One recent poll shows that democrats and republicans can agree on one thing. The country is not on the right track. However, they do not disagree with the issues, well at least the issues their party leaders believe are important.
Is the country on the right track?
In the Harvard CPAS Harris Poll, some democrats may believe that they are more in touch with the average American than republicans. However, this poll shows that there may be some distance between the two groups on some of the country’s most important issues.
Less than a third of voters say the country is on the “right track.” The majority of Republicans and independents agree that the country is heading in the wrong direction, with 86% and 81%, respectively. Whereas 55% of Democrats believe that the country is on the “right track.” Combined, 63% of those polled believe that the country is on the wrong track.
What are the top issues?
What are the top five issues facing the country that keeps us off of the right track? From the polling data, inflation is the top with 37% of the respondents. Economy and jobs (29%), immigration (23%), crime and drugs (18%), and women’s rights (17%), round out the rest.
We always discuss following the money, so let’s follow the rhetoric. Which issues does the party leadership spend the most time on? The Republican leadership has been focused on immigration. Inflation, and the economy and jobs. The Democratic leadership has been fixated on January 6th, women’s rights, and climate change. NOTE: Before anyone gets offended by my use of focused and fixated, I feel that all the above issues are important, I am just pointing out the time and effort that is going into each of the issues.
According to the Pew Research Center, seven in ten Americans view inflation as the biggest problem in the country. A whopping 84% of Republicans and those who identify as Republican-leaning independents believe that inflation is a significant problem in America. A slimmer majority of Democrats and those who lean Democrat (57%) see inflation as the biggest issue.
Compared to Republicans, 63% of Democrats think climate change is a pressing problem that requires attention. In contrast with Democrats, a much higher percentage of Republicans view illegal immigration as a very big problem (65% vs. 19%).
Energy is the biggest issue! Right?
One area that I thought was interesting was the discussion of the Biden administration’s energy and gas policies. 81% of Democrats supported the policies, while 83% of Republicans opposed the policies. What is interesting about that? I am a political and policy junkie. If I were asked what the administration’s energy and gas policies are, I could give you a list of goals and objectives, but outside of those listed in the Inflation Reduction Act, it would be hard for me actually to list the policies. It shows that people are either very informed or they are being told what the policies are by their party leadership. I tend not to think it is the informed portion of the equation, a quick Google search was all that it took to see where the opinions came from.
- Biden’s Radical, Anti-Fossil Fuel Energy Policy Costs – Heritage Organization
- 25 Biden policies raising gas prices and other energy costs – Americans For Prosperity
- Biden Makes Sweeping Changes to Oil and Gas Policy – Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Biden’s Policies Will Prolong the Energy Crisis, Oil and Gas – Business Insider
This was quick proof that the Republican’s strategic communication operations were outpacing the Democrats. When given a choice between lower gasoline prices and energy independence or higher gasoline prices and climate change, 80% wanted to focus on lower prices. The poll is flawed when it links gasoline prices with energy independence and gasoline prices with climate change. The country can be energy independent with lower gasoline prices while protecting the environment, it is not an either-or proposition. On a side note, I wish the poll would have asked if Americans would be okay with $ 7-gallon gas prices to continue to support Ukraine against Russia, but that is a follow on article.
Who is right?
Americans on both sides of the aisle do not believe the country is on the right track. The GOP leadership is acting on what they believe their constituents think are the issues at hand or plainly informing them of the current situation and trying to convince them that they’re the only party that can provide a solution. Inflation and gas prices are a no-brainer. Both are something that Americans deal with daily, so little convincing is necessary; however, the cause and solutions are more difficult to develop. However, immigration, crime, and voter fraud are slogans developed to excite their base.
The left? They focus on the ‘clear and present danger‘ of former President Trump and Trumpian candidates. Democrats of looking for a more long-term strategy than the immediate issues. The Democratic leadership does not have to message this to the left, they are already in agreement.
The Shape of Elections to Come
The 2022 and 2024 elections are going to be interesting. Democrats will vote for their candidate, and Republicans will vote for theirs. I do not see many cross-over votes. Whichever party has the greatest turnout is going to be the victor. This will be a challenge for each of the parties. Next week will be a prime example during the Georgia Senate election. Will Republicans be excited to come to the polls to vote for a very weak candidate like Herschel Walker, or will they just stay home?
This election is not going to be about issues, it is going to be about which party can turn out its voters. The Democrats have a much better chance of doing that. The Republicans are going to have to do some serious soul-searching and decide if they want to continue down the path of former President Trump or if they want to find a new leader that can bring the party together. My guess is that they will choose the latter, but only time will tell.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
