Religious voting blocs shift allegiances

[grok]

Zogby International
Religious voting blocs shift allegiances...

The increasing influence of religion in American life is widely expected to shake up the 2004 presidential contest, realigning some traditional voting blocs in ways that might surprise both major parties, political pollsters and experts say.

Some Jewish and Muslim voters appear to be abandoning their past party affiliations and fewer evangelical Christians may go to the polls, adding to the volatility of the race.

The Bush administration's strategy to lure Jewish voters away from the Democratic Party seems to be working, said pollsters and Jewish leaders, who point to President Bush's support for Israel as one of the reasons for the shift.

Muslims, many of whom supported the president overwhelmingly in 2000, now are working to defeat him. Driven by outrage over what they see as a clampdown on their civil rights and by opposition to U.S. policy in the Middle East, Muslims across the country are holding registration drives, hoping to mobilize 1 million voters to try to oust Bush.

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http://www.zogby.com/Soundbites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=6578 <FULL TEXT>

Your thoughts? Are they smoking crack?

Grok

[wanderingbear]

1. What ever happened to seperation of Church and State..

Or is that just another one of Bush's Constitutonal Victums??

[grok]

3. This is just a polling company and information beureau

Nothing more. This is a discussion of how some religious groups *might* vote. Like how the right wing evangelicals *might* stay home and not vote for the repugs this time. Quite interesting.

Grok

[vi5]

2. Why? I kind of figured this would happen on both fronts...

I'm not saying all jewish voters are suddenly switching to republicans, but there is no doubt that many are easily sold on a politician based on his stance towards and support of Israel. Be they Dem or Repub. Again, not all but there are some.

Same thing with Muslims. Not all of them are going to switch to Dem, but enough are pissed off about bushco to be swayed.

The small numbers doing this switch from both religions probably are just small enough to counter each others effects. But I don't think the whole premise here is way off.

[grok]

5. I wouldn't be surprised...

If our Shiite and Sunni population will swing MASSIVELY to our side this time. Afterall, we had Lieberman on the ticket in the 2000 election. That may be why they stayed away from us in droves last time.

Grok

[Philosophy]

4. People named Mohamad will be purged from voter rolls

Because they could be terrorists.