New Right in American Politics

Report Outline
Surge of Conservative Sentiment
Conservatism in Historic Context
Rise of Special Interest Politics
Special Focus

Surge of Conservative Sentiment

Movement of Voters Toward the Right

On Aug. 2, Rep. Philip M. Crane, R-Ill., became the first major party candidate to declare himself in the running for the 1980 presidential election. Crane, who is chairman of the American Conservative Union, said his campaign for the Republican nomination would be “a commitment to free people from excessive government” and unreasonable taxation. If Crane's name is not exactly a household word, his message struck a familiar chord. In a new wave of conservative sentiment — epitomized by the current “taxpayers' revolt” — a growing number of citizens across the country are voicing the same demands.

Although the swing to the right is something less than an organized action, conservative candidates and causes appear to be gaining voter support as the Nov. 7 general election approaches. Conservatives have won over liberals or moderates in recent primary elections in Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey. People are expressing “real anger,” said Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who lost his bid for renomination to conservative Democrat Edward J. King.

Dissatisfaction among voters covers a broad range of complaints from forced school busing and legalized abortions to reverse discrimination and homosexual rights. The aim of conservative strategists is to mobilize people unhappy over these and other issues into a nationwide coalition. In the past, liberals have discounted such efforts. However, recent opinion polls suggest that claims of a popular shift to conservatism should not be taken lightly.