Gerrymandering. This is how they win elections in the House, where, at the end of the day, they gain their power to engage in stunts like this.

As a liberal type coming from both a fairly conservative family background, as well as a far-left Ph.D. program in the humanities, I am inclined to agree with you. This country as a whole is fairly conservative (at least by left-wing activist standards), and if you want to accomplish anything beyond rallying the folks…

Of course, but a little impression management in the activist circles can go a long way. I say this coming from a humanities Ph.D. program populated with privileged, self-identified radical activists who were basically walking caricatures. The extent of some folk's total lack of self-awareness about the messages their…

I believe it. I seriously think it has to do with the stigma attached to identity politics. This country is really pretty traditional and socially conservative, and being/seeming anti-establishment is construed as "impolite," threatening, strange, etc.

Anecdotally I can relate to this, unfortunately. My family and extended family is fairly conservative and conventional, and words like "feminist," "environmentalist," "Marxist," etc. evoke exactly the type of reactions outlined in this study. The mindset is interesting. All of these people are liberals, so if you…

Similar coding. "I am not a hick/redneck/white trash, etc."

If you look through articles like this, I guarantee you will see at least one "melt all of the guns" type of comment. I agree that the "gun nut" types are worse, but bloodofthematador is correct to point out that the issue can become starkly polarized.

I don't think that this argument moves the anti-choice crowd, unfortunately. My sense is that they are motivated by religious zeal, and believe that abortion must not be legal, as having an "immoral" law would violate God's will. I don't think that pragmatics work. :(