There are new poll results out from Gallup about partisan identification, and it’s not good news for Republicans.
The decline in Republican Party affiliation among Americans in recent years is well documented, but a Gallup analysis now shows that this movement away from the GOP has occurred among nearly every major demographic subgroup. Since the first year of George W. Bush’s presidency in 2001, the Republican Party has maintained its support only among frequent churchgoers, with conservatives and senior citizens showing minimal decline.
Voter identification (with leaners) has changed from 45% (D), 44% (R) [33% (D), 34% (I), 32% (R)] in 2001 to 53% (D), 39% (R) [36% (D), 37% (I), 27% (R)] in 2009. That’s a stunning change. In fact, there are now very few Republican-leaning Independents, according to this survey. Republicans have lost with almost every group, they have lost the least ground with people who attend church weekly (no change), conservatives (-1%), 65+ years old (-1%) and nonwhite (-1%). Republicans have lost the most ground with college graduates (-10%), young people 18-29 (-9%) and moderates (-9%). These are not numbers of a growing party.
George W. Bush was a disaster for the country and it’s reflected in the party identification. Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and Dick Cheney are failing to persuade people to take a second look at the GOP. I don’t know how much more evidence that Republicans need that they’re heading in the wrong direction.