U.S. Becoming More Partisan Despite Attempts at Bipartisanship

Written by: Patrick Stansberry on Mar 2, 2009 8:29 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFIA, DFA Blog Network, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, DFA Night School

New Rasmussen polls show the United States is becoming more and more partisan.

From Open Left...

With roughly 200,000 interviews a year, and with interviews conducted every single non-holiday, Rasmussen's yearly party identification totals are the best resource for partisan trends over the past five years. Here are there yearly totals:

Non-partisan self-identification, by year, from Rasmussen Reports

Year	Dem	Non	Rep
2009	40.9	26.1	33.1
2008	40.5	27.0	32.5
2007	36.9	31.0	32.1
2006	37.0	30.3	32.8
2005	36.9	28.1	35.0
2004	38.0	26.5	35.6

The data shows two unmistakable trends, which I discuss in the extended entry.
First, from 2005 to 2007, while the number of Democrats remained constant, the ranks of non-partisan identifiers swelled by 2.9, and the ranks of Republicans were depleted 2.9. During this time, the country was becoming less partisan and less Republican, but not less Democratic.

Second, in 2008, the country reverted back to partisan levels of 2004 and 2005. The number of non-partisan identifiers dropped 4.0, with 90% of the new partisan identifiers turning Democratic. So, the country became more partisan, more Democratic, and the number of Republicans remained constant.

Combine these two trends, and the results is that, since the start of 2005, the country is more Democratic, less Republican, and just as partisan as it ever was. So, what we have is not a post-, bi-, or non-partisan trend, but instead a decidedly Democratic trend. This is based on a poll, conducted daily for the past five years, and with a sample size of less than 0.2% (zero point two percent). Effectively, there is no way to argue against the trendlines shown in this data.

With the number of independents/no party declining in recent years, it's just another reason not to give into the so-called centrists.

It's time for bold policies and a clear vision for our future. If our elected officials lead, citizen activists put on the pressure, people will get on board.

 

Originally posted at Century of the Common Iowan.

Centrism is for Suckers (or the Sierra Club and NEA get swindled)

Written by: Patrick Stansberry on Aug 7, 2006 3:12 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFIA

I posted this on my blog, Century of the Common Iowan. Check it out at commoniowan.blogspot.com/2006/08...


I didn't say it, NY Times columnist Paul Krugman did in his column yesterday. The article takes a different look at centrism than the David Sirota piece I wrote about in June, but it still provides an important conclusion.

"The fact is that in 1994, the year when radical Republicans took control both of Congress and of their own party, things fell apart, and the center did not hold. Now we're living in an age of one-letter politics, in which a politician's partisan affiliation is almost always far more important than his or her personal beliefs. And those who refuse to recognize this reality end up being useful idiots for those, like President Bush, who have been consistently ruthless in their partisanship."

Here in Iowa we don't have to look far for an example. In the 2nd District, the Sierra Club and the NEA has endorsed Republican Jim Leach (Yes, I am a member of both groups). It is true that Leach probably does have a decent record on the environment and education. However, if Leach wins, he helps keep a Republican majority in the House, keeps Dennis Hastert as Speaker, and the rightwing of the Republican Party will continue to dismantle our environmental laws and leave all are children behind.

Dave Loebsack has come out with strong positions on the environment and education and to think that he wouldn't do just as good of job protecting the environment and improving education as Leach is ridiculous. Loebsack is an educator for pete's sake (it might be more fitting to change the saying to "for Hastert's sake" in this case).

The Sierra Club and NEA have become, as Krugman says, useful idiots by backing the Leach/Hastert ticket in this race.

Feingold Coming to Iowa July 15 and 16

Written by: Patrick Stansberry on Jul 7, 2006 2:25 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFIA

I have been hearing rumors that Sen. Feingold will be coming to Iowa this month and just confirmed it. Sen. Feingold will be in the state Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th. He will be making stops in Dubuque, Maquoketa, Clinton, and Davenport. I plan on trying to attend a couple of the stops. I don't have any times yet, but will keep you posted.

iowafeingold.blogspot.com...

Feingold Coming to Iowa July 15 and 16

Written by: Patrick Stansberry on Jul 7, 2006 2:24 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Quad Cities Trained Activists

I have been hearing rumors that Sen. Feingold will be coming to Iowa this month and just confirmed it. Sen. Feingold will be in the state Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th. He will be making stops in Dubuque, Maquoketa, Clinton, and Davenport. I plan on trying to attend a couple of the stops. I don't have any times yet, but will keep you posted.

iowafeingold.blogspot.com/...

Fallon supporter?

Written by: Patrick Stansberry on Apr 19, 2006 2:04 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFIA

Ed applied for DFA support, please check out www.dfalink.com/campaign.php?id=1225 and show your support.

What have you done the week after DFA training?

Written by: Patrick Stansberry on Apr 14, 2006 11:52 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Quad Cities Trained Activists

Just wanted to know if anyone has been putting what they learned to use.

I have organized some canvassers to go out for one of the candidates for Governor here in Iowa. I am also on a committee to organize a House Party for the same candidate. What I learned in the training has helped so far.

I have tried to use the things about online organizing to use on my 2 blogs (commoniowan.blogspot.com and iowafeingold.blogspot.com).

There is so much to do and so little time. I hope everyone else is having fun putting to use what they learned.