Have Americans actually changed (more than the 3% Bush won by), or is it that the GOP has moved further to the right? Some interesting numbers... Percentage of voters identifying themselves as "conservative." 2004 - 34% 2000 - 29% 1996 - 33% In 2004, voters identified themselves as 37% - Republican 37% - Democrat 26% - Independent In 2000, voters identified themselves as 35% - Republican 39% - Democrat 26% - Independent - Natl Election Pool exit survey. In that same survey, 22% cited "moral values" as their top voting issue. But "Moral/ethical values" also topped the list of "most important issues" in LA Times exit polls in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Presumably voters in 1996 were not concerned about gay marriage. Percentage of electorate identified as evangelical Christians 2004 - 23% 2000 - 23% Percentage of evangelical Christians who voted for Bush 2004 - 78% 2000 - 72% - Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
