Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Dead Man Flying on February 15, 2003, 01:53:09 AM
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In another thread, Hangtime and I briefly discussed the political makeup of the AH forums. In order to verify our conclusions, I'd like to poll the AH BB denizens on their political views so I can compare them to a completely random sample of roughly 1600 Americans from the National Election Studies 2000 Pilot Study (available at http://www.umich.edu/~nes).
The questions I'm asking are taken exactly from the survey, so just answer them without any extra information. I'll need about 30 responses in order to achieve statistical reliability, as fewer than that and extreme responses on any question can cause great variation in the mean of the response category. Thirty is a generally agreed "safe" number. Unfortunately, only responses from American members of the BB will count, as answers from non-Americans could introduce systematic cultural bias into the data. So feel free to answer, but your responses won't be counted in the final analysis. Please answer all questions completely if you decide to respond.
Anyway, when it's all said and done, I'll post the findings to see just how closely the AH BB matches the views and beliefs of a scientifically selected, representative random sample of the American population. Could be interesting. :) Anyway, onward to the poll.
POLL
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
-- Todd/Leviathn
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1 0
2 1
3 moderate
4 closer to Republicans
5 same
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Hmmm... one of these questions certainly doesn't seem to fit... Guns?
What... is that the litmus test?
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1) 5.050148934123
2) 5.050148934124
3) middle
4) independent/libertarian
5) somewhat more difficult
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POLL I take it 0 is the worst/ 100 is the best.
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
30
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
30
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
Slightly liberal
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
American Independent. Somewhat. I find the Democratic party the lesser of two evils.
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
Overall about the same, however I would favor the "Assault Weapons Ban" being eliminated.
Regards,
SaburoS
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1) 010
2) 050
3) Moderate Conservative Views
4) Independant
5) Easier with harsh consequnces for crime
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Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Hmmm... one of these questions certainly doesn't seem to fit... Guns?
What... is that the litmus test?
I see a lot of gun debate and gun-oriented discussions on these forums. As such, I've included that question to measure how close the views here match those of the American public. It seemed like a neat thing to throw in there, and I honestly don't know how the responses here will stack up to the NES survey.
-- Todd/Leviathn
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Originally posted by Dead Man Flying
I'll need about 30 responses in order to achieve statistical reliability, as fewer than that and extreme responses on any question can cause great variation in the mean of the response category.
-- Todd/Leviathn
Hmmm... AFAIK, convenience sample results cannot (or should not) be extrapolated to give results for the population.
I assume that it's okay to compare one statistic to another... not my idea of fun, but what the heck... :)
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Pollwhiner!
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I know... I'm being a wet rag... :)
Just have a very jaded view of opinion polls... :) I blame the media.
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Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Hmmm... AFAIK, convenience sample results cannot (or should not) be extrapolated to give results for the population.
[/B]
If you're referring to the fact that this is a non-random survey, then you're right. But that's the point, actually. I'm curious as to how the kinds of people who read the Aces High forums and respond to polls like this self-selected one compare to the general American population; these will be the people who post here frequently. I am not interested in creating a representative political picture of the AH BB population (nor am I capable of it by this method), since most are lurkers anyway.
I assume that it's okay to compare one statistic to another... not my idea of fun, but what the heck... :)
That's the idea. :) So long as you take it for what it's worth, which of course is just for the entertainment value.
-- Todd/Leviathn
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Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Just have a very jaded view of opinion polls... :) I blame the media.
The National Election Study has been an ongoing project since 1948. Funded by federal grant money, it always utilizes the most scientific polling and question content methods available. Its results are about as scientific as you can get in a poll. Plus, it lacks any sort of political or media agenda since its results are meant purely for academic research.
In other words, quit your whinin'. :D
-- Todd/Leviathn
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Okay... I'll play along...
1) 10
2) 10
3) Liberal
4) Independent
5) Somewhat more difficult
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I'll play too
0
0
Most Preussian
Even more Preussian
No. First they ban machineguns, then they want to take our leather g-strings away.
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guns laws,,were guns are legal you seem to have a lower rate in crime,, japan didnt invade usa after pearl harbor because it was worried about every american having a gun back then,,,,would be like fighting a 200million man army,,lol,,,one major city fully gunned would out number any invading army,,let alone a hole state full of people with guns,,back in the 1940's everyone had a gun
im glad they made it harder to get a gun,,but i dont beleve in banning guns,,would be a big mistake,,and lots of good people would be robbed thats for sure,,because if they take are guns away,,,the criminals will still have there guns,,,because they dont care if its legal or not,,because there criminals!!,,lol,,,they will just be making a whipped dog out of the public,,and total dependent on the goverment to protect there homes
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1) 25
2) 5
3) Liberal
4) Independant
5) Easier
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i have no opinion
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Oh look, a political poll aimed at guaging the views of fellow AHers. And four of the five questions are US-specific. Have you considered that some of us might, just possibly, perhaps, actually live outside the US and not be US citizens?
Sad to say, it's arrogant and parochial behaviour like this that gives Americans a bad name.
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Originally posted by qts
Oh look, a political poll aimed at guaging the views of fellow AHers. And four of the five questions are US-specific. Have you considered that some of us might, just possibly, perhaps, actually live outside the US and not be US citizens?
Sad to say, it's arrogant and parochial behaviour like this that gives Americans a bad name.
You must have skipped the part that stated that the poll these questions are derived from was designed solely for--and whose results are from--Americans. As noted originally, in order for this thread to be accurate only American responses can be accepted. Naturally American oriented questions would be there.
I could give less of a toejam about this poll. But damn, I really hope that the Franco-German's aren't missing the American point of view in the same way that you missed it here.
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[QUOTEPOLL
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
30
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
40
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
slightly conservative
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
Republican
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
A lot more difficult
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1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100) 50
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100) 0
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this? extremely conservative
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party? my category isn't listed, fundamentalist
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult? more difficult, the Justice Department should enforce the current laws they have! However some restrictions over types of guns should be lifted
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1. Democrats: 20
2. Republicants: 0
3. crypto-socialist
4. I won't tell.
5. as difficult as possible while still allowing me to fix 1 and 2. Our constitutional right to revolt must be protected. :)
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Originally posted by qts
Oh look, a political poll aimed at guaging the views of fellow AHers. And four of the five questions are US-specific. Have you considered that some of us might, just possibly, perhaps, actually live outside the US and not be US citizens?
[/B]
Did you even read the introduction to the poll before spouting off?
Sad to say, it's arrogant and parochial behaviour like this that gives Americans a bad name.
Spare us your righteous indignation over statistical mechanics and survey design. Frankly, you're an idiot if you think I'm excluding Europeans due to arrogance.
-- Todd/Leviathn
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yeager said...
"1) 010
2) 050
3) Moderate Conservative Views
4) Independant
5) Easier with harsh consequnces for crime"
I would agree with yeager except I would put "libertarian" in for 3 and 4
DMF... you didn't show your answers.
lazs
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Originally posted by lazs2
DMF... you didn't show your answers.
:D I'm playing the role of politically disinterested researcher, damnit!
-- Todd/Leviathn
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POLL
(1) 35
(2) 40
(3) slightly conservative
(4) Independent, closer to the Republican Party
(5) easier for people to buy a gun, BUT through faster/more accurate enforcement of the laws already on the books that prevent some people from owning guns. A combo answer. ;)
You last question isn't very well structured. Is it right out of the other survey?
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(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
5
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
65
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
conservative
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
Republican
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
Same
(inforce the laws we have)
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Originally posted by Dead Man Flying
POLL
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
30
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
60
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
CONSERVATIVE
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
Closer to the Republican party
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
Easier
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Originally posted by Toad
You last question isn't very well structured. Is it right out of the other survey?
Yep. Well, actually it's a summary coding that represents two separate questions, one measuring the direction of the respondent's beliefs and the other measuring the intensity.
I agree that it's not very well constructed. It attempts to take a multi-dimensional issue (more/less enforcement vs. more/fewer laws) and squash it into a uni-dimensional one for ease of analysis.
My guess is that most people who call for more enforcement of existing laws would be coded as "Same," though that doesn't tell the whole story.
-- Todd/Leviathn
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(1) = 2
(2) = 60
(3) conservative
(4) Republican
(5) Enforce laws already in place
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(http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/images/lahti.jpg)
BTW, that is a LAHTI 20mm cannon. A WWII anti-tank weapon.
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Originally posted by qts
Have you considered that some of us might, just possibly, perhaps, actually live outside the US and not be US citizens?
For now, yeah, you live outside the U.S. Give it time! Mwaahaahaaa!
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whooahh a 20 mm cannon! I wonder if they sell .80 caliber shotgun shells :)
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(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
40
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
45
(The above answers are not based on my political beliefs, but how organized and true to their standards each party is at the moment)[/b]
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
At the moment, truly middle of the road
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
Independent. At most times, agreeing a bit more with the Republicans. But lately on current issues, agreeing more with Democrats, but not much
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
Keep it as it is, but lift restrictions on some kinds of guns and ammunition. Harsher laws for misuse of those guns.
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Originally posted by qts
. Have you considered that some of us might, just possibly, perhaps, actually live outside the US and not be US citizens?
That's because we haven't played cowboy and indians with you guys yet :D
oh yeah, we get to be the cowboys :D
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goob did you have to get a dealers license to order that 20mm? ,,mean gun you got there,,lol
Oh look, a political poll aimed at guaging the views of fellow AHers.
geesh,,i guess he didnt read it all,,,ummmm guess some people just want anothere reason to hate:P,.,lol
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1. 50
2. 50
3. moderate to conservative
4. independent. I vote issues, not parties.
5. freeze gun control legislation untill a federal standard acceptable to all states is adopted. Improve and standardize enforcement. The right to keep and bear arms must be protected.
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POLL
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
0
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
50
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
Conservative
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
Republican
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
Somewhat easier (with stricter enforcement of gun laws and modernization of background checks)
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(1) 0
(2) 0
(3) Moderate
(4) Closer to Republican
(5) Same
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1) 25
2) -1e10 (but you can put me down as 0)
3) lefty-leftist lefter liberal red diaper wearing reconstructed neo-communist (but you can put me down as liberal)
4) not very strong Democrat
5) A lot easier for rifles (ie I think the Assault Weapons ban is uneccessary), somewhat more difficult for handguns
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Thanks to those who've replied so far! I still need more datapoints, so others please feel free to contribute. :)
-- Todd/Leviathn
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Originally posted by qts
And four of the five questions are US-specific. Have you considered that some of us might, just possibly, perhaps, actually live outside the US and not be US citizens?
[/b]
Todd considered it if you would RTFM.
I considered it also, and decided I don't give a toejam. :)
Sad to say, it's arrogant and parochial behaviour like this that gives Americans a bad name.
It's retarded behavior like yours that justifies our arrogant and parochial behavior. :)
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Hoo boy. Yes, I took the trouble to read. Yes, he said it was based on an American poll, but he aimed it at AHers in general. And those who take the trouble to seach my previous posts will find that I'm British and generally pro-American. Hence my disappointment in the OP.
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Originally posted by qts
Hoo boy. Yes, I took the trouble to read. Yes, he said it was based on an American poll, but he aimed it at AHers in general. And those who take the trouble to seach my previous posts will find that I'm British and generally pro-American. Hence my disappointment in the OP.
I'm sorry to hear about your disappointment, but it's still no reason to accuse me of arrogance. You are certainly welcome to answer any of the questions that you wish, but realize that I can't include those responses in my final analysis. The reason for this is methodological; the baseline in European countries is quite different than in America due to cultural differences, so a "moderate" Belgian might be considered "liberal" by American standards. There's just no way to control for that with the very rudimentary analysis I'm going to do, so I'm going to have to exclude non-American responses. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see them, but they won't be counted in my final analysis.
-- Todd/Leviathn
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Originally posted by qts
Hoo boy. Yes, I took the trouble to read. Yes, he said it was based on an American poll, but he aimed it at AHers in general. And those who take the trouble to seach my previous posts will find that I'm British and generally pro-American. Hence my disappointment in the OP.
Who would be reading this board other than folks that play AH?
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Originally posted by Rude
Who would be reading this board other than folks that play AH?
You're not getting away that easily, Rude. Gimme your poll responses!
-- Todd/Leviathn
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I'm over here somewhere,
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Originally posted by Rude
Who would be reading this board other than folks that play AH?
Those soliciting for WWIIOL (The FM's really really real!)
And
Those feeling lonely in IL-2 (The FM's so real the Fw is Uber!)
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1. -50 (that's a negative 50, just to be clear :))
2. 75
3. conservative
4. Republican
5. same
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POLL
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
-100
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
-100
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
American, those pathetic labels have been twisted and spun so much they have no meaning.
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
Libertarian, the only difference between a Democrat or Republican politician is their rhetoric.
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
The federal government should have no say what so ever in any gun related matter.
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Need about ten more responses. :)
-- Todd/Leviathn
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POLL
(1) How would you rate the Democratic Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
60
(2) How would you rate the Republican Party (on a scale of 0 to 100)
70
(3) When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as extremely liberal, liberal, slightly liberal; moderate or middle of the road, slightly conservative, conservative, extremely conservative, or haven't you thought much about this?
slightly conservative
(4) Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Would you call yourself a strong Democrat/Republican or a not very strong Democrat/ Republican? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic party?
I would say slightly Republican (however I think Clinton did a good job on the economy)
(5) Do you think the federal government should make it more difficult for people to buy a gun than it is now, make it easier for people to buy a gun, or keep these rules about the same as they are now? A lot easier/more difficult or somewhat easier/more difficult?
About the same (but make penelties for using a gun in a crime more harsh)