Public Opinion On 15 Controversial and Divisive Issues

NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Harris Poll asks the public whether they support or oppose 15 issues that are often politically divisive. The largest majorities are those who support cutting government spending (87%),  increased educational spending (81%), deporting more illegal aliens (76%), stricter environmental protection (75%), and no tax increases (74%).   The issues on which the public is most evenly split are same sex marriage (51% support), the recent health care reform (53% oppose), cutting defense spending (54% support), and stricter gun control (56% support).  

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A comparison of the attitudes of Republicans and Democrats, finds the widest differences (i.e. the greatest polarization) on the recent health care reform bill (supported by 78% of Democrats but only 16% of Republicans), same sex marriage (supported by 66% of Democrats and 24% of Republicans), cutting defense spending (supported by 70% of Democrats and 30% of Republicans), and stricter environmental protection (supported by 90% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans).

When asked which two of these would be most likely to influence how people will vote, the issues that topped the list were cutting government spending (38%), no tax increases (26%) and the recent health care reform bill (26%).

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,462 adults surveyed online between September 12 and 19, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

What issues are most important to Republicans?

The largest majorities of Republicans favor cutting government spending (95%), deporting more illegal aliens (90%), less government regulation (89%), no tax increases (88%), off-shore drilling (87%), prayer in school (86%), and reducing immigration (82%).

When asked which two of these issues would be most important when deciding whom to vote for, the largest numbers of Republicans mentioned cutting government spending (51%), no tax increases (30%), the recent health care reform bill (24%), less government regulation (20%) and deporting more illegal aliens (19%).

What issues are most important to Democrats?

The largest majorities of Democrats support increased educational spending (91%), stricter environmental protection (90%), embryonic stem cell research (85%), abortion rights (79%) and the recent health care reform bill (78%).

In terms of voting, the issues that are most important to Democrats are the health care reform bill (29%), increased educational spending (27%), no tax increases (26%) and cutting government spending (23%).

What issues are most important to Tea-Party supporters?

The opinions of Tea-Party supporters are similar to those of Republicans but the numbers are higher.  Almost all Tea Party supporters favor cutting government spending (97%), deporting more illegal aliens (91%), less government regulation (90%), no tax increases (90%), off shore drilling (86%) prayer in school (85%) and they oppose the health care reform bill (85%).

The issues they care most about, when it comes to voting: cutting government spending (51%), no tax increases (31%), the health care reform bill (27%) and less government regulation (22%).

What Republican issues attract many Democratic supporters?

The poll reveals several issues where the traditional conservative and Republican positions appeal to most Democrats – cutting government spending (76%), no tax increases (63%), deporting more illegal aliens (62%), reducing immigration (60%), less government regulation (57%), prayer in schools (57%) and off-shore drilling (52%).

What Democratic issues attract many Republican supporters?

There are fewer traditional liberal or Democratic issues that appeal to most Republicans, although a few are: increased educational spending (71%), embryonic stem cell research (56%) and stricter environmental protection (56%).

Where do Independents stand on these issues?

Independents are split on these issues. On eight of the listed issues a majority of Independents favor the Conservative position – 92% favor cutting government spending, 80% favor deporting more illegal aliens and 73% favor no tax increases.   But on seven of the issues majorities of Independents favor the Liberal positions – 80% favor increased educational spending, 79% favor embryonic stem cell research and 77% favor stricter environmental protection.

So what?

This Harris Poll identifies many issues that can, and surely will, be hotly debated in both the Republican primary elections and in the general election. The views of Tea Party supporters will surely have a big impact on the Republican nomination.  And, both parties will use some of these issues to attract Independents and swing voters.

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between September 12 and 19, 2011 among 2,462 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

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The Harris Poll® #104, October 4, 2011

By Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, The Harris Poll

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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SOURCE Harris Interactive

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