Just 57% of Voters Know That The Political “Right” Refers to Conservatives

Posted on December 30, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Just 57% of voters know that the political right refers to conservatives. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 15% mistakenly believe it refers to liberals and 28% are not sure.

This highlights the disconnect frequently found between the language of the political elite and the language of everyday Americans. If a politician speaks of the “political right,” just over half of the nation’s voters understand the reference. It’s also likely that some (perhaps many) of the 57% who answered correctly are less than certain of the answer.

When it comes to knowing the meaning of the political right, Republicans are more aware than Democrats or Independents. White and Hispanic voters are more likely than black voters to answer correctly.

In many ways, to paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, the political elite and the rest of America are two nations separated by a common language. For pollsters, this creates a challenge. If you ask a question in the language of the political elite, it may be interpreted much differently by the survey respondents. The real danger, however, comes when the political elites fail to recognize this barrier.

For example, to the political elite, socialism is a term loosely reflecting the views of politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. However, few voters see it that way. Among those who say they like socialism, only a third believes it means a more powerful role for government and higher taxes.

Additionally, nearly half the nation’s voters don’t know what would happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned. That makes it difficult to place any value on polls showing support or opposition to that court ruling.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question:

In political dialogue, people sometimes refer to political activists as being on the Left or the Right. If somebody is a political conservative, are they on the Left or the Right?

15% Left

57% Right

28% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 6-8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

65% Say U.S. More Divided and Polarized Than Ever Before

Posted on December 30, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty five percent (65%) of voters believe the United States is more divided and polarized today than at any previous time in history. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 18% disagree and 17% are not sure.

That is quite a staggering perception given the violence and unrest of the 1960s and the Civil War in the 1860s. It may be partially attributable to social media platforms that make just about all Americans aware that others vehemently disagree with their world view.

Additionally, the federal government plays a much larger role in the lives of everyday Americans than ever before. A system that requires one-size-fits-all rules applied in every corner of the nation is more likely to highlight differences than a system allowing state and local governments to offer alternatives.

Finally, of course, any question comparing our time to previous generations is subject to the tyranny of now. All generations tend to see their time on earth as uniquely challenging. On top of that, the passions of today’s disagreements seem far more vivid than those we read about in history books.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Question:

Is the United States today more divided and polarized than at any previous time in history?

65% Yes

18% No

17% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 16-17, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

65% More Interested In Economic Issues More Than Cultural Issues.

Posted on December 9, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters are more interested in economic issues than cultural issues. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 19% take the opposite view and 16% are not sure.

Most voters (55%) also believe that Republican politicians and activists are more interested in economic issues. Only 21% believe the GOP has more interest in cultural issues.

However, when it comes to Democratic politicians and activists, voters are evenly divided. Thirty-eight percent (38%) believe those in President Biden’s party are more interested in cultural issues. Thirty-seven percent (37%) think economic issues are the top priority for Democrats.

Independent voters, by a 38% to 29% margin, tend to see Democrats as more interested in cultural issues. These unaffiliated voters see Republicans as primarily interested in economic issues by a 47% to 17% margin.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Question 1:

Are Democratic politicians and activists more interested in economic issues or cultural issues?

37% Economic issues

38% Cultural issues

25% Not sure

Question 2:

Okay, are Republican politicians and activists more interested in economic issues or cultural issues?

55% Economic issues

21% Cultural issues

25% Not sure

Question 3:

What about you? Generally speaking, are you more interested in economic issues or cultural issues?

65% Economic issues

19% Cultural issues

16% Not sure

Methodology

Voters Say Highest Loyalty Owed to Family & Faith Rather Than Government

Posted on October 2, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

In the event of conflicts, 45% of voters say their highest loyalty is to family. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 20% said their highest loyalty goes to their faith or religion while 18% said it’s to themselves.

Twelve percent (12%) place the federal government as tops, 3% say their state government, and 2% their employer.

As on many issues, those with a postgraduate degree have a decidedly different perspective. Among voters with such high levels of formal education, 32% name family as their top priority followed closely by the federal government.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

36% Likely to Attend Event Commemorating 9/11 Anniversary

Posted on September 9, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Saturday will be the 20^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Thirty-six percent (36%) of voters say they are at least somewhat likely to attend a memorial service or other public event to commemorate the anniversary. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that most voters (54%) are unlikely to attend such an event.

The total includes 18% who are Very Likely to attend an event commemorating that tragic day. Twenty-eight percent (28%) are Not at All Likely to do so.

Those likely to attend include 39% of Democrats, 34% of Independents, and 33% of Republicans.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

52% Oppose Climate Conservation Corps Energy Audits; 31% Like the Idea

Posted on September 8, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

One Green New Deal related proposal in the Democrats’ proposed reconciliation spending bill is a plan for the federal government to hire 750,000 workers who would visit people’s homes to conduct an energy audit. When initially asked about that plan, a Scott Rasmussen national survey found 37% of voters at least somewhat favor the idea and 48% are at least somewhat opposed,

However, the plan does not call for the federal government to directly employ workers who would conduct the energy audits, Instead, the legislative proposal would provide funding for groups of environmental activists to hire people. Just 31% favor that idea and 52% are opposed.

Those totals include 13% who Strongly Favor the idea and 37% who are Strongly Opposed. Opposition to the plan is somewhat stronger among those most motivated to vote in the midterm elections.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of urban voters favor the hiring plan for energy audits. Just 27% of suburban voters share that view along with only 22% of rural voters.

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration proposed a door-to-door campaign to convince the unvaccinated to get the COVID vaccine. That, too, was unpopular with voters–especially the target audience.

In both cases, a majority of Democrats supported the door-to-door outreach. But Republicans and Independents opposed it. When it comes to the Climate Conservation Corps plan for paying 750,000 people to conduct home energy audits, 58% of Democrats favor the idea. Just 19% of Independents and 14% of Republicans agree.

Looked at from the opposite perspective, 78% of Republicans oppose the plan. So do 53% of Independents. Among Democrats, 26% are opposed.

These numbers provide yet another example of similarities between the Biden Administration today and the Carter Administration of the 1970s. It appears as if Democrats see these 750,000 workers as helping ordinary Americans. Republicans and Independent voters connect more with President Reagan’s view: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from September 2-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 151 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

44% of Hispanic Voters See Themselves As Hispanic

Posted on September 3, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Just 44% of voters that the Census Bureau would define as Hispanic define themselves that way. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that, given a range of options, 22% define themselves as White, 17% as American, 6% as Black, 6% as Mixed, and 4% as Asian.

This data highlights the reality that racial and ethnic categories are not nearly as clear cut as political analysts often suggest.

Overall, 47% of voters nationwide define themselves as White; 31% say American; 11% Black; 5% Hispanic; 2% Asian; 2% Mixed; and, 2% Other.

This particular survey first asked questions about race and ethnicity in the same manner as the Census Bureau. Later, we asked respondents how they defined themselves. Similar research efforts suggest that the children and grandchildren of Hispanic immigrants tend to identify more with America as their home rather than their Hispanic heritage.

The Census Bureau asks people if they are of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin and then ask a follow up question about their race. As a result, there are roughly 40 million people with some Hispanic ancestors who identify their race as White. A smaller number of voters labeled Hispanic identify their race as Black.

For anyone seeking to learn more about this topic, The Great Demographic Illusion by Richard Alba is an invaluable resource. Alba points out that many people now considered White were considered minorities in the 20th century. That includes Italians, Irish, Jews and many others. He also points out that people from Mexico were counted as White until 1980.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from August 26-29, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 236 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

22% Discuss Politics Daily With Family and Friends, 50% Discuss Politics No More Than Once a Week

Posted on September 1, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Twenty-two percent (22%) of Registered Voters discuss politics every day or nearly every day with their immediate family and close friends. However, a Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 11% have such daily discussions with people outside their circle of family and friends.

At the other end of the spectrum, 50% of voters talk politics with family and close friends once a week or less. Sixty-eight percent (68%) have such discussions with others no more than once a week.

Those totals include 18% who rarely or never discuss politics with family and friends along with 28% who don’t discuss politics with others.

Voters who prefer Trump-like policies discuss politics more often than other voters.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

58% of Registered Voters are Very Motivated to Cast a Ballot in 2022

Posted on August 30, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Registered Voters feel Very Motivated to cast a ballot in next year’s midterm elections. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that another 21% are Somewhat Motivated to participate next year.

Voters who prefer policies like those of former President Trump have a higher level of motivation than others. Seventy percent (70%) of the populist voters are Very Motivated. Among the smaller number who prefer traditional Republican politics, just 50% are that motivated.

On the other side of the aisle, 61% of those who prefer Traditional Democratic policies are Very Motivated. So are 60% of those who prefer policies like those of Senator Bernie Sanders.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.