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Alienated Business Voters Ditching GOP

'The party left me' says one; poll, donations show eroding support

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 2, 2007 2:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – Disappointed fiscal conservatives are less likely than ever to vote Republican, the Wall Street Journal reports, despite the GOP's designation as the pro-business party for more than a century. The Iraq war, ballooning debt, and right-wing social policy have all turned off business leaders—and as fiscal conservatives' support for Republicans wanes, the Democrats are moving in.

Three years ago 44% of white-collar professionals called themselves Republican; now the figure is 37%. With no less than Alan Greenspan blasting the GOP for its economic irresponsibility, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on eroding support. They still aren't winning over longtime Republicans as party converts, but they are winning their money—Democratic presidential candidates are out-raising GOP counterparts by some 70%.

Republican presidential hopeful, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, left, talks with Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, during a break in the GOP debate sponsored by Fox News at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H. Wednesday Sept. 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, left, talks with Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, during a break in the GOP debate sponsored...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopefuls, from left, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.; Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Sen. Sam Brownback R-Kan.; and Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. arrive on stage for a Republican presidential...
Republican presidential hopefuls, from left, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.; Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Massachusetts Gov....   (Associated Press)
The logo of the Republican Party.
The logo of the Republican Party.   (GOP)
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