The Candidates
In 2005 the Pew Research Group looked at the different groups that make up the Republican and Democratic Coalitions. They also identified the groups in the middle. I think the descriptions for the Democratic and Republican groups are still accurate.
Here are the Republican groups and their percentage of the total electorate:
ENTERPRISERS
10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS
BASIC DESCRIPTION: Assertive on foreign policy and patriotic; anti-regulation and pro-business; very little support for government help to the poor; strong belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being. Conservative on social issues such as gay marriage, but not much more religious than the nation as a whole.
SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES
13% OF REGISTERED VOTERS
BASIC DESCRIPTION: While supportive of an assertive foreign policy, this group is somewhat more religious than are Enterprisers. In policy terms, they break from the Enterprisers in their cynical views of business, modest support for environmental and other regulation, and strong anti-immigrant sentiment.
PRO-GOVERNMENT CONSERVATIVES
10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS
BASIC DESCRIPTION: Pro-Government Conservatives stand out for their strong religious faith and conservative views on many moral issues. They also express broad support for a social safety net, which sets them apart from other GOP groups. Pro-Government Conservatives are skeptical about the effectiveness of the marketplace, favoring government regulation to protect the public interest and government assistance for the needy.
You can go here to see this in more detail.
There’s also an online test that can show which group you fit into. If you don’t mind take the online quiz and tell me which group you belong to in the comments.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:21 am
I was an Enterpriser, I was a bit surprised that I am not a Social Conservative, but I guess it depends on the questions.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:00 am
I tested Enterpriser no surprise.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:03 am
I owned a gift shop for 13 years.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:35 am
The Enterpriser group is mis-labeled. We are actually “Libertarian Republicans,” or Goldwaterites.
We Pro-Defense libertarians can be found at http://www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com
Obviously, Pew is biased, and does not wish to link the libertarian wing with the Republican Party. Thus, they disguise us as Independents or mis-label us as Enterprisers.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:55 am
It’s all an evil conspiracy Eric. I think Ron Paul is looking in to it as we speak.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:40 am
I’m an enterpriser.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:48 am
I’m an Enterpriser.
I also agree with Eric, that I am a Pro-Defense Libertarian and that is what an Enterprise really is.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Enterpriser here too!
April 10th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Its funny how the ‘pro-government’ ‘conservatives’ and ’social’ ‘conservatives’ are not ‘conservative’ at all. They are imposters and have cunted up the Republican party. Meanwhile the ‘Enterprisers’ are the closest to a real conservative if you were to strip out the neo-con tinge. Holy hell, the party is fucked.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Enterpriser here.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Enterpriser. Like #1, I’m think it’s a little odd too, considering some of my answers on social issues. I think the answers I gave about morality in general and the fact that I’m an active churchgoer may have shifted me.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:03 am
While I am perfectly happy with the designation Enterpriser, I was dismayed that there was no selection that hinted at being pro-Constitution as the most important designation. A conservative is not a conservative without fidelity to the founding documents.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:08 am
You have a good point, Mr. G.M. Miller. While I doubt that I vote actually vote for the Constitutional Party, it would be nice to have a few questions about our Constitution.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:17 am
No surprise I’m a social conservative.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Not shockingly, I’m an enterpriser
April 10th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Enterpriser.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Ditto: Enterpriser.
Doug, you’re the odd-man out. Shape up!
April 10th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Enterpriser, though I also consider myself somewhat of a social conservative due to my views on social/moral issues.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Yet another enterpriser, although I only partially agree with their description (I am not opposed to gay marriage, for example).
I also disagree with the test’s questions on immigration, since they deal only with legal immigration which is not the major issue in politics today. I am a very strong supporter of immigration (my late wife was an immigrant), and I think legal immigration should be expanded greatly. I am a strong opponent of illegal immigration, however (as was my wife and most immigrants I know — they resent those who cheat where they took the tough route).
All Pew’s questions deal with support for immigration generally. I think Pew assumes that all opponents of illegal immigration are nativists — which I’ve found is a common view.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I’m also an Enterpriser.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:22 am
The groups aren’t broad enough. I got Enterpriser, of course, but I’m extremely socially permissible, as is known.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Funny. I was just thinking about this Pew study the other day.
Given the manner in which the political landscape has changed between 2005 and 2008, I’m not sure this study paints an accurate picture of the American electorate at present. I’ll wait for the next one myself. If I recall correctly, when I took it in 2005, I was an Enterpriser, which almost seems to be the default option.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Enterpriser
April 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
“PRO-GOVERNMENT CONSERVATIVE”
WHAT AN OXYMORON!!!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:17 am
DaveG, it is the default for online Republicans…
April 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Enterpriser