Poll: GOP voters want a more conservative party

The vast majority of Republican voters in America think the GOP needs to make a change.

According to a new Pew poll, most Republican voters say their party must address major problems to be more competitive in future elections. However, changing its message isn't enough -- nearly 60% of Republicans think the party needs to reconsider some of its policy positions.

(Image: Pew)

What positions in particular?

The majority (54%) believe the party should head in a more conservative direction, compared to 40% who think it should be more moderate. Among key issues, gay marriage is the source of the most division, with 33% saying the party's current stance is just right; 31% say it's "too conservative"; and 27% say it's "not conservative enough."

Another issue that divides Republican voters is immigration reform: 38% support the party's current position, but 36% think the party needs to take a more conservative stand on the issue.

And when it comes to government spending, more Republican voters think the party is "not conservative enough" than agree with the its current position. In other words, it seems that the Tea Party's focus on cutting debt and the deficit are resonating with the GOP's base more than any other issue and Republicans in Washington should take note.

Gun policy was the only issue polled which found a majority of Republicans (58%) content with the party's current position.

The poll also found that voters don't see any single leader of the party at this point and their views of various well-known Republicans vary:

(Image: Pew)