PUBLIC OPINION > The Economy Will Overshadow Social Issues in 2012 Election

by SodaHead News Posted 2012/02/23 23:43:08

Related Topics: 2012 Election, Economy, Social Issues, Election, election year, General Election, Abortion, Obama, Political Party, Illegal Immigration, The Election, Public Opinion, Republican, Conservative, Gas, Exercise, Conservatives, Party

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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.

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!

+18

Civic Minded 2012/02/24 04:31:47

+14
First 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!

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Nathan to dave b 2012/02/26 00:10:13

+1
Too much divide and conquer in the left vs. right, where they provide us with two opposing solutions and the government steps in and hands us the solution. I am sure you understand that the economy and social issues go hand-in-hand. One cannot be solved without the other. These labels only divide us and prevent us from discussing and debating the real problems. There is a reason there are only two parties. We have to stop this conservative vs liberal and repub vs dems childish bickering! No more stereotyping of people based on labels. That is sooo high school and has no place in an adult civilized world.

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seadog6608PWCM 2012/02/25 16:53:38
Live Free Or Die 2012/02/25 16:03:39

+3
I personally would never vote away freedom, liberty and justice for a promise of financial security. Hitler rose to power that way.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/25 17:05:02

+2
My friend; that is exactly what our republican party is doing to us. The only way to lose this election, the only way Obama gets 4 more years is for the Republican Party to blow it. We have to reform our party or our liberties will be gone.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/25 17:30:30

+1
Well I agree, but then the media kind of dictates who is and is not popular among the republicans, as well as democrats. It's all rigged, I think, which is absolutely terrible.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/25 17:37:06

+1
Until recent history all conventions were brokered; we didn't have 2 years of campaigning and ridiculous debates. The nominee was chosen in July or August and the fight was on. "we the people" decided who was running; we may get back to that this year.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/25 17:41:53

I have a weird feeling that WWIII is on the way and that we could be headed for another great recession, and no one wants to be in the driver's seat right now.....I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/25 17:45:42

+1
I think you are; MOST of the nations in that region fear a nuclear Iran; they are stocking up on American military hardware everyday. That Mujahadim in Iran wants to rule all of Persia again. The Saudis, Yemenis, Iraquis, etc. will fight against that before we do.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/25 17:57:25

+1
I surely hope so, Tuna. I'm glad I don't live over there, but I fear one day we will fall as a nation completely, crumble to the ground in ashes, but not before all our freedoms are taken away.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/27 12:09:53

+1
There are enough God fearing, Judeo/Christians in America, even on the left, that will not allow the US to fall into the communist's hands.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/27 15:05:37

+1
Well, liberals who believe in top down socialism and government mandates are not true liberals to me. I think the Libertarians are the real liberals now.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/27 15:11:06

+1
The very ones that Liberals claim to be the Party of, are the ones hurting the most right now. Minority unemployment is 35%-50%; it's a crime what Democrats do to our poor.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/27 15:57:37

Well, see I disagree because they do need help, but the system is screwed up. If large corporations like Wal-Mart & Stop and Shop had to pay more tax to the towns they set up shop in we might not need to tax the small businesses and home owners as much. If we had rent control on corporate housing properties it might help keep the cost down because I'm hurting - always one month's rent away from the sidewalk. So, I'm for a certain amount of socialism, but the right kind of socialism. I think property taxes is immoral. No one should lose the home they paid for or not benefit from it when they worked their whole lives for it. I don't have the answers, but I think it takes ideas from left and right to work it out - and the problem is the belief that it's all or nothing when it doesn't have to be (I don't think).

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/27 16:15:51

+1
Those are the natural flow of things; we are in this mess because government stepped in and interrupted the free market. The government forced the banks to make tthose nortgages to people that could not afford those mortgages. Your City should not step in and tell Wal-Mart to pay MORE taxes, then Wal-Mart says "forget you" and goes where the taxes are lower. We have to get the government out of it.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/27 16:48:13

Well, I don't believe in the "free market" really because we need regulations for safety, fair working conditions and environment. But I do believe you have a point about Wal-Mart. I'm just saying ultimately if the large corporations and apartment corporation complexes had to pay more to the kitty locally for the resources and land they use, it would benefit communities more. I cannot stand to see homeowners being priced out of their homes due to the tax laws and inability of government to put a limit on profits for those at the top, but tax the homeowner and small businesses to death - that is wrong - and not really working. As to the mortgage loans I completely agree with you.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/27 16:58:11

+1
That is not the business of Federal Government; your City, County, State should oversee that; the citizens need to hold their feet to the fire.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/27 17:03:45

+1
I answered a question on a poll yesterday about free markets. One of the answers was really in line with my thinking on it, by Philo-Publius. You might be interested in it.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/27 17:14:15

+1
Some of that free market has been rigged, TRUE. With crony capitalism, politics, and bribery. But that is for the consumer to educate himself and NOT do business with any corporation that CHEATS. Put them out of business.

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/27 17:30:36

+1
Yup, individual responsibility is a part of it, no doubt. Though of course, when they merge and acquisition and become the only game in town it can be tough. But I appreciate your insights.

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Tuna to Live Fr... 2012/02/27 17:53:26

+1
There are guidelines; Obama says that Wall Street does anything they want; they do not. There is the Securities Exchange Commission. He says banks do what they want; they do not if so they would NOT have made those risky loans (mortgages).

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Live Fr... to Tuna 2012/02/27 17:58:20

+1
He launched proposed legislation to put a curb on the amount of bailouts and golden parachutes, though I believe much of it got watered down - not sure about all the laws and legislation that was in and did not work, or repealed and caused problems with mortgages and banks. I really have to look into it to make an intelligent comment. I will say from personal experience there is no "personal" involved in banking, housing and many other things anymore. You're just a number now. It isn't the same as when I was younger when a man's personal references and how they presented themselves was what counted.

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Nathan to Tuna 2012/02/26 00:17:07
Nathan to Tuna 2012/02/26 00:15:26

True, but the Democrats vote away our freedoms just as much. These two parties need to be destroyed. No way do two parties represent such a diverse nation such as ours. Two parties represent only two solutions to each problem we face and cause only bickering based on stereotypes and completely limit critical thinking and fruitful discussion. We can never look to establishment to solve our problems. There are inherent flaws in our "democracy" that must be solved before any single problem gets better. The first step is to stop thinking in terms of party and start thinking in terms of real-world solutions we arrive at by our own critical thinking and not dictated to us by some overlord political machine. Ron Paul is still apart of the machine, but he is seriously our only hope. If we get back our freedoms, then the necessary changes can be made.

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Tuna to Nathan 2012/02/27 12:12:10

Ron Paul is the ONLY ONE of the five candidates that his economics will not add to the debt/deficit. That is the biggest enemy of the USA today, our finances.

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Tuna 2012/02/25 13:59:45

+7
What economy; the White House is now one big Pah-tay

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Bob DiN to Tuna 2012/02/25 22:41:28

+2
That's what happens when you elect a buffoon for President.

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Tuna to Bob DiN 2012/02/27 12:13:32

The man seems totally oblivious.

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Bob DiN to Tuna 2012/02/27 12:24:12

+1
Agreed!

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jams 2012/02/25 13:58:17

+2
Yes!
no one cares about what's burning "down below" Pope Rick I

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luigi1- in god we trust 2012/02/25 13:13:17 (edited)

+6
The media praises Obama & claims the recovery has started, unemployment is nearing 7%, housing, banking, Wall Street are back. Nothing but good news out there.

Not to worry, Obama backed Soros purchased the media & DNC. The media forgot to mention that part.

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Bob DiN to luigi1-... 2012/02/25 22:42:19

+2
The liberally bias MSM are shills for the DNC.

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Nathan to Bob DiN 2012/02/26 00:22:42

+2
Dude, wake up. The MSM lies about everything and not just for the DNC. The two parties just present an illusion of control and democracy. The Republicans you support are no different than the Democrats. Sure, on meaningless details they may differ, but on the actually important decisions they all vote the same. Patriot act, war in Iraq, the war machine budget, and allowing corporations complete and utter control of every aspect of our lives are things that BOTH parties believe in. Don't fall into the trap. The only bias in the media is to the elites and owning class. You are witnessing a charade and they want you to think in terms of black and white, red and blue, commie vs capitalist, and on and on and on and on and on. That is not reality, but the ones who get their news from the MSM actually think like that and it cripples any intellectual discussion in this country. That is by design!

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Bob DiN to Nathan 2012/02/26 00:31:52

+2
Wake Up? The DNC is the MSM.

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jennifer to Nathan 2012/02/26 07:51:06

+3
Seriously run for president. First moderate ever please 8)

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Speaker... to luigi1-... 2012/03/01 16:23:34

Something they always forgets to mention! Yes, bought and paid.

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bleep 2012/02/25 07:44:34
luigi1-... to bleep 2012/02/25 13:15:34

+3
I feel your pain. I'm in the same position yet the Feds & the media keep on telling me how much better off I am today than 4 years ago.

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dave b to bleep 2012/02/25 16:56:37

+4
Right. Look at what the Liberals are most concerned with in the graph above. Idiots.

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Nathan to dave b 2012/02/26 00:26:37

+1
Who cares? No one represents us anyway. When someone uses stereotypes such as liberal and conservative, they are often ignored and for good reason. Think about what the actual definition of liberal means. Does that coincide with what Fox news tells you liberal means? Most people are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Give me a stereotype label for that one.

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luigi1-... to Nathan 2012/02/26 13:07:19

+1
You nailed it. Our reps stoped representing the people decades ago. It's all about them & what they can get for themselves.

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