Happy Days for the GOP

The Pew political survey results published today suggest that President Bush is now popular among swing voters and even some Democrats. The Republican Party is supported by the strong majority of independent voters including the well-educated and optimistic as well as those at the other end of the economic spectrum.

"The common threads among independent voters are a highly favorable opinion of President Bush personally and support for an aggressive military stance against potential enemies of the US"

Republicans are more optimistic and believe in the power of the individual, regardless of income, while Democrats have much more negative attitudes about the future. Even among the poor, the two parties have strikingly different outlooks on their lives and possibilities. Republicans are optimistic and positive; Democrats are pessimistic and cynical.

The Republican coalition share several traits; they are conservative, patriotic and religious.

The Democratic coalition is dominated by Liberals who are secular, strongly opposed to the Iraq war, strongly in favor of gay rights, and opposed to the public display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings.