Like AS, I also read through the extensive, "longitudinal" Pew report and can shorthand my random observations, as follows.
- Yesterday's liberalism is today's conservatism, based on changes in old-people's views (O'Reilly, watch your q-rating!). That trend may have more way to go, but gen-Y will be such a new species of 'conservatism' that it seems unlikely it will continue that far without backtrack or hiccup (perhaps precipitated by an economic bust-up of the system based on no-tax and spend policies of the past eight years - may as well say "eight", everyone is there already, except the dear Harriet Miers - and the upcoming, fiscally-challenged future for most OECD countries).
- The "war" hasn't damaged people's perceptions of war, thankfully, just made them cautious, so we are not in for a dangerous period of Chamberlain like denial, hopefully.
- Despite her campaign against "feminism" (of yesterday?), no one is listening to Kate O'Beirn, today, on the issue.
- The GOP is very vulnerable on immigration, with nearly 2/3 of the country opposed to "conservative" views. On the other hand, the GOP Presidential hopefuls may get political cover from the current Congress and Bush in the form of legislation, and may be able to avoid having to have campaign positions on the issue.
- Something remarkable is going on (in corporate America?) that more people favor affirmative action now (70%) than in 1995 (58%), even while some measures of racial tolerance increase.
- Contrary to what AS says, tolerance for homosexuals is up quite significantly but acceptance is not up except marginally. Understanding why that is points the clear direction of how to fight for gay rights.
- People know enough about the internet to associate it with porn and have a strong opinion about it (70% think it is not 'harmless entertainment').
link: Bootstrapping Andrew Sullivan
