I just spotted some interesting polling:
Nearly half of Republicans want their party to move farther to the right, according to a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Democrats mostly want their party to stay the same.
Forty-six percent of Americans who either identify as Republicans or lean toward the party said they’d like the GOP and its candidates to become more conservative, while 32 percent said it should stay the same.
In comparison, 49 percent of Democrats said their party should stay about the same, with 26 percent saying it should become more liberal.
I don’t place a terribly high value on most polling, but some can raise good questions. With this poll in particular…
What does it mean in terms of 2016 GOP presidential candidates and who has a shot to make it out of the primary? And will that person have a shot in the general?
Would a more conservative GOP in general appeal to independent voters?
How would a conservative GOP presidential candidate do against a moderate Democrat?
Is the division within the GOP too thick to unify?
Just some food for thought this Saturday.
Jedediah Bila is co-host of “Outnumbered” on Fox News at 12pm ET. She is an author, columnist, and Fox News Contributor. Follow Jedediah on Twitter @JedediahBila.
So, Jedediah, to answer your questions: I truly believe that a majority of Republicans are thoroughly disgusted with how weak the “establishment” Republican politicians are and that is why so many Tea Party candidates were voted into office in 2014. A Conservative candidate with a firm belief in our Constitution would do well in the primaries and the general election. I would look to Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Bush is not Conservative enough and Ben Carson just sounds so wimpy. I would LOVE to see Condaleeza Rice run, but I don’t hear any chance of it happening…so far.
How will this candidate do against a moderate Democrat? Like who? Hillary is more Liberal than Bill Clinton. Who else is running for the Democrats? Elizabeth Warren? Even more Liberal. I don’t think anyone in the Democrat party is modertate anymore. They’re ALL Liberal; most either are, or are practically, Socialists.
The biggest fallacy of all? The Independent Voter. Look what we got with Romney and McCain, trying to court the Independents: low voter turn out and loss. If a large part of your base thinks you aren’t a Conservative, they will not come out and vote for you. In Romney’s case, his Mormonism worked against him as well. (I voted for him and would again; but let’s be honest, the Evangelical wing of the party will not turn out in numbers to vote for a Mormon.) If our base is energized and comes out to vote, we will win with just the Independents that lean right. Running to the middlle is NOT how Republicans win national elections.
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That’s wonderful.
Now if you can put them in alphabetical order, I’ll give you a gold star.
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Today’s (2015) polls mean little “In terms of 2016 GOP presidential candidates and who has a shot to make it out of the primary.”
‘Aww shucky ducky’ Bila, you should know that.
I’m getting cynical in my old age, but it all comes down to money. It doesn’t matter what the majority wants, it is about who will get the financial backing. Whoever is elected will owe a handful of very rich people. Our current president was very good at campaigning, making speeches, and raising money, but had no idea how to care for the country. The campaign trail shows America nothing that is important about the person’s ability to handle the highest job in the land.
Maybe we need Mark Burnett to come up with some sort of Survivor/Apprentice game show. Candidates compete in tasks and simulations of presidential activities and crises. One gets voted out every week until we have a winner.
Sounds good to me Brian
Jedediah, today’s Republican Party Leadership has been infiltrated by Socialists and no way will they allow Conservatives to “takeover” and gain leadership nor will they back Conservative candidates in primaries. I believe we’re beating a dead horse. … It’s time for “real” Conservatives to break away and form a independent third party that can very quickly gain not only the 46% that responded to the poll, but I believe, the majority of American people who just need to hear the truth backed by the real facts. Democratic candidates NEED to be constantly referred to as Socialists, which they in fact truly are! Common sense can prevail if the message resonates a common sense message that citizens can understand. That’s why I believe that the best candidate that can excite and win over the common people is Dr. Ben Carson. He is the Socialist (Democratic) Party’s worst nightmare. A minority candidate that can convince the people that Socialism is not the answer! … Everywhere he goes, people applaud him and his message. He’s also this current Republican Party Leadership’s worst nightmare also. … He’s independent from their control. … RunBenRun!
I also like him and hopes he Runs, also I like the Idea of and Independent third party of Conservative Republicans