Gallup: Majority of Democrats have positive image of socialism
posted at 12:55 pm on February 5, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Barack Obama complained at the House Republican Conference that the GOP had mischaracterized ObamaCare as “a Bolshevik plot.” His allies made hay earlier this week from a poll from Daily Kos that showed 63% of Republicans believed Obama to be a socialist. However, a poll by Gallup released yesterday shows that such a label would endear Democrats to Obama — since a majority of Democrats have positive attitudes towards socialism (via Power Line):
More than one-third of Americans (36%) have a positive image of “socialism,” while 58% have a negative image. Views differ by party and ideology, with a majority of Democrats and liberals saying they have a positive view of socialism, compared to a minority of Republicans and conservatives. …
Americans are almost uniformly positive in their reactions to three terms: small business, free enterprise, and entrepreneurs. They are divided on big business and the federal government, with roughly as many Americans saying their view is positive as say it is negative. Americans are more positive than negative on capitalism (61% versus 33%) and more negative than positive on socialism (36% to 58%).
Democrats and Republicans agree in their ratings of several of the terms, but differ significantly in their ratings of others — in particular, capitalism, the federal government, and socialism.
On capitalism, both Republicans and Democrats have majorities with positive attitudes, but at 72% to 53%, the difference is significant. Two-thirds of Democrats have a positive image of the federal government, compared to just 27% of Republicans. On big business, the difference is only eight points, 54% for Republicans to 46% of Democrats, which may show how much small businesses are valued when compared to the capitalism numbers (97% GOP, 95% Dems).
But of course, the big difference is on socialism. Only 17% of Republicans have a positive image of socialism (and where are those 17% anyway?), while 53% of Democrats feel positively towards it. Gallup doesn’t break out independents in this poll, but in a separate breakout, only 39% of moderates have a positive image of socialism, while 20% conservatives and 61% of liberals do.
As Obama and Nancy Pelosi keep pushing for greater government control of the health-care and energy sectors, the comparisons of Democrats to socialists will get stronger. That may not turn off the Democratic base, but it could explain why so many independents have fled the Democrats and are pushing back against the Obama-Pelosi agenda.
Blowback
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George Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM should be required reading like it used to be in our schools.
Then they would know the evil.
BlueStateBilly on February 5, 2010 at 12:57 PM
ED! Surely this is worth a “shocked-SHOCKED”!
misterpeasea on February 5, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Unexpected
Lily on February 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Utopia is calling!
Maquis on February 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Frum and Brooks.
BadgerHawk on February 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Water is wet.
kahall on February 5, 2010 at 1:00 PM
- The Brothers Karamazov
David Shane on February 5, 2010 at 1:00 PM
So the Daily Kos and Gallup are trying to say we don’t mind turning socialist? Birds of a feather! Just more propaganda.
Christian Conservative on February 5, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Meanwhile, Republicans are nuts for thinking Democrats are socialists…at least according to the KOSKiddies/Little Green (Rahm) alliance.
MNHawk on February 5, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Where’s my check?
Seven Percent Solution on February 5, 2010 at 1:00 PM
RINOS
cmsinaz on February 5, 2010 at 1:01 PM
That’s strange. I’d figured that percentage would be higher.
AubieJon on February 5, 2010 at 1:01 PM
You don’t say.
Thank you, Captain Obvious.
HornetSting on February 5, 2010 at 1:01 PM
must be a slow news day…
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on February 5, 2010 at 1:01 PM
…and they mock us for calling BHO a Socialist?
mjbrooks3 on February 5, 2010 at 1:01 PM
I’m calling bull. 17% of Republicans and 20% of conservatives have a positive view of socialism? Not buying it.
amerpundit on February 5, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Except their ‘socialism’ is actually statism wearing a stolen robe. And despite lip-service to the contrary, the vast majority of Democrat politicians don’t give two hoots for true fairness.
Dark-Star on February 5, 2010 at 1:02 PM
We need a Foreign Exchange Program that sends American socialist wannabes to Russia for say 10 years while we take in an equivalent number of Russians that desires a pop at the capitalist pig experience.
Patrick S on February 5, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Why not?That’s easier,you don’t have to do anything for yourself,stayin’ on the broad road.
ohiobabe on February 5, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Birthers vs Bolsheviks… to the streets!
mjbrooks3 on February 5, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Not so much and indication of desire for socialism as it is the lack of mainstream Conservative message from K through 12 and beyond.
Speakup on February 5, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Left is doing its best to mainstream socialism. The main precedent set by electing Obama was not racial, but ideological. His presidency mainstreams revolutionary/transformational international socialism.
petefrt on February 5, 2010 at 1:04 PM
I can’t blame you for being suspicious…but have you considered that they might be using the old definition of socialism?
Dark-Star on February 5, 2010 at 1:04 PM
That’s because they have 0% involvement in paying taxes.
greggriffith on February 5, 2010 at 1:04 PM
You can’t fix stupid. And every one of those who love socialism are stupid.
Subsunk
Subsunk on February 5, 2010 at 1:05 PM
They should ask about communism too, or about Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea. Libs love the idea of total control by the government because every last one of them believes they themselves would be chosen to serve in the politburo.
Question them about whether they would be willing to be an average worker and every one will say “Me? Noooo, I’m too intellectual, how could I be a mere laborer?”
Bishop on February 5, 2010 at 1:05 PM
This poll does not include the Che Shirt bunch.
Lily on February 5, 2010 at 1:05 PM
If I ask my children if they have a positive view of Santa Claus, guess what answer I will get…
Of course, they are not buying the toys either.
percysunshine on February 5, 2010 at 1:05 PM
The difference is?
amerpundit on February 5, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Roughly 21% of Americans identify themselves as liberals (see Gallup poll).
Roughly 34% of Americans affiliate with the democrat party (from Gallup).
21% / 34% = 61.7% of Dems are liberal.
Therefore, 53% embrace of socialism in the Democratic party means not even all, but most of, the liberals in the party embrace socialism.
WashJeff on February 5, 2010 at 1:06 PM
It just proves that misery loves company. I think we all knew that.
RBMN on February 5, 2010 at 1:07 PM
So … 53% of dems are not embarrassed to express their sadness that the USSR fell.
“We’re all socialists, now.”
– Newsweak
neurosculptor on February 5, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Weird how the number of conservatives with a positive view of socialism (20%)is greater than the number of Republicans (17%). I guess a lot of people are classifying their ideology based on social issues (i.e. pro-life dems who like socialism are “conservatives”, pro-choice repubs who hate it are “moderates”)
BuzzCrutcher on February 5, 2010 at 1:07 PM
“Socialism only works in two places- Heaven, where they don’t need it, and Hell, where they already have it.”
Ronald Reagan
parteagirl on February 5, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Remember how widely-reported that DailyKOS survey of Republicans was?
Let’s see how many people carry the news of this Gallup survey.
hawksruleva on February 5, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Maybe that 53% should form their own national party, since they favor themselves as champions of the workers they should incorporate that in their name, so how about this:
National Socialist Workers Party
Insert witty screen name here on February 5, 2010 at 1:09 PM
100% of my children identify themselves as being on the ‘good’ list in the month before Christmas.
That has never stopped them from accidentally setting the Christmas tree on fire.
percysunshine on February 5, 2010 at 1:10 PM
there will be nary a peep out of ‘em…they will be doing their happy dance of 9.7% instead….chrissy will be acting like a giddy school boy
cmsinaz on February 5, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Now is the time to emphasize that all democrats are now liberals-socialists-progressives-marxists,just look at how they are voting for healthcare and cap and trade. Forcing the issue now could divide the party forever.”Old” time dems just want to help the little guy not run his life like the “new” dems.
tim c on February 5, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Maine, Mass, Mitt Romney’s Campaign
james23 on February 5, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Suspicions confirmed.
BuckeyeSam on February 5, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Short & sweet version:
Original definition: bottom-up, voluntary system where equality is (usually) handled on a fairly local basis, as is efficiency and weeding out the loafers. Enshrined in the doctrine of many religions, with differing methods and wording.
Democrat definition: top-down, involuntary system based entirely on secular law – “equality by bulldozer”. Problems of ‘fairness’ usually solved by blindly throwing money at them.
I despise the scum who’ve twisted a beautiful idea into an back-route excuse for jackbootery, the people who mindlessly follow them, and the willfully lazy that sell their votes for stolen bread.
Dark-Star on February 5, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Step by step, the burgeoning dependent class will usurp the freedom of all of us.
Freedom is scary bcs when you screw up, there is no one to blame but yourself.
Badger40 on February 5, 2010 at 1:13 PM
My guess is that many liberals do not think of their policy positions as socialist, when they actually are; thus, the gap between liberals and those that embrace socialism.
WashJeff on February 5, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Agree. No way.
Connie on February 5, 2010 at 1:14 PM
That’s what the polls are showing. The Dems are marginalizing themselves into the National Socialist Party, and a minority party at that. They can’t even win in MassachusettEs anymore.
Doughboy on February 5, 2010 at 1:14 PM
And many in the GOP leadership, who are afraid of offending the aforesaid socialists.
james23 on February 5, 2010 at 1:15 PM
It all depends on which side of the check you’re placing your signature.
Over30 on February 5, 2010 at 1:16 PM
There is no form of “voluntary socialism”. I don’t know what you are talking about.
Leftist theories were most perfectly and efficiently attempted in the Israeli kibbutzim and the failure rate and rejection of leftist ideas (even from staunch leftists) was phenomenal. The kibbutzim are now just about all gone or privatized.
neurosculptor on February 5, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Well said!
parteagirl on February 5, 2010 at 1:16 PM
They’re easy to spot. They’re the ones wearing the Che t-shirts and Mao jackets.
PoodleSkirt on February 5, 2010 at 1:17 PM
Yeah, no, I don’t think people are thinking of an ancient definition that hasn’t been the known face of socialism in, oh, ever.
Pretty sure they’re thinking of socialism as socialism is: The Soviet Union, Cuba, and other countries where it’s been implemented fully.
amerpundit on February 5, 2010 at 1:17 PM
Only the retarded ones…
Sarah Palin bawling me out in 5… 4… 3… 2…
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on February 5, 2010 at 1:17 PM
+1
Badger40 on February 5, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Can we question the Left’s patriotism now? I mean, isn’t an adherence to the principles of the Constitution wrapped up in American patriotism?
And all the liberals who post here with such hate for us–who have been ‘offended’ when we call them socialists. And what about those who are Left but claim to be conservatives? Maybe those last can finally come out of the closet.
Good several weeks we’ve had here, huh?
Liam on February 5, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Of course they do, the moochers and blood-suckers that they are.
Let the producers work themselves to death, be taxed, so they can redistribute their labor and wealth.
Ayn Rand is crying in her grave for having her fiction materialized in 50 years from publication. Good thing the rest of the country doesn’t see it their way. Oh, November, you can’t come soon enough.
Schadenfreude on February 5, 2010 at 1:18 PM
And Obama pins, shirts, hats, and other merchandise.
And they have a Chia Obama at home.
Daggett on February 5, 2010 at 1:18 PM
I hate Democrats.
Apologetic California on February 5, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Even, so far back as the 14th century, Ibn Khaldun addressed the Democrat scum of today (though he was talking about arabs, at the time) From Chapter 25 of The Muqaddimah:
A 14th century muslim understood the world better than 21st century Democrats. Yep …
neurosculptor on February 5, 2010 at 1:20 PM
My children also have short memories. In some cases the attention span lasts seconds.I am hoping they grow out of it.
percysunshine on February 5, 2010 at 1:20 PM
If you equate “socialism” with “statism” then you can add the Bush family, McCain, Graham and all liberal Republicans. Not hart to get to 17% that way.
Extrafishy on February 5, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Maybe some pollsters interchangeably use the term “Social Justice” instead of “Socialism”. Not that there’s any difference, but many Useful Idiots don’t know that.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2010 at 1:21 PM
DemonSheep’s work with the Dems is done.
steveegg on February 5, 2010 at 1:22 PM
Dang! I did not get my O’merchandise before they went out of business!
WashJeff on February 5, 2010 at 1:22 PM
Rush said that he’s been hestitant to use the term “socialist”, but now that socialism is so awesome, he’s going to use the term. And he has been.
ladyingray on February 5, 2010 at 1:22 PM
The kids or the democrats. The kids will (I am waiting for that stage too). Some democrats will, but there is always a new crop to replace the ones that wise up.
WashJeff on February 5, 2010 at 1:23 PM
They would, except that Adolf had a blood feud with their hero, Iosif.
steveegg on February 5, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Sorry to disagree with you, but I can’t really believe that all of the democrats go along with this Socialism claptrap. The have to be a number of moderate democrats that don’t really want to go along with the national democrat partie’s headlong plunge into socialism.
It’s the extreme far-leftist of that national party that are the Socialist’s – national socialists. Moderate Dems are being pulled along towards the cliff to the doom of all of the party, not just the national socialist extremist wing democrat party.
Chainsaw56 on February 5, 2010 at 1:24 PM
Some lady just called Rush to ask why he is against single payer health insurance. She said she and Rush should help those who can’t afford the health care that they can afford. Rush asked her where it stops, is she willing to make sure everyone has as nice a car as she has? She obviously had a list of “questions” to get on air, not willing to have a conversation about this largess is suppose to work.
Cindy Munford on February 5, 2010 at 1:24 PM
Has anyone created the ‘Demonsheep’ screen name on Hotair yet? What a riot!
percysunshine on February 5, 2010 at 1:25 PM
this poll is not a surprise to most of us, but it is very useful. To me it says we should continue to label Maobama and the Congressional Dems as socialists, to drive the other 47%–who don’t like socialism or who won’t admit to liking it–away from the party.
james23 on February 5, 2010 at 1:25 PM
The LSM media will be all over this poll…
d1carter on February 5, 2010 at 1:25 PM
That lady was hysterically funny!
ladyingray on February 5, 2010 at 1:26 PM
That woman forgot one thing: Rush’s annual radiothon for leukemia. He raises millions, and donates generously from his own wealth. Far as I know he’s never given a dollar figure (and he need not), but rumors are high in five figures.
So Rush is doing as the Left ‘demands’. He simply doesn’t it the way charity is supposed to be done: from the heart, not at point of a gun.
Liam on February 5, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Oh please! Methinks someone has drunk too much of Glenn Beck’s tea. This is the one thing he does which drives me insane.
“Progressives” are freaking Socialists/Communists, and Democrats invariably have people who fall into these categories actively working in their campaigns, working and fund raising with outside groups who support Dems like the Tides Foundation and Center for American Progress, and in their administrations. That simply cannot be said about Republicans.
I seriously doubt that, say, David Horowitz would agree that George Bush or John McCain (for all their faults) are “Progressives”. On the other hand Horowitz has told us that his Communist parents (active cell members, whose loyalty was to the Soviet Union) called themselves “Progressives”.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2010 at 1:30 PM
I meant six figures–sorry. Misplaced my decimal point…
Liam on February 5, 2010 at 1:30 PM
That’s easy to explain.
It’s because Democrat politicians and the people who vote for them are generally:
1) Stupid (whether due to ignorance, over-education, inexperience or all three)
2) Arrogance
3) A controlling desire to force other people to live not as they wish, but as the socialist wishes
“Democrats” have all three undesirable traits and therefore are too irresponsible to trust with any power whatsoever over anyone elses life.
NoDonkey on February 5, 2010 at 1:30 PM
Of course they do . . . it’s what they are and what the rest of us will never be.
rplat on February 5, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Probably think Socialist is someone who uses Facebook.
redridinghood on February 5, 2010 at 1:31 PM
There are many many socialist countries on the planet. We want to keep what we have here, and stand by our constitution. So let’s all pitch in, for some one way tickets for all these socialist lovers, and welcome those here, who want their freedoms, and independence, without government control of our lives. :D
capejasmine on February 5, 2010 at 1:32 PM
href=”http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/socialism.html”>Hugo Chavez
They are in wonderful company, aren’t they?
kingsjester on February 5, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Not surprising results especially if the poll was taken in a Walmart parking lot or at any AM/PM or Circle K (two rodeo-like roundups for government services parasites) on any Friday or Saturday night.
yobobbyb on February 5, 2010 at 1:32 PM
I’d bet a months’ pay that, were the Republicans controlling all branches of govt, “Federal Government” would STILL get 27% from Republicans, same as now. The difference is, if that were the case, Dems would give it the same 27% or less, rather than the 2/3 they currently do. Who thinks “Federal Government” polled 2/3 among Democrats during the Bush years?
See, Republicans want to run their own lives. Regardless of who it is that’s in charge, they trust themselves, and not people who want to be in charge of them. Our distrust of the federal government is an honest one. It has nothing to do with who runs it, because we don’t want anything from it other than national defense, and a system of law.
OTOH, Democrats *identify personally* with their party. They love it. They think that when the Dems are in charge, THEY are in charge. And they’re not entirely wrong, since theirs is the party that steals for its members. Their party is their goon squad, so they root for it. They could give a rat’s a$$ about national defense and law — they just want more of other peoples’ money. One party gives it to them, and the other doesn’t.
Dirty Creature on February 5, 2010 at 1:33 PM
That’s communism, which is little more a system where would-be tyrants start a ‘people’s revolt’ and let it run until they can seize power.
Dark-Star on February 5, 2010 at 1:33 PM
Matter of degree not type
daesleeper on February 5, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Ever notice, in college, how the most ardent socialists came from families where daddy was paying the tuition?
Liam on February 5, 2010 at 1:36 PM
folks, it’s pretty much time for TWO countries in the space currently occupied by the United States. The one country will based on free enterprise. The other will Socialist.
Both will start out as Republics.
The free enterprise country will remain a Republic…and will flourish.
The Socialist country will quickly become a “People’s Republic”…and will fail.
Then we can re-unite the two countries as a FREE America again!
I am ready…now!
Justrand on February 5, 2010 at 1:36 PM
RE: 17%
There are social conservatives who have no problem with using the government as a means to help the less fortunate. They bought that line from Obama’s campaign about brother’s keeper and all that.
beatcanvas on February 5, 2010 at 1:36 PM
In light of President Obama’s comment against “schoolyard taunts” and name calling, does this mean Democrats secretly call themselves names, like socialist?
Or are they just too stupid to know the history of their ideology? Maybe they honestly think it’s cool, like the dudes who wear pants on the ground.
jeff_from_mpls on February 5, 2010 at 1:38 PM
What? Are you sure? I’m shocked I tell you, shocked. And to think that all this time I thought it was a get together at the country club.
chewmeister on February 5, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Were they even questioned as to whether or not they understood the term. As previously stated most that preferred it were clueless about what it entails such as the loss of liberty and basic choices that we all take for granted.
Again as so many have proselytized before take your children out from the heavy handed indoctrination of public schools. This is our choice as parents whether or not to allow it to continue. Thus far we couldn’t give a rat’s caboose.
larvcom on February 5, 2010 at 1:41 PM
I am my brother’s keeper. I’m not sure what the problem is with that?
I will never ask government to put its hands in your pants to make YOU pay for my brother.
But I personally am my brother’s keeper. No question about it.
I’m wondering who you think you’re impressing by seeming to belittle those who think as I do?
jeff_from_mpls on February 5, 2010 at 1:41 PM
I told you a long time ago, during the election, that calling him a “socialist” would only embolden them, that the term had no evil connotation for them…. they dig it! it’s what they want…
Kaptain Amerika on February 5, 2010 at 1:41 PM
That’s why they are Democrats. What is “the Village”.
From each according to their industry, to each according to their vote….
unclesmrgol on February 5, 2010 at 1:42 PM
How is it that conflict between Statist tyrannies somehow makes one of them non-Statist?
How does conflict between the National Socialist German Workers Party – The Nazis, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics – the USSR, make one of them to be non-socialist?
Chainsaw56 on February 5, 2010 at 1:42 PM
In a related story, a plurality of democrats believe bestiality is a private matter between a liberal and his and/or her pet.
jeff_from_mpls on February 5, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Since socialism is “revolutionary” and progressivism is “evolutionary”, perhaps Horowitz might agree that Bush, McCain and liberal Republicans just aren’t as far along on the evolutionary chain. This is not to say that I care that much what Horowitz thinks as I don’t consider him, or you, to be the final arbiters of the definition of “progressive”.
Extrafishy on February 5, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Already been done. East and West Germany. Sadly, against all advice to the contrary, East Germany appears to be winning again.
Those who fail to heed history are doomed to repeat it.
unclesmrgol on February 5, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Funny–socialists despise the Bible but quote it–sort of.
When Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” he was being cynical.
The Left also likes the Biblical admonition to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. I, too, agree with that. But there’s no requirement we style them according to the latest fad, or serve our children bread and water while giving the hungry a banquet.
Of course, the Left also ignores the Biblical mention that if you don’t work, you don’t eat.
Funny–the unbelieving socialists think they know the Bible better than those who love the Lord.
Liam on February 5, 2010 at 1:45 PM
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