Who Is Most Responsible For Divisions In The U.S.? Social Media Ranks #1 Among Young Voters, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Table The Talk About Politics At Thanksgiving, Say Voters
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Given a list of four options and asked which they hold most responsible for divisions among Americans, voters say social media (35 percent), political leaders (32 percent), cable news channels (28 percent), and other countries (1 percent), according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of registered voters released today.
The group that holds social media most responsible for divisions among Americans is voters 18 - 34 years old. Forty-five percent of voters 18 - 34 years old hold social media the most responsible, followed by cable news (27 percent) and political leaders (26 percent).
"When it comes to the source of the angry white noise of discord and division, the segment of the population most connected to it is the age group most critical of it," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
THANKSGIVING & POLITICS
As Americans get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, voters agree they would rather not talk about politics while visiting with family or friends.
Roughly 6 out of 10 voters (61 percent) say they are hoping to avoid discussing politics while visiting with family or friends this Thanksgiving, while 29 percent say they are looking forward to discussing politics. Answers were similar across all listed groups.
"A healthy dose of 'zip it' will be on the menu as voters acknowledge that if they plan on 'talking turkey' over the big meal, it will be about the food and not about politics," added Malloy.
Nearly 6 out of 10 voters (59 percent) say politics in the United States over the last year has not changed how they feel about discussing politics with family and friends, while 30 percent say it has changed for the worse, and 9 percent say it has changed for the better.
1,574 self-identified registered voters nationwide were surveyed from November 9th - 13th with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
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Poll Questions
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Question 26. If you are visiting with family or friends this Thanksgiving, are you looking forward to discussing politics, or are you hoping to avoid discussing politics?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Looking forward 29% 32% 29% 27% 30% 28% 38% 23% Hoping to avoid 61 57 64 63 60 62 57 65 NOT VISITING(VOL) 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 3 NEITHER(VOL) 6 6 5 7 6 6 4 7 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 3 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Looking forward 28% 32% 29% 27% 31% 27% 29% 37% 26% Hoping to avoid 63 58 63 62 60 63 62 58 64 NOT VISITING(VOL) 3 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 2 NEITHER(VOL) 4 8 5 6 6 6 6 2 5 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 3 3 -
Question 27. Have politics in the United States over the last year changed how you feel about discussing politics with your family and friends for the better, for the worse, or not changed how you feel about discussing politics?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No For the better 9% 13% 12% 3% 9% 9% 7% 7% For the worse 30 25 28 40 24 35 31 31 Not changed 59 61 58 55 64 54 61 60 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp For the better 15% 9% 7% 8% 7% 7% 7% 18% 14% For the worse 29 27 35 31 25 37 31 25 26 Not changed 56 64 57 57 65 55 60 54 58 DK/NA - 1 1 4 2 - 1 2 2 -
Question 28. In thinking about divisions among Americans, which of the following do you hold most responsible for those divisions: political leaders, cable news channels, social media, or other countries?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Political leaders 32% 28% 39% 31% 29% 36% 37% 30% Cable news 28 29 24 29 32 24 28 30 Social media 35 37 34 33 34 35 32 34 Other countries 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OTHER(VOL) 2 2 1 4 2 3 2 2 DK/NA 2 2 1 3 2 2 1 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Political leaders 26% 33% 35% 35% 32% 34% 33% 35% 32% Cable news 27 26 30 26 31 27 29 24 21 Social media 45 37 30 32 32 34 33 36 42 Other countries - - 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 OTHER(VOL) - 4 2 3 2 2 2 5 1 DK/NA 1 - 2 3 2 2 2 - 2