News Flash: Don’t Blame the Religious Right for Bush

Contrary to what the keyboard pounding pundits have been bleating at the top of their lungs since last November, a new Pew Research Center Survey shows that the Religious Right cannot be blamed for Bush’s re-election. It also punches holes in the meowing pessimist’s pet theory that the Democratic Party is losing support. Sorry Mr. Rove, but for all your work these last five years, the study found that "GOP-oriented groups, when taken together, account for only 29% of the public", whereas "Democratic groups constitute 41% of the public".

And here’s another warning for Mr. Rove and his Neo-Con comrades: Your base is shifting, and it doesn’t share your values. In fact, only 11% of registered voters shares your big business, socially-conservative values; another 13% share your desire to turn America into a "democratic" theocracy (if there is such a thing). The fastest growing segment of the GOP are not wealthy business people, but poorer Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, but who also believe they’ll make it, financially, in the end.

But these Americans are far more divided on issues than Mr. Rove’s base. And though they voted for President Bush, their views on many issues are very different. For instance:

These Republicans are very cynical about corporate America, and Wall Street. They like government programs that give people a "hand up". In fact, 80% of them said more should be done to help the needy. (Compared to only 18% of Rove’s supporters.) At the same time, they detest programs that create dependence on tax payer dollars and government programs.

These are the new conservatives who are bringing the old Goldwater conservative values back to the Republican party. And just who are these people? They are the fasted growing segment of the American population (thanks in large part to Bush and Rove’s big-business conservatism). They are the working poor, over half of whom are single moms with children, many of whom call an older RV home.

So look out comrade Rove. Between these new conservatives and the optimistic independents — the ones who really handed your party its victory in November — you could end up winning the battle of the last election, but losing the war of dominance for the GOP.

Quote of the Day: "Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will." —Jawaharlal Nehru
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