Happily, neocons are the smallest group.
By Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
The post-Trump Republican Party cares most about issues in seven key categories, with most prioritizing economic issues like job creation and limited government, according to a new survey conducted by former President Trump’s chief 2016 and 2020 pollster.
Why it matters: The survey of 1,264 GOP voters comes as Republican lawmakers are struggling to navigate the future of the party amid a Democratic administration. It could help guide key messaging areas ahead of the 2022 midterms.
- Survey respondents were given a list of 40 issues and asked to select the five most important to them. Republican polling firm Fabrizio, Lee & Associates then identified seven distinct “issue groups” from that data.
Details:
- Dollars & Cents GOP: These voters care most about a balanced federal budget, economic growth, taxes, international trade and limited government. Middle-aged men are concentrated here.
- Core GOP Conservatives: All GOP voters remaining who didn’t fit into the other categories. Considered “extremely conservative” and the “most committed GOPers.” Care most about honesty in government.
- Don’t Tread on Me GOP: Heavily focused on personal and individual freedoms, such as privacy, gun rights and marijuana legalization. Top category for young men.
- Government-Friendly GOP: Least conservative of the seven groups, and consisting of older and more female voters. More likely to favor an involved government. Top issues include Social Security/Medicare, health care, coronavirus and education.
- Moralists: Top issues consist of abortion and religion-based values. The most female and conservative group.
- Border & Order GOP: Oldest group within the GOP. Prioritizes immigration and responds well to “law and order” messaging.
- Neo-Cons: Veterans are concentrated here. Favor large military and believe the U.S. should be “outward-facing on a global scale.”
