]

Excellent study, but I take issue with being called a "pro-government conservative". They need to elaborate what they mean by that. I fit into that demographic group but am anything but pro-government.

[madprof98]

I'm sorry the ending of that one sentence had to be cut:

. . . while those inclined toward the Democrats are more negative or even fatalistic in their attitudes about the future.

That's the Democrats, right there.