A powerful new poll pulls back the curtain on fear, frustration
In a post last week about the future of the Democratic Party in the South, I warned that those Democrats who advocate giving up on the South in effect advocate giving up on white working-class voters, which would have implications well beyond Dixie.
A new poll on attitudes about the economy, published in The Washington Post, provides a lot more fodder for that discussion. It found that white Americans are considerably more pessimistic about the nation’s economic future, considerably more frustrated and, not surprisingly, considerably less supportive of Obama and the Democrats. Those attitudes were particularly prevalent among white Americans with less than a college education.
As the Post writers describe it:
A mere 10 percent of whites without college degrees say they are satisfied with the nation’s current economic situation. Most – 56 percent – say the country’s best days are in the past, and more, 61 percent, say it will be a long time before the economy begins to recover.
Fully 43 percent of non-college whites say “hard work and determination are no guarantees of success,” and nearly half doubt that they have enough education and skills to compete in the job market.
The Post didn’t release data breaking down responses between college-educated and non-college white Americans, but the demographic data it did release was fascinating nonetheless. Take a look at the difference in economic optimism:
The loss of faith in important institutions such as government and Wall Street was also considerably stronger among white Americans than among their fellow Americans.
However, perhaps the starkest divisions came when pollsters asked Americans whether they thought the government was doing too much, too little, or the right amount to help a series of groups, from their own families to Wall Street. White Americans were far more willing than black and Hispanic Americans to say the government wasn’t doing enough to help them, and was doing too much to help the wealthy and Wall Street.
I think those numbers help to illuminate a whole range of political phenomena, from the labor standoff in Wisconsin to the Tea Party movement to last fall’s midterms. Even though statistics demonstrate that black and Hispanic Americans are getting hit hardest in this recession in terms of jobs and income lost, it is white Americans who feel most vulnerable, most frustrated, most pessimistic and most in need of a government looking out for their interests.
– Jay Bookman
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341 comments Add your comment
USinUK
February 22nd, 2011
12:29 pm
barking – nah – property prices are ridiculous here
George W
February 22nd, 2011
12:30 pm
Can anyone give me an example of the white community acting like this?
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a02_1298299818
ronald
February 22nd, 2011
12:31 pm
“Wow, with John Thune out of the race now and talk of no Huckabee run, what to make of the rapidly shrinking GOP field?”
Rapidly shrinking GOP field? Romney, Palin, Pawlenty, Christie, Rubio, Cantor. The last 2 are probably 2 cycles away from being legit candidates. But, I’d be comfortable with 3 of the first 4 against BHO.
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
12:34 pm
ronald
Rubio? You guys crack me up, he’s only been in the senate for a month, what has he done? So far, nothing.
ronald
February 22nd, 2011
12:36 pm
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
12:34 pm
Thats why I said 2 cycles away. You can tell when someone has a spark, even young in their congressional lives. Rubio has almost the same message as Chris Christie, who is arguably the de-facto voice of the “fix the deficit” wing of the GOP.
Deep Throat
February 22nd, 2011
12:37 pm
It seems the Chicken Sh– party is really hiding from two states, WIS. and now Ind. WOW ! A party one can be proud of, NOT!
Jefferson
February 22nd, 2011
12:37 pm
Rubio the anchor child ?
barking frog
February 22nd, 2011
12:39 pm
with President Obama in 2012 would you prefer as a running
mate 1.Biden 2.Clinton 3.Oprah ? It’s highly possible Joe may go
and fall on his sword…
Deep Throat
February 22nd, 2011
12:44 pm
Why should Oprah run ? She’s already bought the presidency, she owns Oblunder.
Make me shiver to think we could possibly have to put up with Oblunder and the Queen of Liberalisia.
barking frog
February 22nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Deep Throat, In all Kingmakers resides a desire to be King…….
Deep Throat
February 22nd, 2011
12:54 pm
frog , Biden is such a joke even the the Great Oblunder wishes he had picked someone else, with Hillary, he would not get to wear the pants of the presidency, with Oprah ? Well there may be something funny going on there, I don’t know but Mrs.Oblunder may be jealous.
SwamiDave
February 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
Of interest would be the following:
To question #11 –
- Jay ignored option C in which respondents attributed approximately the same blame to overspending by consumers as Wall Street financial institutions.
- Noting that, it would be interesting if there was a break-down among those who blamed government in Washington (as much as 60% in whites) between those who blamed government ACTIVITY / INTERVENTION as opposed to the LACK of activity (a conclusion to which Jay’s post attempts to lead).
To question #9:
- This breakdown is more chilling when comparing across racial lines. While most of the concerns are statistically similar (from almost exact comparsions on health care to comparisions on job / employment), the apparent gap shown concern for federal spending and deficits is troubling.
-SD
ken
February 22nd, 2011
1:00 pm
I am part of the working class of the South, a college grad and a Republican. Too bad that you pigeon hole non college grads as ignorant. Does not say much for your character or you understanding of Americans. Maybe you change our friends.
I have seenncollege grads that cannot balance a check book. They are running the country!!!!!!!!!!
Chris Matthews
February 22nd, 2011
1:01 pm
WHITE VOTERS DON’T VOTE FOR JUST RACE LIKE THE OTHER RACES! WHITE ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT ISSUES!
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
ronald
I know a few things about marco rubio, an empty suit in my opinion, he will probably be going nowhere fast..
Rightwing Troll
February 22nd, 2011
1:07 pm
This seems apropo considering the column we started the day off with…
“This led Limbaugh, 59, to accuse her of hypocrisy when it comes to her own dietary advice.
“The problem is, and dare I say this, it doesn’t look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice. And then we hear that she’s out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving with 141 grams of fat per serving,” he said on his nationally syndicated radio show.
Limbaugh continued: “I’m trying to say that our first lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue or of a woman Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you.”
“Michelle … is out there saying if you eat the roots of the tree bark, the berries and all the cardboard stuff, you’ll live longer, be healthier and won’t be obese. OK fine, show us,” he said.”
Couple things here (just the low hanging fruit)…
So we’re expected actually do as we say not as we do, just like Gingrey’s bill to circumvent state’s rights in the face of all the state’s rights rancor as of late?
Pillbo criticizing someone for eating unhealthy? Really? What’s he pushing there (no double entendre intended..) about 295 lbs on his frame? Again, back to “do as I say”…
AND, have you seen the woman? She’s not obese or even overweight. I think she can have a plateful of shortribs every now and again and not have to worry too much about her health.
ronald
February 22nd, 2011
1:10 pm
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
Perhaps you are right regarding Rubio. We’ll see. But it sure seems like the GOP is willing to give him a chance to be a star and very few are really given the level of publicity and spotlight that he’s beginning to get. We’ll see what he does with that chance. If he pulls a Bobby Jindal, he’ll be yesterdays news and fast.
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
1:11 pm
I don’t ever recall laura bush on the swim suit cover….that guy is a massive idiot….when you bloviate for three hours daily you’re more than likely to say stupid things but his people hang on every word..pathetic..
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
1:14 pm
ronald
Rubio was a state legislator in my district. The good ole boys from jacksonville rolled him pretty good when he was speaker of the house. Consequently, millions of dollars of miami taxpayer money ends up not in s. florida where its needed, but guess where? Jacksonville.
ronald
February 22nd, 2011
1:35 pm
Mick
February 22nd, 2011
1:14 pm
Sounds like how federal tax money is sent to Louisiana and Nebraska projects when BHO was using federal tax proceeds to buy support for his medical overhaul.
poison pen
February 22nd, 2011
1:43 pm
I want a job like USinUK has, posts all day then watches a kook on tv in the break room. Your employer must be a sweetheart or they really like getting boned.
Larry
February 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
Jay not bad until your final comclusion. Obviously, I haven’t read the entire poll but your last statement (it is white Americans who feel most vulnerable, most frustrated, most pessimistic and most in need of a government looking out for their interests.) infers that this group wants more government and I believe this is a false conclusion. The poll reflects the frustration with a government out of control (Obama’s budget calls for post stimulus level spending). Hello, the experts everyone relied on to push stimulus upon us say that the worst is over and that a recovery (albeit slow) is underway. Why do we need post stimulus spending? Taxes have taken close to 1/2 of what I have made through the years (including now – count Federal, state, SS, Medicare, excise taxes, local, government fees, real estate, sales tax, and those same fees and taxes that are passed onto us by business) and you will get to 50% or more easily. So what I see in this poll is a frustration with an ineffective government, not a call for more government. Yes the government should be doing more, but it should be able to do it for a lot less than what they are spending now. Take the Dept of energy – created during the Carter years with the charter to reduce our dependance on foriegn oil. 16,000 employees and 100,000 contractors. Our dependance on foriegn oil has gone from 30% to 70%. Pretty ineffective, so why keep throwing good money after bad?
George W
February 22nd, 2011
1:53 pm
Test
mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack the Liar Obama - BEND OVER, Here comes the CHANGE!
February 22nd, 2011
3:24 pm
Of course, college students don’t get it UNTIL they mature and join the work force. NO brainer, Jay.
Real
February 22nd, 2011
3:34 pm
Of course, college students don’t get it UNTIL they mature and join the work force. NO brainer, Jay.
The article does not address college students. It addresses people “without college degrees”. Are you putting college students in that group. The article doesn’t say how college students were classified in the study, or even if they were included at all. This is often the problem with interpreting statistics that others have produced. You never really know what methodology they used, and without that, any interpretation is reduced to a mere guess.
casual observer
February 22nd, 2011
3:40 pm
Federal, state and local debt exceeds size of entire economy…
williebkind
February 22nd, 2011
4:24 pm
“Those attitudes were particularly prevalent among white Americans with less than a college education”
See education dont cure stupid!!!
buck@gon
February 22nd, 2011
4:43 pm
“The Post didn’t release data breaking down responses between college-educated and non-college white Americans, but the demographic data it did release was fascinating nonetheless. Take a look at the difference in economic optimism:”
No, WaPo wouldn’t do that because it doesn’t serve its editorial aims of alienating us “college whites” from them “non-college whites”.
The whole poll itself is incredible. I’ve never heard of so many blacks saying that the government is doing enough for them. It would be a hoot to get some other “news” organization to break down the results and prove that the whole Obama-mania really is only about emotional attachment and racial identification.
Since a majority of the country still is white, whether college educated or no, looks like the big “O” is going out with a whimper, at best. Call HIM one-term Jimmy C. version 2.0. I’d love to see a poll about likely voters broken down this way.
eddy
February 22nd, 2011
5:08 pm
Top 10 Reasons You Know You Are in a Public Sector Union:
10.) You take a week off to protest in Wisconsin and your office runs better.
9.) On a snow day when they say “non-essential” people should stay home you know who they mean.
8.) You get paid twice as much as a private sector person doing the same job but make up the difference by doing half as much work.
7.) It takes longer to fire you than the average killer spends on death row.
6.) The worse you do your job, the more your boss avoids you.
5.) You think the French are working themselves to death.
4.) You know by having a copy of the Holy Koran on your desk your job is 100% safe.
3.) You spend more time at protest marches than at church.
2.) You have a Democratic congressman’s lips permanently attached to your butt.
1.) You pay more in union dues than you do for your healthcare insurance.
ronald
February 22nd, 2011
5:14 pm
Right-wing Troll says “Pillbo criticizing someone for eating unhealthy? Really? What’s he pushing there (no double entendre intended..) about 295 lbs on his frame? Again, back to “do as I say”
Right-wing, you were oh-so-close to making a valid point, but your lack of logic ensured that an epic fail would occur. See if you can follow…
1) First lady makes herself a national spokesperson for eating healhty
2) First lady does not eat healthy
3) Rush Limbaugh criticizes her for this contradiction and poor choice
4) You cite Rush’s weight as a reason that he shouldn’t join in on the conversation and you attempt to humorously mention “do as I say, not as i do”
5) Your logic would only work if it were Rush that had made himself a spokesman for eating healthy.
6) As it stands, your logic suggests that you think fat people aren’t allowed to criticize anyone else for anything, because they are fat.
7) You are an idiot…
Sid Farcas
February 22nd, 2011
7:14 pm
Hey Book Man here is an idea for you and Tucker. Act like a democratic state senator from WI or IN and run and hide in Illinois until the Republicans lose control of both houses. It will be best for all. You dems are the biggest bunch of chickensh*ts since oh, I don’t know, maybe qaddafi?
Sid Farcas
February 22nd, 2011
7:16 pm
Eddy, that was pure classic!
TnGelding
February 22nd, 2011
7:28 pm
This white boy is tired of all the misrepresentations. The stimulus helped. The economy is growing. The private sector is adding jobs. The public sector is losing jobs. Cutting federal spending will not add one job. Gutting the EPA will be bad for our health. Cutting arts and humanities will be bad for our culture. Dependence on “foreign oil” is a red herring. Social Security is not broke. Nothing is wrong with state pension funds that a DOW 20,000 won’t fix. 401(k)S HAVE REGAINED MOST OF THEIR VALUE, especially if you continued making contributions. (Caps unintended.)
buck@gon
February 22nd, 2011
8:04 pm
Eddy,
Love it!
Del
February 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
Off Topic,
This slime ball should have got murder one. Too many of his ilk coming here thinking that they can have Islamic Sharia law here in the United States. The administration should make a strong statement that Sharia laws have no place in American society. http://www.ajc.com/news/iraqi-man-convicted-in-848972
Del
February 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
http://www.ajc.com/news/iraqi-man-convicted-in-848972.html Sorry the link on my last got cut.
Del
February 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
eddy, LOL
Atlanta 1
February 22nd, 2011
8:32 pm
You can do ‘anything’ with numbers. I’m not even going to read the 336 post in front of me; but can promise you that at least 1/2 have twisted the data to their point of view…
buck@gon
February 22nd, 2011
8:43 pm
For any who care to know the truth about the media, there exists at this very moment on the Yahoo page a striking contrast between how liberals are portrayed in the mainstream media and how conservatives are portrayed. Please see “Limbaugh questions First Lady’s Physique” and right next to it, “Aides harsh take on Palin”.
There are legitimate differences between the two takes, but anyone interested might take a look.
Dinheiro Fácil
February 23rd, 2011
3:21 am
Tudo Bem? fascinante este site está muito estruturado………bom trabalho
Adorei faz mais posts assim !
Joel Edge
February 23rd, 2011
6:45 am
“most in need of a government looking out for their interests”
No, it just shows that white America realizes there is no party that works even remotely in their interests. The often mentioned loss of white males voters willing to vote for any Democrat should have given a clue. Nothing new there.