<< Published: December 14, 2004 5:00 PM ET
NEW YORK Even as a new Gallup poll shows that the public values “values” less than November exit polls suggested, another survey from the same outfit released today showed a historic surge in Republican party affiliation.
In Gallup's latest poll this month, those identifying themselves as Republicans jumped to 37% of the public, with Democrats now clearly trailing with 32%.
Democrats have long held more party members than Republicans. During the Clinton years, the bulge was about 5% to 6%. As recently as late-October of this year the Democratic edge was 37% to 34%.
Gallup noted today: “Post-election shifts in partisanship after presidential elections or midterm congressional elections are not routine, but are also not uncommon.”
Another Gallup poll also released today showed that, contrary to many press reports, “values” ranked well behind the war in Iraq, terrorism and the economy as a prime concern of Americans.>>
This poll strikes me as being pretty unrealistic. Supposedly, in a little less than 2 months, including the election period, 5% of people who previously had identified themselves as Democratic, now no longer do so? That is many millions of folks. If that is true, the disaffection felt for Kerry and the rest of the left is truly huge, and bodes well (IMO) for the future. |
