If there was one word that was used most often to describe President Obama’s second inaugural address Monday, it was “liberal.” …
Opinion polls show that on almost all of the major positions Obama espoused in his speech — entitlements, immigration, climate change and same-sex marriage — a majority of Americans agree with him. …
Beyond the capital’s divisions, citizens across the country resist the “liberal” label — even though polls showthat they tend to hold liberal positions on individual issues. Political scientists call this “symbolic” vs. “operational” ideology. [cont.]
Zachary A. Goldfarb, Washington Post
Recent polls: Policy issues