General Discussion

pampango

(24,692 posts) Mon Oct 12, 2015, 03:14 PM Oct 2015

Pew poll: 5 Things about Democrats - #1: They've become more liberal.

The share of Democrats who describe their political views as liberal has increased over the past 15 years. In surveys conducted this year, 41% of Democrats describe themselves as liberal, 35% say they are moderates and 21% say they’re conservative. In 2000, 43% were moderate, 27% liberal and 24% conservative.

2: Democrats have remained very loyal to President Barack Obama

In our September poll, Obama’s overall job rating is 46%, but Democrats are overwhelmingly supportive of the president. Fully 83% of Democrats approve of the way Obama is handling his job, compared with 43% of independents and just 9% of Republicans.

At a comparable point in his presidency, George W. Bush had a lower overall job rating (31%) and lower rating among his own party (66%) than Obama does today.

3. Democratic voters want the next president to continue Obama’s policies

In our most recent survey, 61% of possible Democratic primary voters said they would be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who offers programs similar to the Obama administration, and 60% said they would be more likely to back a candidate who will compromise with Republicans. Smaller percentages expressed positive views about a candidate who wants to cut the size of big banks (48%), expand trade agreements (45%) or back the nuclear agreement with Iran (41%).

4. Democratic voters are ideologically divided over going after big banks

For the most part, Democrats are less ideologically divided than Republicans in their views of possible candidate positions. But among possible Democratic primary voters who are liberal, 60% say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who wants to reduce the size of large banks and financial institutions; just 38% of moderate and conservative Democratic voters say the same. But comparable percentages of liberals (44%) and conservatives and moderates (45%) say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who wants to expand trade agreements. Hillary Clinton recently announced she does not support the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade pact negotiated by the Obama administration with a dozen Pacific nations. Clinton’s main rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, also opposes the TPP.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/10/12/5-facts-about-democrats/

7 replies

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Highlight:

Pew poll: 5 Things about Democrats - #1: They've become more liberal. (Original Post) pampango Oct 2015 OP

From the percentages on issues, they don't look more liberal. BillZBubb Oct 2015 #1

Liberal Democrats back the Iran deal 53-17. It the cons-mod Dems who oppose it 37-31. pampango Oct 2015 #2

If there are fewer "conservative" Democrats TexasBushwhacker Oct 2015 #3

#1 seems obvious and the byproduct Kang Colby Oct 2015 #4

Baloney! BillZBubb Oct 2015 #5

That's just my opinion. Kang Colby Oct 2015 #6

Why don't you back your opinion with some facts? BillZBubb Oct 2015 #7

BillZBubb

(10,650 posts)

1. From the percentages on issues, they don't look more liberal.

Reply to pampango (Original post)

Mon Oct 12, 2015, 04:47 PM

Oct 2015

Big numbers want to compromise with republicans. That's insane. The republicans never compromise. Obama tried that and got nowhere.

Large numbers oppose the Iran deal. Large numbers don't want to limit the banks.

That's hardly liberal. It is actually frightening that so many in the party take right wing positions.

pampango

(24,692 posts)

2. Liberal Democrats back the Iran deal 53-17. It the cons-mod Dems who oppose it 37-31.

Reply to BillZBubb (Reply #1)

Mon Oct 12, 2015, 05:38 PM

Oct 2015

And Democrats have for years shown a much greater willingness to compromise than republicans do. I'm not sure why unless you give them credit for believing that some degree of compromise is essential in governing a democracy. Republicans don't seem much interested in governing.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,205 posts)

3. If there are fewer "conservative" Democrats

Reply to pampango (Original post)

Mon Oct 12, 2015, 06:01 PM

Oct 2015

it's because they've become Republicans! I really don't think the liberals have become more liberal, although I know the people trapped in the Tea Party bubble like to think so.

Kang Colby

(1,941 posts)

4. #1 seems obvious and the byproduct

Reply to pampango (Original post)

Mon Oct 12, 2015, 06:10 PM

Oct 2015

of massive political polarization in this country after the 2000 election. Instead of focusing on the middle ground, politicians seem to have made an effort to drag the country to both extremes which is a counterintuitive strategy for winning elections, but some groups have found success particularly on the right.

BillZBubb

(10,650 posts)

5. Baloney!

Reply to Kang Colby (Reply #4)

Mon Oct 12, 2015, 11:30 PM

Oct 2015

The Democrats haven't attempted to drag the country to any "extremes". That's a flat out right wing talking point.

The Democrats, at the most, have tried to move the country back to the 1940's-1950's center.

Kang Colby

(1,941 posts)

6. That's just my opinion.

Reply to BillZBubb (Reply #5)

Mon Oct 12, 2015, 11:43 PM

Oct 2015

And I don't consider it a right wing talking point. Notice how I pointed out that the Republicans have found success with this tactic. But I do believe some members of our party practice this strategy. Usually with varying degrees of success but especially during primary races.

Your post is an example of the tactic in action. Anything you disagree with is a "right wing talking point". Think about how that technique works for a second and get back to me. Essentially you are implying that the other side is so awful, a particular idea deemed heinous in a subjective manner can only have originated from the "other side". This is how moderate voices are shuttered in both parties, because why would someone want to be associated with the other side that is so awful? Being in the center makes you closer to the other side, the awful side .

Thanks

BillZBubb

(10,650 posts)

7. Why don't you back your opinion with some facts?

Reply to Kang Colby (Reply #6)

Tue Oct 13, 2015, 10:32 AM

Oct 2015

Give some examples of where the Democratic party has tried to move the country to an extreme position. I can give you many where the republicans are doing just that.

You try to push the false equivalency that both parties are moving to extremes. It just isn't true. The republicans have moved to far right field. They are lost in Loonyville. Witness the behavior in the House of Representatives. Every bill that comes out of there is an extreme right wing act. Shutting down the government is viewed as an acceptable strategic move over just about any issue. Even a right wing leader like Boehner isn't right wing enough. That's the republican party of today.

The Democrats on the other hand remain a center-right party overall who's major policy moves are trying to return to the political center of the 1940's and 1950's.

So lets hear your view of the extremist Democratic position?

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