Beyond Red vs Blue

[markalot]

Heard this story on NPR yesterday...

Political observers divided America into red and blue states for the 2004 election. But a new study fine-tunes political groups into more specific categories, including "pro-government conservatives," "disadvantaged Democrats" and "bystanders."

Robert Siegel talks to Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press about the center's latest political typography -- the fourth such demographic snapshot since 1987.

...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4646571

[markalot]

I took the test twice. The first time I answered 2 questions incorrectly and came out a LIBERAL. This was the result with those two questions corrected. Kind of a sensitive poll.

- - - - -

Upbeat

Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Upbeat typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Upbeats represent 11 percent of the American public, and 13 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
Upbeats express positive views about the economy, government and society. Satisfied with their own financial situation and the direction the nation is heading, these voters support George W. Bush’s leadership in economic matters more than on social or foreign policy issues. Combining highly favorable views of government with equally positive views of business and the marketplace, Upbeats believe that success is in people’s own hands, and that businesses make a positive contribution to society. This group also has a very favorable view of immigrants.

Defining Values
Very favorable views of government performance and responsiveness defines the group, along with similarly positive outlook on the role of business in society. While most support the war in Iraq, Upbeats have mixed views on foreign policy – but most favor preemptive military action against countries that threaten the U.S. Religious, but decidedly moderate in views about social and cultural issues.

Who They Are
Relatively young (26% are under 30) and well-educated, Upbeats are the second wealthiest group after Enterprisers (39% have household incomes of $75,000 or more). The highest proportion of Catholics (30%) and white mainline Protestants (28%) of all groups, although fewer than half (46%) attend church weekly. Mostly white (87%), suburban, and married, they are evenly split between men and women.

Lifestyle Notes
High rate of stock ownership (42%, 2nd after Enterprisers).

2004 Election
Bush 63%, Kerry 14%.

Party ID
56% Independent/No Preference, 39% Republican, 5% Democrat (73% Rep/LeanRep)

Media Use
Upbeats are second only to Liberals in citing the internet as their main news source (34% compared with 23% nationwide); 46% also cite newspapers. No more or less engaged in politics than the national average.

Note: All descriptions and percentages are based on the national sample of adults surveyed by telephone in December. Based on your answers to the survey questions, you most closely resemble survey respondents within this group, even though you may differ significantly on one or more issues or traits.

In the overall typology there is a ninth group called “Bystanders” who are defined as adults who are not registered, who do not follow news about government and public affairs, and who say they rarely or never vote.

[postfeminist]

big shock. i was a liberal.

[seafoamgreen]

I came out liberal too. I think the difficulty i have with that test is that it sets very clear ideological boundaries, keeping diverse opinions within a small ideological spectrum.

But i'm glad that someone is trying to represent politics in this country in a more nuanced way.

[wileE]

Dangit. How come these are never about this Red vs. Blue? (http://www.redvsblue.com/home.php)

[seafoamgreen]

Dangit. How come these are never about this Red vs. Blue? (http://www.redvsblue.com/home.php)

because this forum is Current events/politics and not Awesome events/politics. If there was an Awesome forum, that would be in it.

[tobedawg]

I'm a Disadvantaged Democrat..

[vivalamusica]

Liberal. They got me pigeon-holed.

[Shlep]

I'm none of those. There's seems to be no categorization of politically conservative, socially liberal patriotic pro-business well-educated and well-employed but still broke professionals who are not themselves very religious but support religion.

[Orville Wrong]

I'm none of those. There's seems to be no categorization of politically conservative, socially liberal patriotic pro-business well-educated and well-employed but still broke professionals who are not themselves very religious but support religion.
You are a Wrongist.

Seriously, though, seafoam is right (bites tongue). These things make me claustrophobic. I find myself making all kinds of qualifications that no one is there to hear, and marking responses that aren't at all accurate.

[the_grusz]

Upbeat.

Even moreso now that I'm an official board MEMBER!

[the happy prole]

I'm a liberal.

I wish I had some of MarkaLot's happy juice. I think I actually end up voting the way he does, for the opposite reason.

MaL is all "Free market works! If it doesn't work, the government fixes it!" I'm all "Free market sucks! But the government won't screw it up any worse!"

[purple_octopus]

I'm none of those. There's seems to be no categorization of politically conservative, socially liberal patriotic pro-business well-educated and well-employed but still broke professionals who are not themselves very religious but support religion.

Yeah, I couldn't even answer the questions. It pegged me as an anti-gay conservative, even though I "strongly agreed" on the statement about society accepting homosexuality, probably just because I answered that religion was an important part of my life and answered conservatively on all of the "small vs. big government" questions. They also didn't take into account people who are religious but don't give a fuck whether other people are or not.

[markalot]

It appears they cut out over half the questions from the real poll. I can change my entire political outlook by changing the answer of a single question.

[akip]

i fit the liberal description like a glove.

the only differences are too nuanced for the poll and have to do with my realpolitik leanings in foreign policy. and these days i'm a deficit hawk. i'm pragmatic and generally nonideological. i could have a discussion with a rockefeller republican without it coming to blows.

[markalot]

i fit the liberal description like a glove.

the only differences are too nuanced for the poll and have to do with my realpolitik leanings in foreign policy. and these days i'm a deficit hawk. i'm pragmatic and generally nonideological. i could have a discussion with a rockefeller republican without it coming to blows.


If you listen to the story this is exactly what was identified as the new liberal. Still liberal but now pro deficit reduction. Personally I don't think anything has really changed, it's just people tend to ping off of what someone they don't like is doing. If a democrat was in office then it would be the repubs worried over the deficit.

[akip]

If you listen to the story this is exactly what was identified as the new liberal. Still liberal but now pro deficit reduction. Personally I don't think anything has really changed, it's just people tend to ping off of what someone they don't like is doing. If a democrat was in office then it would be the repubs worried over the deficit.

or if a democrat in office creates a surplus, the repubs wanna kick em out so they can spend it!! :p