Conservative or Liberal?
Unlike the ELCA, there is almost no gap between clergy and laity political self-identification.  77% of LCMS laity in 2006 self-identified as “conservative,” while 80% of LCMS clergy did so in 2009.  A majority in both categories self-identify as “conservative,” as opposed to “strongly conservative” or “somewhat conservative.” 

Democrat or Republican?
“Liberal” and “Conservative” self-identification typically parallels party self-identification.  77% of laity in the LCMS self-identified as “conservative” and 76% self-identified as “Republican.”  80% of clergy in the LCMS self-identified as “conservative” and 81% self-identified as Republican.  However, between 2006 and 2009 there was a slight shift in the strength of party identification among clergy.  42% of clergy in 2006 called themselves “Strong Republican,” while only 37% did so in 2009 (the remaining 5% shifted into “Weak Republican” or “Independent Republican” categories). 

Voting Trends
Since 1980 LCMS voters – clergy and laity – have consistently voted Republican.  Since 1992 the trend-line among voters has been to the right:  17% of eligible LCMS laity voted for Bill Clinton in 1992, while just 15% voted for John Kerry in 2004.  Among clergy, support for Republican candidates has been even more consistent.  Just 7% voted for Michael Dukakis in 1988, while 9% voted for John Kerry in 2004.  However, there was a marked shift in the 2008 presidential election.  5% fewer LCMS clergy voted Republican, with John McCain netting 83% of LCMS clergy and Barack Obama receiving 14% of the clerical vote.

Health Care
While attitudes have shifted since 2006 among ELCA clergy in favor of government-sponsored health insurance, they have shifted firmly in the opposite direction among LCMS clergy.  The number of LCMS clergy disagreeing with the statement, “We need government-sponsored national health insurance so that everyone can receive adequate medical care,” jumped by nearly twenty percentage points in the three years since we first asked the question (2006).

Gay Rights
Not much has changed regarding LCMS attitudes on gay rights.  Over half of LCMS respondents – clergy and laity – either disagree or strongly disagree with the statement, “Homosexuals should have all the same rights and privileges as other Americans.” 

War in Iraq
Attitudes among LCMS clergy on the war in Iraq have changed slightly since 2006.  When asked to respond to the statement, “The war in Iraq was fully justified,” 57% agreed in 2006.  By 2009, just 47% agreed.