A new survey out indicates that Independent voters view things more like Republicans than Democrats these days. This is excellent news for a bruised GOP, searching for a way to come back (or to at least not lose any more seats in Congress).
For the past several days, a number of news agencies have reported that mood about the direction the county is heading in has improved. This is true. American are more optimistic than they were even six months ago. Fatigue with the Bush administration in addition to an accelerated economic recession made things look bleak. Now, under new leadership, Americans seem to be holding on to more hope that things are improving despite the fact that we are still in the middle of one of the worst economic crisis in decades.
But, a closer loo reveals that Democratic voters are driving this new found optimism, as a majority of Independents and Republicans believe that the US is still “off on the wrong track:”
> Would you say that America is headed in the right direction, or have things gotten off on the wrong track?
Right Direction: 40% (GOP: 13% | IND: 34% | DEM: 72%)
Wrong Track: 50% (GOP: 80% | IND: 52% | DEM: 22%)
This gives Republicans a perfect place to begin reaching out to Independents. Both groups are unhappy about the status quo, especially the push by Democrats and Obama to make government a large, deficit generating institution.
> Which of the following statements about the role of government comes closer to your view:
Government should do more to solve problems and help meet the needs of the people.
47% (GOP: 26% | IND: 40% | DEM: 72%)
Government is trying to do more things than it can do well, things that should be left to the private sector and individuals.
50% (GOP: 73% | IND: 55% | DEM: 24%)
> Which of the following statements about the role of government comes closer to your view:Government policies should promote fairness by narrowing the gap between rich and poor, spreading the wealth, and making sure that economic outcomes are more equal.
31% (GOP: 20% | IND: 28% | DEM: 44%)
Government policies should promote opportunities by fostering job growth, encouraging entrepeneurs, and allowing people to keep more of what they earn.
63% (GOP: 78% | IND: 65% | DEM: 48%)
Clearly, Independents – like Republicans – believe that the role of government is to promote opportunity and that current action by the Democratic Congress and the administration has likely been too much. In fact, 70% of Independents say they “prefer a smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes.”
So, if Independents view things similarly to Republicans then why did we lose the White House and dozens of Congressional seats in the past four year?
Generally speaking, the reason we lost in 2006 and 2008 is because we failed to communicate effectively to Independents that we see things the way they do. We have also been so caught up in pushing social conservative themes (not that they are wrong – see my post about that here) that Independent voters failed to realize that the Republican party is also the party of smaller government and free markets. They know that we are the pro-life, pro-traditional marriage family. We have to connect with them about issues they care about: economy, taxes, role and size of government, health care, etc. Our loses among this critically important bloc is due more to a lack of targeted, effective communication than anything else.
The good news is that 2010 is looking much better for Republicans than either 2006 or 2008.
2010 Looking Better For GOP, as Independents Lean Right
Posted by Tyler Harber on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at 9:57 AM
A new survey out indicates that Independent voters view things more like Republicans than Democrats these days. This is excellent news for a bruised GOP, searching for a way to come back (or to at least not lose any more seats in Congress).
For the past several days, a number of news agencies have reported that mood about the direction the county is heading in has improved. This is true. American are more optimistic than they were even six months ago. Fatigue with the Bush administration in addition to an accelerated economic recession made things look bleak. Now, under new leadership, Americans seem to be holding on to more hope that things are improving despite the fact that we are still in the middle of one of the worst economic crisis in decades.
But, a closer loo reveals that Democratic voters are driving this new found optimism, as a majority of Independents and Republicans believe that the US is still “off on the wrong track:”
This gives Republicans a perfect place to begin reaching out to Independents. Both groups are unhappy about the status quo, especially the push by Democrats and Obama to make government a large, deficit generating institution.
Clearly, Independents – like Republicans – believe that the role of government is to promote opportunity and that current action by the Democratic Congress and the administration has likely been too much. In fact, 70% of Independents say they “prefer a smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes.”
So, if Independents view things similarly to Republicans then why did we lose the White House and dozens of Congressional seats in the past four year?
Generally speaking, the reason we lost in 2006 and 2008 is because we failed to communicate effectively to Independents that we see things the way they do. We have also been so caught up in pushing social conservative themes (not that they are wrong – see my post about that here) that Independent voters failed to realize that the Republican party is also the party of smaller government and free markets. They know that we are the pro-life, pro-traditional marriage family. We have to connect with them about issues they care about: economy, taxes, role and size of government, health care, etc. Our loses among this critically important bloc is due more to a lack of targeted, effective communication than anything else.
The good news is that 2010 is looking much better for Republicans than either 2006 or 2008.