… A conflict between religiously orthodox and heterodox Republicans is forcing the Republican Party onto risky terrain. The question is: Can the party sideline one of the most reliable voting blocs, the most religiously observant, on the assumption that it will attract the college-educated, socially liberal and fiscally moderate voters who […] Read more »
The GOP May Regret Its Lasting Battle Against Gay Marriage
Same-sex marriage is supported by most Americans. And after last week’s landmark Supreme Court decision, it’s also the law of the land. But how it will play out in the presidential campaign is far from settled. … Polling generally suggests that same-sex marriage is not a top issue for most […] Read more »
Trust Differs Most by Ideology for Church, Police, Presidency
In the U.S., liberals and conservatives report markedly different levels of confidence in nearly every key institution Gallup measures, reflecting the general polarization that typifies the country today. The confidence gap — the difference between groups in levels of confidence for a particular institution — is largest for the presidency […] Read more »
Why Gun Control and Abortion Are Different From Gay Marriage
The legalization of same-sex marriage is a potent example of a dominant theme in American history: Over time, civil rights expand, and discrimination ebbs. … As a result, it’s fair to divide the major issues in American political life into two broad categories. In one category are the rights-based issues […] Read more »
As Left Wins Culture Battles, G.O.P. Gains Opportunity to Pivot for 2016
… Privately, some of the strategists advising Republican hopefuls believe the last week has been nothing short of a gift from above — a great unburdening on issues of race and sexuality, and on health care a disaster averted. Rhetorical opposition to the Affordable Care Act will still be de […] Read more »
In a fast-changing culture, can the GOP get in step with modern America?
… Across the cultural landscape, the national consensus is evolving rapidly, epitomized by this year’s convulsions of celebrity, social issues and politics — from the acceptance of Caitlyn Jenner’s gender identity to Pope Francis’s climate-change decree to the widespread shunning of the Confederate flag. Then came Friday’s landmark Supreme Court […] Read more »