Less Voters Are Republicans

A new Gallup poll shows 53 percent identify themselves as Americans. 39 percent consider themselves Republicans. The Republican Party brand has been strinking for years. The increasing unpopularity of George W. Bush and the succes of Democrats in registering voters has contributed the the GOP slide.




Credit must be given to former DNC Chairman Howard Dean's 50 State Strategy. Democrats aren't going to win every red state or district. However, the 50 State Strategy can increase Democratic voter registration, help down ticket candidates and pull off wins in traditionally Republican states. Obama was able to win Virginia and Indiana. Obama could have pulled off a win in Arizona. Word is Obama felt confident he was going to win the election and did not feel the need to embarrass McCain. Obama did not campaign in Arizona. The McCain Phoenix office lacked volunteers and was poorly managed.

Arizona GOP Executive Director, Sean McCaffrey said that the state party spent a hefty sum of money putting in phone systems and building a call center in the Phoenix GOP headquarters. The technology that the Arizona GOP is using is expensive, but it is also old school. Arizona Republicans are relying heavily on expensive automated telephone systems (robocalls), while Democrats have an army of volunteers armed to the teeth with laptops and cell phones.

In September, when the Barack Obama campaign opened its main office in the heart of downtown Phoenix, an estimated 1,000 cheering volunteers showed up. Arizona's Obama for America Communications Director, Dave Cieslak, says,

If enthusiasm is a measure, it shows a deep and thorough level of support. It's stunning! Offices are filled daily with volunteers -- answering questions, getting ready for community events. Phoenix volunteers have taken on an incredible amount of work, as well as working full time jobs.

Arizona was Obama's for the taking. The 50 State Strategy works.

Republicans have kept support with Churchgoers and strongly-leaning conservatives. This represents the base. Did is the same base that attends tea parties and scares the daylights out of swing voters.


Gallup did telephone interviews with 7,139 national adults. The ages were 18 and older. The margin of error is 1 percent.