PUBLIC OPINION > The Economy Will Overshadow Social Issues in 2012 Election
SodaHead News
2012/02/23 23:43:08
We're hardly two months into the year, and it already feels like election season has been underway for an eternity. The Republican primary is winding down a bit, but it's still too soon to call anything. Now people are starting to look toward November, when President Obama will try to protect his office from the chosen Republican candidate, and both parties are stacking their decks.
Because of the recession, the economy has been at the forefront of the political landscape, but social issues (same-sex marriage, illegal immigration, abortion, drug laws) could take the spotlight at any time. Shepard Smith polled the public on whether they think social issues or the economy will dominate the election.
Because of the recession, the economy has been at the forefront of the political landscape, but social issues (same-sex marriage, illegal immigration, abortion, drug laws) could take the spotlight at any time. Shepard Smith polled the public on whether they think social issues or the economy will dominate the election.
Bigger Topic in the General Election: Social Issues or the Economy?
77% Think the Economy Will Be a Bigger Topic
The economy has been the biggest issue of the season so far. Why should it be any different in the general election? There are, of course, important debates in both fields, but the economy seems to be the most pressing of the two. If we can't even afford to fill up our gas tanks, social issues aren't going to matter very much. One commenter wrote, "Freedom you are unable to afford to exercise is no freedom at all. Just ask the Greeks."
Conservatives Are Concerned About the Economy
The most obvious difference here was, not surprisingly, between political parties. Conservatives felt more strongly that the economy would be a bigger talking point than social issues in the general election (80%), while fewer than half of liberal respondents felt the same way (44%).
Women Are More Worried About Social Issues
Both genders felt the economy would be a bigger topic in the election, but women were 13% more likely to side with social issues. This could be because one of the bigger issues in the social hemisphere, abortion, applies directly to them. But that's not the only major issue...
Homosexuals Hold on Social Issues
We thought maybe women were more interested in social issues because of abortion, but under that assumption it would make sense to assume the homosexual vote might swing that way as well. It didn't. Only 12% of gay and lesbian respondents though social issues would take the spotlight. Bisexual voters, on the other hand, voted strongly in favor of social issues.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our original poll about election issues. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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Civic Minded 2012/02/24 04:31:47
+14First it is government's out of control spending. Second is the massive regulations which make American companies leave and employ people in foreign nations. Get government off our backs and things will improve dramatically!
How long does a 850 watt hour heavy duty battery last? Well use a minor 100w to 200w converter. You can enjoy an evening of entertainment. Plug into it a 50 watt 42" flatscreen LCD, a 25w DVD player, and a 13w - 60w eq bulb...and enjoy almost 8 hours of 'free' AC. If you want to experiment - try charging the batt with your car then bring it inside.
If you use a cheaper car battery...of 550 watt hours...it will last about 5 hours.
The gas prices will come back down just have a little patience:
http://www.usatoday.com/money...
If the economic activity is held at a certain level for 24 to 36 months...it will reset at the higher level as consumer confidence returns.