Republicans: Still Happy Campers

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Republicans: Still Happy Campers

Chin up, Republicans. Despite the imploding stock market, the looming recession, the unpopular president and the dismal political polls, there's very good news in the one realm of life that's always been a special sanctuary for you.

Some 37% of you say you're "very happy" with your lives, compared with just 25% of Democrats who feel the same way, according to a new nationwide Pew Research Center survey conducted from Oct. 3 through Oct. 19—a period that's witnessed a race to the bottom between John McCain's poll numbers and the public's 401(k) account balances.

This big GOP edge in life's happiness sweepstakes is not a new phenomenon. Ever since the General Social Survey first asked the question in 1972, Republicans have always been happier than Democrats. But the current gap is among the largest on record.

What accounts for it? And how has it been able to withstand this fall's avalanche of unhappy political news for the GOP?

Read the full report Republicans: Still Happy Campers on the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends Web site.

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