LAT: Survey of Voters Maps Subtle Splits

Survey of Voters Maps Subtle Splits
A study finds that in spite of GOP gains, Republicans, Democrats and independents are divided over issues depending on their type.

By Janet Hook, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — The American political landscape has tilted decidedly toward Republicans since President Bush was first elected in 2000, but that may not result in the enduring political realignment he has sought, according to a major new study of public attitudes.

The national survey released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that Republicans had gained, in part, by winning increased support from the middle of the political spectrum — a part of the electorate less inclined toward the GOP in 1999, the last time the center conducted such a broad study.

Andrew Kohut, the nonpartisan research center's director, said the new finding was a testament to Bush's personal popularity among many voters — even as his job approval ratings had sunk below 50% — and to the strength of his leadership on national security issues. That, however, raises questions about whether Republican gains will outlast Bush's presidency — or fade if the public's focus shifts from foreign to domestic policy.

"The landscape coming out of the 2004 election favored Republicans, but there's no guarantee that Republicans have solidified their hold on things," Kohut said. "It isn't structural change."

What is more, he said, the survey found Republican-inclined voters were increasingly divided over domestic issues, such as the environment, as well as fundamental questions about the size and reach of government....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-voters11may11,0,4389007.story?coll=la-home-nation

Please he has been a disaster on National Security. Remember he planned and allowed 9/11. The only things keeping the NeoThugs in power are crooked elections, compliant Congress and the Corporate Controlled Propaganda machine.

on national security issues

that's been his biggest strength

But I'm beginning to mistrust them. I don't believe their numbers. If their numbers are true, then all the exit polls were wrong, looks like. On the face of it.

I leave the mathematical analysis to anyone who has time to do it. But I don't believe * won fair and square, and I believe many of those swing voters are already back. How could you want Social Security and your pension and still like *? Especially considering what is going on in Iraq.

Anyone who is young enough to be drafted, or has a child who will be old enough to be drafted, would certainly not be fond of this kind of approach to "security".

There is one thing that this poll demonstrates to us, no matter what: we need to find a way to get to at least some of those people that think Iraq was involved in 9/11, and that it is making us any safer.

which is before Bush's Social Security plan started plummeting in the polls. I agree that recent movement is toward the Dems.