Liberals More Responsible For Heated Rhetoric: Poll

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Saturday's shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, in which six people were killed, could not have been prevented, 40 percent of American voters say in a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Another 23 percent blame the mental health system, while 15 percent say it was due to heated political rhetoric and 9 percent attribute the tragedy to lax gun control.

American voters say 52 - 41 percent that "heated political rhetoric drives unstable people to commit violence," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Liberals rather than conservatives are more responsible for such rhetoric, voters say 36 - 32 percent.

Voters surveyed just before the Martin Luther King Day holiday say 31 - 21 percent that the United States is a safer place for political figures today than during Dr. King's era, with 45 percent saying things are about the same.

There has been "significant progress" toward Dr. King's dream of racial equality, voters say 78 - 17 percent, including 71 - 26 percent among black voters. Race relations in the U.S. are "generally good," voters say 64 - 27 percent, including 58 - 30 percent among black voters.

"Americans seem to be rejecting the blame game for the Arizona shooting. By far, the largest number thinks this tragedy could not have been prevented," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Although a bare majority of voters say political rhetoric might drive unstable people to violence, less than one in seven blame it for the Arizona incident.

"As they mark the Martin Luther King holiday, voters of all races think race relations in the U.S. are good and that the nation has made progress in achieving racial equality."

American voters approve 57 - 23 percent of the way President Barack Obama is handling race relations, his best approval rating on any issue. White voters approve 53 - 27 percent, while black voters approve 81 - 5 percent and Hispanic voters approve 70 - 16 percent.

The Arizona shooting captured the public's attention, with 59 percent saying they are paying a lot of attention to the story and 26 percent saying they are paying some attention to the story.

"Those are unusually high numbers," said Brown. "Clearly it has struck a chord with the American people."

Questions about the Arizona shooting were asked January 10-11 as part of a larger Quinnipiac University national survey that stretched from January 4-11. A total of 581 voters were questioned about the shooting with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percent. The entire survey, including the questions about race relations, includes 1,647 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percent.

Quinnipiac University surveys are conducted by live interviewers calling land lines and cell phones.
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January 14, 2011 at 4:18pm
Let me be the first to say:

I DON'T CARE!

And knowing the inevitable and what this article will bring about who is the greatest, who is to blame, who is more right and who is more wrong, let me also say:

I DON'T CARE!

Republicans are to blame for every single wrong America has ever faced, they hate everything and nothing pleases them more than to stick it to the poor people. They despise everyone who doesn't believe EXACTLY like them and all Republican's are wrong.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I have been told all Republicans were against the Cannon County Courthouse renovations and they are the devil incarnate. Unreal and stupid!

Democrats are to blame for every single wrong America has ever faced. They love big government. They love to spend all of our money and tax us into oblivion and they hate defense spending and want America to be weak. They want a Socialist government and not a Republic. They despise everyone who doesn't believe EXACTLY like them and all Democrat's are wrong.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I have been told all Democrats are going to Hell and the only people in Heaven will be members of the Church of Christ and Republicans. Also unreal and stupid!

So now that I have explained the blame and put it where it belongs and we all know what is wrong with America, can we just please move on and let some of the anger go. Do we really need a poll to tell us what we already know? The blame lies within us all if we continue to argue about stupidity.

And for those of you who don’t know, this is a satire and not a comment that I truly believe and one that I hope you don’t either.

Here is a topic: What team has the best chance of winning the Super Bowl? Now that is a debate worth commenting on!
January 15, 2011 at 9:21am
“American voters say 52 - 41 percent that "heated political rhetoric drives unstable people to commit violence," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Liberals rather than conservatives are more responsible for such rhetoric, voters say 36 - 32 percent.”

What is interesting about the numbers related to who is “more responsible” is the fully one third – 32%, who either did not know or did not answer. If you look inside, 71% of liberals pointed the finger at conservatives while only 57% of conservatives said liberals did the most hyping. Moderates gave the “more responsible” rhetoric prize to conservatives with a 36% to 31% . The overall numbers 36%-32%, with the margin of error of 2.5%, seems to say it is a toss up.

The “drives unstable people” had some interesting numbers also with the DK/NA percentages way low. Liberals had 73% thinking rhetoric is a factor while conservatives numbered only 43%. Moderates tending to go with the liberals with 51%.

Since it is generally thought there are more unstable people who are liberals, that in itself, may be the reason for this larger (73%) number--takes one to know one.

Long before the 2008 election, I shutdown MSNBC–I could not stand the constant interruptions and shouting, I have never watched the “fair and balance” news outlet FOX nor logged onto KOS or DRUDGE. Supertalk99 had my ear for a very, very limited time but I have listened to NPR and do view the Big Three along with the CNN and Public TV.

An avid reader of the COURIER, I have formed an opinion on the climate in Cannon County. Keep in mind, that is all I have as a basis for this opinion. In all fairness, perhaps had I gone to Joe’s, Hardees or McDs and listened in on the morning discussions my opinion would be completely different.

For instance, last fall the COURIER printed a number of letters from liberals which were models of civility and respectfulness, at least in my eyes.

On the conservative side there was one particular printing that caught eye. It was titled “DEMOCRATS DESTROYING AMERICA.” The writer commented “its mission...seemingly one of good vs. evil.”

One only needs to reread the article to see why there was multiple, valid reasons for the title and the “good vs. evil” observation.

It would seem from the quotes printed in the COURIER, delivered by conservatives, when contrasted with the contents of letters from the two liberals, the overheated rhetoric was coming, almost exclusively, from the conservatives.
January 15, 2011 at 1:32pm
Based on your analysis, the Republicans are pulling for Robert Kraft's Patriots, and the Democrats will be pulling for the publically owned Packers. Not that I really believe it, but how about the independant thinking Seattle Seahawks 24 - Rex's immoral Jets 10. Go RAVENS!
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January 15, 2011 at 9:14pm
GO STEELERS!!!!
THE STEELERS OWN THE RAVENS!!!

dailyreader no one cares about your nonsense go fly a kite loser!
January 16, 2011 at 9:35am
This latest wobble by the Earth on its axis resulted in a change of our alignment to the stars which also resulted in some Zodiac sign changes for a few. Even possible behaviour changes might have even occurred in some individuals.

It is possible?
[Delete]
January 16, 2011 at 10:47am
There are a number of things which can occur in one's life that would cause their behavior to change, so practically anything is possible.
January 16, 2011 at 11:05am
To say the Steelers own the Ravens would be incorrect. I think you meant to say that the Steelers own all NFL officials.
[Delete]
January 16, 2011 at 12:18pm
Ha everyone hates a winner. If the Steelers don't OWN the Ravens then explain the last 7 starts by Big Ben and the 7-0 record he has against them.

Or explain the last 6 meetings in general and the 5-1 record the Steelers have against the Ravens.

Explain how the Ravens keep asking for the Steelers and the Steelers keep spanking them every single time they play them.

The STEELERS OWN the RAVES!

January 17, 2011 at 5:35am
Mr Halpern, the "wobble" comment was not intended to address the killings in Az. which is far too serious a matter for such a flippant remark by me. It was only meant as a tongue in cheek comment about how some people have reacted to people who fly kites, for instance.
[Delete]
January 23, 2011 at 4:33pm
Well I guess I have a take that is probably a minority one. It amazes me when I hear all the anti-republican rhetoric about the shooting, 10 minutes after, when none of the facts were in. The shooter clearly was a mixed bag of nuts. He had little affiliations with the Dems, and even less with the repubs. The good thing is, maybe Comcast is starting to figure out that bigotry, and hatred don't actually sell, since Keith Ob is now a thing of the past. I for one thought he was very important to we on the right, since he demonstrated the true hate that the left has for any sense of morality, and common sense. Without him, and msnbc there might not be a tea party. So as much as his show was about hate and disdain for what America truly stands for, I'm going to miss having him around to remind me of who the left is! Perhaps his twin sister. Rachael will be next.
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