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This analysis of conservative RW focus groups' responses draws the clearest portrait of the current makeup of the right wing that I've ever seen. It's in two parts: their objections to Obama (interestingly, race is not an issue) and their sense of shared identity. The survey strongly indicates that the Republican Party as we've known it is in big trouble -- "weak, old, and out of touch."
About Obama, four common "pillars" emerge:
Pillar #1 – Deception and a Hidden Agenda
Pillar #2 – Speed ("Obama is pushing his agenda at record pace because he does not want the American people to know what he is doing")
Pillar #3 – Driving Government to the Brink and Total Control
Pillar #4 – The Ultimate Goal: Socialism and End to Liberties
The sense of shared identity is apparent: these conservatives see themselves as an oppressed minority, whose news sources understand what's really going on ("Their antipathy and distrust toward the mainstream media could not be stronger, and they fiercely defend FOX as the only truly objective news outlet"). But most important, "They see a nascent movement building, still not fully realized or activated but with a growing number of people watching and listening, growing increasingly frustrated, and looking for ways to stop the growing threat they perceive."
This is an analysis of survey results, with many quotes from the survey takers; it does not opine or argue. If you describe yourself as conservative/independent, do you see yourself here?
Democracy Corps » The Very Separate World of Conservative Republicans (http://www.democracycorps.com/focus/2009/10/the-very-separate-world-of-conservative-republicans/?section=Analysis - broken link)
This survey is hugely enlightening and I think it's as accurate as surveys can get, dont dismiss it. For instance, Obama's race is not important, it turns out. In fact that's the only place where the analysis does opine. "Instead of focusing on these intense ideological divisions, the press and elites continue to look for a racial element that drives these voters’ beliefs – but they need to get over it. Conducted on the heels of Joe Wilson’s incendiary comments at the president’s joint session address, we gave these groups of older, white Republican base voters in Georgia full opportunity to bring race into their discussion – but it did not ever become a central element, and indeed, was almost beside the point."
So, they are largely made up of uneducated whites.
No, that wasn't everyone: "For additional perspective, Democracy Corps conducted a parallel set of groups in suburban Cleveland. These groups, comprised of older, white, non-college independents and weak partisans, represent some of the most conservative swing voters in the electorate,[1] and they demonstrated a wholly different worldview from Republican base voters by dismissing the fear of socialism and evaluating Obama in very different terms."
Um... yeah. Haven't you all been told that repeatedly for the past 2+ years?
Are you all a little slow to catch on, or what?
Don't make me link to all the racist websites, images, stats on the leap in racist groups since 2008, video clips, radio clips, and comments on this and many other RW message boards, for one example regarding the brainless, intense and abject terror of Rev Wright, an extremely effective lever used in 2008 by manipulators of the base. But in this survey it didn't register, so the race issue is actually likely to be less of a motivator than is apparent -- or the questions werent looking draw it out, and it didnt come up in the replies.
Last edited by delusianne; 08-06-2010 at 12:10 PM..
Reason: added re rev wright, edited last sentence.
They also believe they possess a level of knowledge and understanding when it comes to politics and current events, one gained from a rejection of the mainstream media and an embrace of conservative media and pundits such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, which sets them apart even more. Further, they believe this position leaves them with a responsibility to spread the word, to educate those who do not share their insights, and to take back the country that they love. Their faith in this country and its ideals leave them confident that their numbers will grow, and that they will ultimately defeat Barack Obama and the shadowy forces driving his hidden agenda.
This is not a comic strip.
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