I have started hearing an old familiar phrase on the campaign trail: “I’m a conservative Republican” (emphasis on the ‘conservative). The label “Republican” is polling about as low as it’s ever polled, but its part-time synonym — “conservative” — is the most popular ideological label in american politics.
A Gallup poll found that the number of Americans defining themselves as conservative is at its highest point in 20 years, at 40 percent. That compared to 35 percent saying they are moderate and 21 percent saying they are liberal.
The results track closely with another Gallup poll, from May, which found more Americans defining themselves as “pro-life” than “pro-choice” for the first time since it began asking the question in 1995. And it wasn’t even close — 51 percent to 42.
Is it possible to be a conservative again? I am not sure. Will this trend favor the Republican Party? Not yet. Republicans have not finished paying the price for their lack of fiscal discipline and leadership. The folks in today’s tea party movement are a testiment to the large numbers of conservatives out there who say they are done with the GOP. These folks simply don’t believe in the Republican brand, because in the past what Republicans have said they stand for has not been matched by what they have done while governing in the majority.
It’s time for the Republican party and its candidates to start acting like conservatives and not just telling us they are conservatives. Voters crave the real deal.
Are you sure some of your endorsed advertised candidates fit the conservative principles or expressed tenets on this blog? I’m especially concerned about the family values and sanctity of life issues. Steve Poizer and Carly Fiorina are liberal on those issues! I have voter remorse for voting in RINO Arnold…
Anthony, Aaron and I share your concern. In the Governors race we are left with no viable options that support the sanctity of life. In this case we endeavor to support the most conservative candidate that can win in the general election against the Democrat. The recent election in Massachusetts had a similar dilemma for conservatives: no prolife candidates to choose from. I am thankful that Scott Brown won, because he will be much better than the Democrat alternative. If I lived in Massachusetts, I would have proudly voted for Scott Brown. Our site is a work in progress and we will be rearranging our links over the next few weeks. Thanks for commenting on our blog, hope that you come back to comment again soon.