I said it must have been said before, and I was right — by me and a lot of others. Reader David M. sends this along:

Some references: Uncle Ho, in Daily Kos, May 2006: “The Black and Hispanic Voters who switched over to vote for Bush were also LARGELY Socially conservative but FISCALLY liberal DEMOCRATS…. e-thePeople, Dec 2004: “…’Compassionate Conservatism’ which he defined as socially conservative but fiscally liberal…” Derb’s query, Oct 2003: “Jonah (or anybody): Has there ever been a politician who proudly claimed to be socially conservative but fiscally liberal? If not, why not?” Jonah’s reply: “Rick – Casey IS — or was — a good example of a social conservative and fiscal liberal.” Zogby, Aug 2001: “The Zogby study found virtual overlap in views, irrespective of political party affiliation, going against the grain of conventional wisdom, by demonstrating that ethnic Americans were socially conservative but fiscally liberal.” Cheers,