Some interesting data on who Republicans and Democrats feel represents them and the opposing party:
Gallup data borrowed from The Monkey Cage (via Matthew Yglesias).
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Lisa Wade is a professor of sociology at Occidental College. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Comments 8
Chris — June 14, 2009
I find it interesting that not one of the Republicans is a current office holder. One of the guys tied for a plurality has never been an office holder. The Republicans are currently out of power, but where are the sitting minority leaders and the head of the RNC?
In contrast both of the Democrats are current office holders.
Tlönista — June 14, 2009
The American political system is pretty confusing, but would it be right to say that in the US, a political party doesn't have an official leader (elected by the members, takes office if party wins election, if not, becomes the head of the shadow cabinet/leader of the opposition)?
However, both parties are run by National Committees, so would it be right to say that the chair of the RNC/DNC is the leader of the party? Would they be categorized as "other"?
Christine — June 14, 2009
Tlonista,
You're correct that the chair of the DNC/RNC is considered the 'leader' of the party. They are elected by the party members to perform that role. The difference in the US is that the role does not include being a candidate for office. They are often prominent figures who have been senators or governors but either didn't win the primaries to be a presidential candidate (like Howard Dean, the last DNC chair) or weren't picked as a VP candidate (like Tim Kaine, the current DNC chair).
I'm pretty sure that yes, in this survey they would be categorized as "other."
Hank — June 14, 2009
Chris, one of the Republicans is a current officeholder: John McCain. He is still very much a member of the Senate.
Moue Magazine » Blog Archive » Charts of the Day: Who Speaks for the Parties? — June 15, 2009
[...] Sociological Images has charts reflecting the data from a recent Gallup poll that asked Republicans and Democrats who they considered to be the leader of each party. [...]
Umlud — June 15, 2009
What I found interesting is that right-wing talking-points pinning shit on Nancy Pelosi seems to be sticking in the mind of 20% of GOPpers that were polled.
(I wonder how many of those 20% know who Harry Reid is, or does the Senate "not matter". Also, I wonder how many of those 20% think that Obama isn't a "natural born American" or some other conspiracy theory about the government...)
amandaw — June 19, 2009
Only two options for Democrats? Doesn't that skew things a bit? And it's not like we don't have other options. I just find it weird.
a westie — June 19, 2009
The Democratic party, to me at least, definitely feels more united and certain of its future than the RNC, but I wonder if maybe parties tend to feel that way when they go out of power. It'd be interesting to see this poll's results right after Bush Jr. was voted in, and at other points when the executive incumbent was replaced with a candidate from the other party.