Conservative or Liberal?
In 2006 there was a significant gap between political attitudes of ELCA clergy and laity.  Among laity, political attitudes were roughly evenly-split between political liberals and conservatives, with nearly half of all respondents self-identifying as “moderate,” “somewhat liberal,” or “somewhat conservative.”  ELCA clergy were predominantly liberal, with not a single respondent in 2006 self-identifying as “extremely conservative.”  By 2009, attitudes among ELCA clergy shifted further to the political left:  Fewer self-identified as moderates, while an additional 6% self-identified as “liberal” or “extremely liberal.

Democrat or Republican?
“Liberal” and “Conservative” self-identification typically parallels party self-identification.  In 2006, ELCA lay members split evenly between “Democrat” and “Republican” in self-identification (43% Democrat/44% Republican), while clergy trended strongly Democrat (64% Democrat/23% Republican).  By 2009 ELCA clergy drifted even further to the political left:  7% more self-identified as “Strong Democrat,” while the number of ELCA clergy self-identifying as Democrat increased to 69%.  Republican self-identification dropped by 4%, to just 19% of all ELCA clergy.

Voting Trends
We asked ELCA clergy and laity who they voted for in presidential elections starting in 1980.  ELCA clergy have increasingly voted Democrat, with nearly 8 in 10 voting for Barack Obama in 2008.  Meanwhile, while only 44% of ELCA laity self-identify as Republican, a majority vote for Republican candidates in presidential elections (about half voted for George W. Bush in both 2000 and 2004).

Health Care
Attitudes have shifted since 2006 among ELCA clergy in favor of government-sponsored health insurance.  In response to the statement, “We need government-sponsored national health insurance so that everyone can receive adequate medical care,” nearly half of all ELCA clergy (44%) in 2009 strongly agreed.  Lay attitudes roughly parallel clerical attitudes. 

Gay Rights
While ELCA laity are conflicted about gay rights, clergy are solidly supportive.  In response to the statement, “Homosexuals should have all the same rights and privileges as other Americans,” nearly 9 in 10 ELCA clergy agreed, while nearly 4 in 10 of ELCA lay members either disagreed or were unsure. 

War in Iraq
Attitudes among ELCA clergy on the war in Iraq have not changed much since 2006.  When asked to respond to the statement, “The war in Iraq was fully justified,” 80% disagreed in 2006.  By late 2009 that number jumped to 84%.