Following the election of Barack Obama numerous pundits across the left, middle and squishy parts of the right, pontificated that the results of the election proved that Conservatism, especially Reagan Conservatism was dead. The argument was that the American public wanted more government solutions, more regulation, more “fairness” and more social services.
A recent poll by Rasmussen finds results that appears to run contrary to these pontiffs:
Fifty-six percent (56%) of U.S. voters say the Republican Party should return to the views and values of the iconic 40th president of the United States.
The response from Republicans isn’t surprising:
Eighty-five percent (85%) of Republican voters believe a return to the two-term president’s views and values are the road to success. Just eight percent (8%) disagree.
However, responses from unaffiliated voters and Democrats were:
Among unaffiliated voters, 61% say the Republican Party
should return to Reagan, while 23% think the party should move away from those values.
Even 29% of Democrats think Reagan is a good role model for the modern Republican Party.
Also surprising, at least if you believe that President Obama had some kind of a mandate to expand government is the following:
In his first inaugural address, Reagan declared that "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." Fifty-nine percent (59%) 59% of voters still agree with him.
Finally, the survey showed that 57% believe that tax cuts are good for the economy while only 17% disagreed.
The findings in this report provide a lot of insight as to why support for the stimulus bill is fading. It should also be something that President Obama takes to heart.
Contrary to what has been whispered to Obama, or what he may believe, about the country wanting to move quickly to the left, it appears that Reagan Conservatism is still alive and well even within the Democrat party.
Can someone please make sure that Mitch McConnell gets a copy of the poll?
To paraphrase Twain: Rumors of Conseratism’s demise have been greatly exaggerated!
