A Problem for the Democrats and GOP

[Foxfyre]

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, the revealed demographics may not bode entirely well for ANY of the candidates currently running. It seems we Americans are so socioeconomically and politically diverse, that no candidate can get high approval ratings right across the board. Consider:

24% Are Both Fiscal and Socially Conservatives, 9% Fiscally and Socially Liberal
Saturday, November 24, 2007

Forty-one percent (41%) of American voters say they are conservative when it comes to “fiscal issues such as taxes, government spending, and business regulation.” A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 43% consider themselves fiscally moderate and 12% say liberal.

At the same time, 37% say they are conservative when it comes to “social issues like abortion, public prayer, and church-state topics.” On such social issues, 30% say they are moderate while 30% say liberal.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Republicans consider themselves fiscal conservatives. Fifty percent (50%) of Democrats and 49% of those not affiliated with either major party consider themselves fiscal moderates.

On social issues, 61% of Republicans say they are conservative. Forty-three percent (43%) of Democrats say they are liberal . Those not affiliated with either major party find themselves evenly divided—30% social conservatives, 35% social moderates, and 33% social liberals.

Combining the two categories yields an interesting portrait of the electorate. The largest segment of the population—24%--consider themselves to be both fiscally and socially conservative. Seventeen percent (17%) say they are both fiscally and socially moderate.

Fourteen percent (14%) are fiscally moderate and socially liberal. Eleven percent (11%) are fiscally moderate and socially conservative. Ten percent (10%) are fiscally conservative and socially moderate. Nine percent (9%) are both fiscally and socially liberal. Six percent (6%) are fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

Among Republicans, 47% are both fiscally and socially conservative.

Democrats have no such dominant base. Twenty percent (20%) are fiscally moderate but liberal on the social issues. Nineteen percent (19%) of Democrats consider themselves moderate on both fiscal and social issues. Sixteen percent (16%) of Nancy Pelosi’s party say they are liberal on both fiscal and social issues.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...conservatives_9_fiscally_and_socially_liberal

And here is one of those on-line 'pick your candidate' quizzes:
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

On the first run through, I showed Fred Thompson tied with Duncan Hunter as the most compatible candidate(s) for me, but they scored well under 50%. I'm thinking this election is still wide open.

 

[Toro]

That's why national candidates gravitate to the center.

 

[Foxfyre]

That's why national candidates gravitate to the center.

And perhaps it is why lately we don't quite get what we expected when we elect somebody?