Us Weekly is reporting that ABC will not be renewing the contract of Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the token Republican on The View since 2003. More surprising than her dismissal, however, is the reason an unnamed source gave for Hasselbeck’s dismissal: viewers don’t like her conservative voice. Market research has reportedly revealed that she is not appealing or popular to viewers anymore (if she ever was).

“The viewers they polled all said she was too extreme and right wing,” the insider told Us Weekly. “People did not watch the show because of Elisabeth. So they told her yesterday her contract would not be renewed.”

However, when called by Us, a rep from The View said in a statement:

“Elisabeth Hasselbeck is a valued member of The View and has a long term contract.”

Reports consistently say she is out, but I suppose we have to wait for the official announcement from ABC.

Hasselbeck’s reported dismissal is shocking to many, but as we stop and think about it, it’s right on time and in line with the subtle shift that has been steadily occurring in our country. Judging from the panic of high-profile Republicans, and from that of my own Republican friends, it does appear the conservative right is *very* concerned about losing its foothold. But are we really becoming more liberal as a nation? Research suggests that we are.





An informal survey via SodaHead shows that 64% of the 55 people who completed the poll believe that we are moderate but that the right is slowly dying. The comments in the thread seem to be primarily made up of some serious hard-right denial. OK, but this is just a little informal poll on a website, right? I mean, you can’t believe EVERYTHING on the internet. Is there any better data out there? Of course there is or I’d not be writing this article. Let’s tackle it and see what we can find.

From November 28 – December 3, 2012, Quinnipiac University polled 1,949 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points. Live interviews were conducted via land lines and cell phones. The results give some startling evidence that we are on a steady path to becoming more liberal as a collective. From the study:

1) Voters favor the legalization of marijuana 51 – 44 percent with a substantial gender and age gap.

Men support legalization 59 – 36 percent

Women are opposed 52 – 44 percent

50 percent of white voters back legislation

57 percent of black voters back legalization

Voters 18 to 29 years old support legalization 67 – 29 percent

Voters over age 65 are opposed 56 – 35 percent

Voters 30 to 44 years old support legalization 58 – 39 percent

Voters 45 to 64 years old are divided 48 – 47 percent

2) The survey found that only 47 – 41 percent of those polled believe that David Petraeus was right to resign as director of the Central Intelligence Agency after admitting to an extramarital affair.

3) On the controversy over the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, 47 percent of voters believe the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became available, while 41 percent think the administration deliberately misled the public.

4) On same-sex marriage, the biggest change over the past four years has been among men. In 2008, they opposed gay marriage 61 – 31 percent. Now they oppose it 50 – 43 percent, a 23-point shift over the past four years.

5) Women, who opposed same-sex marriage 51 – 40 percent in 2008, now back it 52 – 42 percent, a shift of 21 points. White Protestants are opposed 63 – 32 percent. [no surprise there]

6) Voters 18- to 29-years-old support same-sex marriage 63 – 35 percent. [GOP, I’ve been telling you this, but if you keep ignoring me, I’ll be delighted.]

7) Hurricane Sandy: 53 – 37 percent of voters believe that climate change did not cause the storm, but broken down, the numbers are more telling:

Breakdown of who believes the storm was caused by climate change:

14 percent of Republicans

37 percent of independent

55 percent of Democrats

Men say no 57 – 35 percent

Women say no 49 – 39 percent

8) Are people concerned about global warming, though? Yes, but the shift isn’t as big as that on the issues of same-sex marriage and immigration.

36% “very concerned”

30% were “somewhat concerned”

15% were “not too concerned”

19% were “not concerned”

9) By 70 – 26 percent, voters support the Dream Act, which will allow young immigrants to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

10) Immigration reform is largely favored by voters:

57% of voters believe undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship

26 percent say they should be deported

11 percent say they should be allowed to stay with no path to citizenship

[How many “I told you so’s” to the GOP am I allowed in this article?]

The only liberal issue that shows no left movement is abortion. A May 2012 Gallup poll indicates that people are moving further to center on abortion; 50 percent of people are calling themselves pro-life (only 33 percent in 1995). People definitely support birth control – 89% of Americans think that it is acceptable and needed [that’s right, Rick Santorum and Paul Ryan, so back away].

The general conclusion is that those polled within the 18-29 age group had more liberal views on issues than did people in older age groups, with a systematic progression of more conservative views as age levels got higher. This should come as no surprise to anyone. It’s directly in line with countless studies (and just plain common sense) and mirrors what has been pointed out even by young Republicans. They’re just not on board with hard right policies. These are the future voters, folks, and I think we can count on our progressive agenda to continue moving forward.

One thing is clear, however. Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s not alone in being unpopular. People just really don’t want to hear the conservative bigotry, distrust, fear-mongering, and hate anymore; even common sense Republicans are increasingly embarrassed by the nut-job right-wing entertainers. Whatever people’s personal opinions are on the issues, most are coming to agreement on one thing: mind your own business; don’t hate; live and let live.

To view the raw data, you can visit the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute website. A Word document is also available for download.

Watch video of Tim Malloy, Assistant Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, discuss the poll:

I am an unapologetic member of the Christian Left, and have spent a lot of time working with “the least of these” and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. I’m passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics I discuss, subscribe to my public updates on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me via LinkedIn. I also have a grossly neglected blog. Find me somewhere and let’s discuss stuff.