Gallup is out with a new poll showing that 40 percent of the public identified as “conservative” in 2009. The percentage of self-identified “liberals” stood at 21 percent. Moderates dropped four points, to 36 percent.

Where did the growth in conservatives come from? According to Gallup, the percentage of independents identifying as “conservative” rose from 30 percent to 35 percent. Independents have moved away from the Democrats as the party has veered left.