Page 2 - Aruba Today

A2 UP FRONT
Friday 26 OctOber 2018

AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans see a sharply divided nation

75 percent of Democrats
and 32 percent of Repub-
licans say they are dissatis-
fied. And while 77 percent
of Democrats say they're
dissatisfied with race rela-
tions, about 50 percent of
Republicans say the same.
Democrats and Republi-
cans also are divided on
how important they con-
sider each of those issues
to be. About 8 in 10 Dem-
ocrats but no more than
a third of Republicans call
income inequality, environ-
mental issues or racism very
important.
The past year has seen the
United States reckon with
accusations of sexual mis-
conduct that ranged from
inappropriate comments
to rape and with a slew of
high-profile men forced to
resign or be fired. Overall,
about 6 in 10 Americans
said the issue of miscon-
In this March 17, 2017, file photo, the Capitol is seen at dawn in Washington. duct was important to
Associated Press them. But 73 percent of
women said the issue was
By JUANA SUMMERS majority of Americans say believe those stark divi- ly half of Americans say very important, compared
Associated Press the United States is greatly sions will get better anytime they aren't hearing enough with 51 percent of men.
WASHINGTON (AP) — With divided, according to an soon. from campaigns about the Democrats were much
just two weeks to go until Associated Press-NORC The newly released survey issues that matter most to more likely than Republi-
the critical midterm elec- Center for Public Affairs Re- found that more than 8 in 10 them. Fifty-four percent of cans to call sexual miscon-
tions, an overwhelming search poll. Few Americans Americans think the coun- Democrats and 44 percent duct important, 79 percent
try is greatly divided about of Republicans say they are to 39 percent.
important values. Just 20 hearing too little about key According to the poll,
percent of Americans say issues. 43 percent of Americans
they think the country will Overall, top issues for Amer- somewhat or strongly dis-
become less divided over icans include health care, approve of Supreme Court
the next few years, and 39 education, economic Justice Brett Kavanaugh's
percent think things will get growth, Social Security and confirmation to the Su-
worse. A strong majority of crime, each of which was preme Court after a bruis-
Americans, 77 percent, say called very important by ing confirmation fight that
they are dissatisfied with at least three-quarters of included allegations of ex-
the state of politics in the Americans. cessive drinking and an ac-
country. Fifty-eight percent of Amer- cusation of sexual assault
The poll was conducted icans say they are dissatis- dating back to Kavana-
Oct. 11-14 in the final sprint fied with the way things are ugh's teenage years. Thirty-
to the midterm elections, going in the country, com- five percent of Americans
in which President Donald pared with 25 percent who said they strongly or some-
Trump has been rallying his say they are satisfied. But what strongly approved of
supporters to turn out to Americans are slightly more Kavanaugh's confirmation.
vote in November. Overall, likely to be satisfied with Overall, 59 percent of
59 percent of Americans the way things are going Americans said Supreme
disapprove of how Trump, in their state or in their local Court appointments are
a Republican, is handling community. very important now, which
his job as president, while Majorities of Americans also is similar to the percentage
40 percent of Americans say that they are dissatis- who said that in 2016. But
approve. fied with the gap between two years ago, Democrats
How Americans view Trump the rich and the poor, race and Republicans were
divides along partisan lines, relations and environmen- more similar in how impor-
according to the poll. While tal conditions. But there are tant they saw these nomi-
83 percent of Republicans partisan splits. Eighty-three nations. Now, there is a 20
approve of how Trump is percent of Democrats are percentage point gap: 73
handling his job, 92 percent dissatisfied with the gap be- percent of Democrats and
of Democrats and 61 per- tween the wealthy and the 53 percent of Republicans
cent of independents say poor, compared with 43 say Supreme Court ap-
they do not approve. percent of Republicans. Of pointments are very impor-
According to the poll, near- environmental conditions, tant to them.q