Gallup reports:

Conservatives have maintained their leading position among U.S. ideological groups in the first half of 2010. Gallup finds 42% of Americans describing themselves as either very conservative or conservative. This is up slightly from the 40% seen for all of 2009 and contrasts with the 20% calling themselves liberal or very liberal. … The 42% identifying as conservative represents a continuation of the slight but statistically significant edge conservatives achieved over moderates in 2009. Should that figure hold for all of 2010, it would represent the highest annual percentage identifying as conservative in Gallup’s history of measuring ideology with this wording, dating to 1992.

And independents, whom Obama was able to draw into the Democratic camp in 2008, are also leaning right: “Independents today are slightly more likely to say they are moderate than conservative, with fewer than 20% identifying as liberal. While this is similar to 2009, it represents an increase in conservatism among this group since 2008.”

It is hard to imagine that this would have been possible without the leftist overreach by Obama and his congressional allies. Presenting Americans with a vivid picture of liberal statism, the Democrats have dismayed and alarmed the electorate. It now recalls why limited government, low taxes, and a robust foreign policy are desirable. In November voters will have the chance to elect lawmakers more in tune with their growing appreciation for conservatism.