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Partisan identity does not equal ideological identity does not equal elite ideological identity!
“Democrats” and “Republicans” are far less extreme in *pretty much every way* than the politicians, think tanks, media outlets, and who represent both sides.
“Democrats” and “Republicans” are far less extreme in *pretty much every way* than the politicians, think tanks, media outlets, and who represent both sides.
But those elites on either side really are “the opposition”! The House and Senate aren’t governed by national vote — a D or R who thinks of the opponents’ POV as being Mitch McConnell’s or Nancy Pelosi’s isn’t dumb — they are correct!
The mushy inner half of all Ds and Rs aren’t just more moderate — they also pay FAR less attention to politics than either elites or their more activated copartisans!
Of course more educated Ds have a more extreme view of the R agenda than people who don’t pay attention. That doesn’t mean they’re misinformed — they’re correct!
None of this is surprising, all very established in the literature. So taking a generic poll of Americans, allocating 2/3 of them to a party, and then pretending we have “more in common” is just ugh ugh ugh.
I will note a similar article from the same author last fall which claimed America was united in its opposition to “PC culture” when that framing is used positively by exactly zero people. theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
Sorry, I'm still mad about this — these questions are absurd for the purposes for which they're being used.
Cam immigration be good if "properly controlled"?: Do you think there might be a gap between Ds and Rs on what qualifies as "properly controlled" immigration?
Cam immigration be good if "properly controlled"?: Do you think there might be a gap between Ds and Rs on what qualifies as "properly controlled" immigration?
Several of these are questions to which there is actually only one accurate answer. Does racism exist?!?! Does sexism exists?!?! Are "many Muslims" "good Americans"??!? These are the worst structured questions and also the source of the alleged "perception gap."
Also this
Also this claim of causation is 100% not a finding of this study
Also literally nothing in this study justifies "vilify" here — nothing is about whether Ds or Rs "hate" or "vilify" people holding any opinion!
Also I love you @theatlantic editors but this hed/dek is unjustified
And while it's mentioned, maybe a reason for more skepticism that this was done by an advocacy group whose whole thing is making "people believe that what they have in common is greater than what divides them"
And while it's mentioned, maybe a reason for more skepticism that this was done by an advocacy group whose whole thing is making "people believe that what they have in common is greater than what divides them"
The thing is I have no problem with More In Common (their Hidden Tribes study was really cool!) and they're open about their POV. But I expect more from a news story.
Sorry, I have to go back again.
Survey finds 20% of GOP says racism literally doesn't exist, 35% says sexism literally doesn't exist, 30% says there aren't "many" good Muslims.
The takeaway, somehow? "Democrats have an absurd, denunciatory idea of what Republicans believe."
Survey finds 20% of GOP says racism literally doesn't exist, 35% says sexism literally doesn't exist, 30% says there aren't "many" good Muslims.
The takeaway, somehow? "Democrats have an absurd, denunciatory idea of what Republicans believe."
50% of GOP say Trump has no flaws, 55% say being concerned about climate change is wrong.
"Democrats have an absurd, denunciatory idea of what Republicans believe."
"Democrats have an absurd, denunciatory idea of what Republicans believe."
