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A RECENT poll found that Americans are more concerned about the threat of the socialist left coming to power than they are about the growth of the MAGA movement in the Republican Party.
The study, conducted by The Herris Poll and Harvard University’s Center for American Policy Studies (CAPS), asked respondents which generated greater concern, the power being gained by the socialist left in the U.S., or the strength gained by former President Donald Trump’s political movement, which the poll refers to as “MAGA Republicans.”
While 45% fear the MAGA movement, 55% see the growth of the socialist left as more worrisome.
The poll also asked Americans whether they would believe that there are “tens of millions of MAGA Republicans backing violence and trying to overthrow the Constitution,” or whether they felt that such a claim was a “grotesque exaggeration” and a “distortion” of reality.
When asked this question, a 54% majority said that claiming that all Trump supporters are a violent threat is a huge exaggeration. However, 46% believe they are, including a shattering 73% of Democrats, 42% of independents and 20% of Republicans.
This demonstrates the effect on voters of the Biden administration’s divisive rhetoric, in which both the president and White House spokesmen have on multiple occasions referred to the conservative half of the country as “extremists,” even going so far as to suggest that former President Trump’s supporters are “fascists.”
The survey touched on that topic as well. Specifically, it asked respondents their opinion of President Joe Biden’s speech in Philadelphia, in which he said that the MAGA movement represents the extremism that threatens the foundations of our republic, and made a distinction between Trump supporters and “mainstream Republicans.”
According to the result, 56 % of the voters polled expressed rejection of the president’s speech. Fifty-four percent said that Biden’s words sought to instill terror among Americans, while 46% believe that fear is justified.
In addition, 60% said Biden’s speech was “divisive,” versus 40% who believe his words sought to unite Americans.
The poll also found that 61% of Americans believe the Biden administration is taking the U.S. in the wrong direction, with 66% believing the economy is weak, and the president’s approval rating has yet to cross its ceiling of 41%.
On the other hand, a majority believe that President Biden’s mental health is insufficient for the job. Fifty-six percent have doubts about his fitness to continue, and 63% believe he is too old to lead the country.
Tomás Lugo, journalist and writer. Born in Venezuela and graduated in Social Communication. Has written for international media outlets. Currently living in Colombia // Tomás Lugo, periodista y articulista. Nacido en Venezuela y graduado en Comunicación Social. Ha escrito para medios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Colombia.