The Gravis Poll Internals
Some interesting tidbits:
This was quite surprising, and it goes against the trend in other states this primary season where we have seen the actual voters that turnout describe themselves as liberal or very liberal. In Delaware, being a moderate still has some cache. Now, you have to wonder how many of these moderates are the old Republicans who bolted their party in 2008 to vote for Markell over Carney. And I wish we knew the Presidential preference of these moderates, but the poll is not broken down that far. Liberal and Slightly Liberal (whatever that means, the terminology should be Liberal or Very Liberal) do constitute a majority of 50%.
65% of Delaware’s Republicans are conservative or slightly conservative. What is surprising is that there are still a sizeable amount of moderates still in the GOP, 28%.
This is where the poll might deviate from the state wide demographics. 5% African Americans? The 2010 Census has the state population at 21% AA. The Hispanic/Latino population is 8%, not 2. In 2008, 28% of the Democratic voters were African American. Sure, that turnout is amplified due to Barack Obama, but it’s not going to fall down to 5%. It’s not going to fall below 20%.
Self-identification is interesting but I think the common understanding of what a liberal or a conservative is has been corrupted. I’d like to see a poll on a basket of twenty or so issues that would more accurately identify where you stand politically.
I think what people need to understand is that this state is bigger than your circle of friends. This is still a moderate state. No matter what the registration says.
What about what the past 10 years of statewide elections have said?
also, your handle is unoriginal and middle-school level humor at best.
Dixon, I will grant you that this is not a progressive state. But it is not a conservative one either. You have no evidence to back up your wild claim. A Republican, yet alone a conservative, has not been elected Governor since 1988. 1988.
No, this is a mostly moderate state, but a socially liberal one. It does not take kindly to religious fundamentalism or social conservatism, which is why no Republican has won Delaware since 1988.
“No, this is a mostly moderate state, but a socially liberal one. It does not take kindly to religious fundamentalism or social conservatism, which is why no Republican has won Delaware since 1988.”
In other words, only social issues distinguish whether a party is conservative or liberal. Economic policies don’t figure into the equation at all. That many Republicans registered as Democrats to vote for Markell for his primary and in his first general election are not evidence that Democratic politicians are economically indistinguishable from Republicans. That evidence can be blithely ignored as insignificant. As far as economics are concerned, Democrats can surrender to economically moderate Republicans on economics and still claim to be vastly different.
Look at the self identification, overlay that over Carper and Carney and you see why DL and the Delaware voting public differ wildly in their preferences.