America Leans To The Left

It is a fairly common claim from conservatives that America is a right-of-center country; that Democrats are simply out of touch with the average citizen. I've never seen a conservative back up this claim, but that hasn't stopped them from saying it, or kept fellow conservatives from believing it, I would guess. Tell a lie long enough and it eventually becomes the truth (for an example of this, see the term "liberal media.")

Fortunately, there is evidence to back up a claim of the direction that the country is leaning, and you may have already guessed from the title, it isn't to the right.

Rasmussen Reports tracks ten issues that are important to American voters and the party that people trust more to handle each of the issues. May 2008's poll has some interesting results.

The most important issue: The Economy. Whom do people trust more? The Democrats, 50% to 36%. That's a pretty significant spread.

Issue Two: Government Ethics and Corruption. Which party is more trusted? Dems, 45% to 26%. No real surprise there.

Issue Three: National Security and the War on Terror. This is the Republicans' bread and butter, right? Nope. The Democrats are more trusted, 49% to 42%.

And so it goes with the other issues as well. The Democrats are more trusted on:

Social Security: 49% to 36%.
Health Care: 54% to 33%.
Education: 50% to 35%.
Iraq (Iraq!) 50% to 39%.
Taxes (Taxes?) 45% to 40%.
Immigration: 45% to 35%.
Abortion 46% to 39%.

The Democrats are more trusted by at least 5% on every major issue. There are two important conclusions to draw from this.

First: The Republican smear machine will be running full force this fall, because they know they can't win on any of the issues. All they have left are personal attacks. I'm sure we can look forward to seeing more footage of Reverend Wright.

Second: America is a left-of-center country.

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