A new poll from the Program on International Policy Attitudes indicates that, despite all the incumbent’s vaunted straight talk and the “core principles” in his “heart of hearts,” Bush supporters don’t fully understand what they are supporting. Of particular interest to Gristians:
- 84% of Bush supporters believe (incorrectly) that he supports environmental standards in trade agreements;
- 51% believe (incorrectly) that he supports the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.
Among uncommitted voters, the two numbers fall to 69% and “45% to 37%” respectively.
Compare and contrast:
- 90% of Kerry supporters believe (correctly) that he supports environmental standards in trade agreements;
- 74% believe (correctly) that he supports Kyoto (the report is a little fuzzy on this question — Kerry supports resuming Kyoto negotiations, but not the treaty as presently written).
The same general breakdown holds true on a variety of other issues.
One could draw any number of conclusions from this data. That Kerry, despite his alleged lack of concision and firm principle, is in fact communicating his positions accurately. That Bush supporters are less … er … astute on matters of political fact. That Bush is less than … uh … forthcoming about his real agenda.
Me, I don’t draw conclusions. I just work here.
(Via TAPPED.)
