Poll: Republicans happier than Democrats

The Seattle Times ^ | 10/25/08 | David Montgomery

[XR7]

WASHINGTON — The good news for Republicans: You are happier than Democrats. You always have been, and you probably always will be.

Never mind that your presidential candidate is sinking in the polls while your president plumbs historic depths of popular scorn and your free market squeals for intervention while your Wall Street investments evaporate. You are not just happier than the other guys, but more of you are very happy, according to new survey results published Thursday by the Pew Research Center.

The pollsters were in the field asking about happiness this month, when economic news was gloomy for everybody and presidential campaign news seemed especially baleful for Republicans. Yet they found 37 percent of Republicans are "very happy," compared with 25 percent of Democrats; 51 percent of Republicans and 52 percent of Democrats are "pretty happy"; and 9 percent of Republicans are "not too happy," compared with 20 percent of Democrats.

The partisan happiness gap — unbroken for nearly 40 years — is impervious to electoral ups and downs. It has something to do with worldview.

"I'm very happy," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, and a Republican. "When I was 12, I realized the world was not organized around my desires and wishes. The problem with guys on the left is they never figured that out at age 12. And they're just irritated the world is not organized around their vision. This makes them grumpy."

Chris Lehane doesn't sound grumpy. The Democratic consultant is on the phone from San Francisco: "My guess is if [Pew] checked the cross tabs out in California, we're all pretty happy out here. The wine is still good, the food is fresh, the people are beautiful."

But seriously, Lehane said, if Republicans are more happy, it's because...

[XR7]

Brooks said a lot hinges on the answer to this question: Do you believe hard work and perseverance can overcome disadvantages? Conservatives are more likely to say yes. Pew found that Democrats are more likely to say success in life is mostly determined by outside forces. Republicans lean toward thinking success is determined by one's efforts.

And, Obama believes both. So he's gonna take from those who believe their efforts determine their success, and give to those who believe in outside forces determining their success. Obama is gonna be their "outside force" - their good luck charm.

[nobama08]

I hope we are still happier Nov. 5.

[GitmoSailor]

Wonder Why??????............

[skeeter]

But seriously, Lehane said, if Republicans are more happy, it's because they care less. "The typical Republican is happy coming home to a 62-inch television, pulling out a fine bottle of cognac or scotch, putting his feet on the table and enjoying the fruits of his labor, but not caring what's going on in the world outside their living room ... and their gated community."

I'm happy because I don't covet my neighbors goods, Chris.

Try it sometimes.

[bravo whiskey]

guy A earns $100k. guy B earns $50k. someone doubles each one’s salary, nobody else just these 2. if guy A is a democratic and guy B is a republican, guy A is unhappy about the wealth difference and feels guilty but won't give it back. guy B thinks it's great.
if guy A is a republican and guy B is a democratic guy A is grateful and guy B is pissed because he didn't get as much as guy A and that isn't fair.
like all the people on “the oprah” who got new cars and then whined and complained about having to pay taxes on the income. liberals and democratics (they hate being called that) are the most ungrateful people in America.

[cdga5for4]

That’s why they hate Sarah so much, because she is happy, positive, and God-loving. Those that hate her are just pathetic in comparison.

[bravo whiskey]

guy A earns $100k. guy B earns $50k. someone doubles each one’s salary, nobody else just these 2. if guy A is a democratic and guy B is a republican, guy A is unhappy about the wealth difference and feels guilty but won't give it back. guy B thinks it's great.
if guy A is a republican and guy B is a democratic guy A is grateful and guy B is pissed because he didn't get as much as guy A and that isn't fair.
like all the people on “the oprah” who got new cars and then whined and complained about having to pay taxes on the income. liberals and democratics (they hate being called that) are the most ungrateful people in America.

[ConfidentConservative]

I would say being angry for the last 8 years plays a big toll on ones attitude toward life.
Once an emotion has become a habit for so long it is difficult to break.
When President Bush is out of Office. They will have to find a new source for their bitterness and anger to be fed.

[lowbridge]

[EGPWS]

The good news for Republicans: You are happier than Democrats. You always have been, and you probably always will be.

Well Duh!

Let me weigh this, DU or Free Republic.

Gosh, I guess we are!

Now let's see some news that isn't so obvious to so many : D

[EGPWS]

Wonder Why??????............

And to think that she can down and proceed to gut a moose to boot!

[NurdlyPeon]

Well, as a RAT acquaintance of mine one told me:

"Life is like a sewer; what you get out of it depends on what you put into it." (The power of positive thinking in action.)

[EGPWS]

"Life is like a sewer; what you get out of it depends on what you put into it." (The power of positive thinking in action.)

Some insist that the sewer is half empty while others appreciate being able to create sewage through self promotion. (the power of positive thinking)

[misharu]

And this coming from a woman: Good GOD she a SNAZZY dresser!!

Yup, all the people who have said a woman can't run for political office and win unless they are the saggy, dowdy, my-dog-dresses-better-than-they-do Democrat women. I would actually bring up Klintoons Sec'y of State or the woman with the cankles as a shining example of liberal women but I am really afraid someone would post a picture of them. I have a guest coming over tonight and I don't want to start drinking this early!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

["The typical Republican is happy coming home to a 62-inch television, pulling out a fine bottle of cognac or scotch, putting his feet on the table and enjoying the fruits of his labor..."]

Meanwhile, the typical unhappy Democrat sits on his ass hoping the government confiscates the Republican's hard earned wealth and "spreads it around"...to him.

[mc5cents]

I'm happy because I don't covet my neighbors goods, Chris.

Ditto. And I'm happy because I love God and I know he loves me. I'm not perfect but I know I am forgiven for my sins. I'm happy because I know Jesus and I know He knows me.

Pretty simple.

I actually feel sorry for democrat atheists. They are miserable because they reject God. They reject His laws and mercy. I really pray for a conversion of the democrat party back to God. They have truly lost their way.

[headstamp 2]

“The good news for Republicans: You are happier than Democrats. You always have been, and you probably always will be. “

When your entire existence is based on waiting for “someone or something else” to do things for and take care of you, you are bound to lead a miserable, unhappy life.

[Chode]

[skeeter]

I actually feel sorry for democrat atheists.

You're a better person than I. This is an area I need to work on.