March 25, 2010

Is It Really True?

Can it really be true that 2/3 of Republicans (and 40 percent of Americans overall) believe that Obama is a socialist? According to a new Harris poll, as reported by Jon Avlon, it is true. Other results of this poll:

  • Nearly 60% of Republicans (one third overall) believe Obama is a Muslim
  • Close to half of Republicans (one quarter overall) subscribe to the Birthers' belief that Obama isn't eligible to be president
  • Almost 40% of Republicans (two in ten overall) agree that Obama is "doing many of the things that Hitler did"
  • Roughly one fourth of all Republicans (14% overall) question whether or not Obama is the Antichrist.

The one thing that isn't surprising in all this: Those with a college education are far less likely to believe such claims. Which explains, AFAIC, how monied interests are able to convince those who wear blue collars that the Republicans are out for the little guy.
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's crazy right. I didn't like Bush, but I didn't think he was a dictator or anything.

Donna Lea Simpson said...

What's scary is how the internet is being used to spread these lies.

I wish reasoning and critical thinking was a course taught in high school. It might help people see the flaws in stupid attacks and idiotic conspiracy theories.

Laurie Gold said...

My favorite professor as an undergrad taught a very dry class...something like "analytical methods in political research"...but he taught me how to think. Best class ever.

Donna Lea Simpson said...

Mine was a philosophy class called 'Reasoning and Critical Thinking', and it just confirmed what my dad was already teaching me. I see it as my duty to confront and challenge what the people I know say about 'everyone knows' or 'I heard that...'.

I'm not always the easiest friend to have.