Poll: 90% of Voters Say Partisanship Is #1 Cause of Gridlock
By Bianca Ciotti | 09/18/2012 | Elections 2012, Headline | 32 Comments
Credit: Restorationpath.org
According to a survey commissioned by the National Institute for Civil Discourse, less than one out of ten voters have confidence in the problem solving abilities of our elected officials. The poll was conducted among 800 registered voters from August 29-30 by Public Opinion Strategies (Republican) and Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (Democratic).
The unwillingness of lawmakers to cross party lines was cited as the number one cause of gridlock and decision-making paralysis in Congress followed closely by a “lack of respectful dialogue” between political leaders. Participants were asked to describe their feelings about the current political climate. The top descriptions included, “frustrated, worried, angry, and ashamed.” Such negative connotations associated to those currently in office could lead to more third party candidates being considered in the future.
Clearly, US voters feel disenchanted with the extreme polarization in politics. The results were similar among participants regardless of party affiliation. Members of both mainstream parties and third party affiliates believe that the American political system is suffering due to partisan rivalry. 62% of the participants encouraged candidates to agree, in part, with their opponents in the upcoming presidential debates. This reaction implies that voters are more focused on solving important issues rather than party rivalry and defamation of political opponents.
Sen. Tom Daschle, a member of the national board for the Institute of Civil Discourse, echoed:
“Voters are looking to the presidential candidates to strike a different tone – to offer a constructive vision geared to solving the problems facing our country. The upcoming debates will provide a unique opportunity for both candidates to strike that positive tone and demonstrate the collaborative approach that voters want.”
Thus far, it appears neither mainstream presidential candidate has heeded the will of this vast majority of voters as their mudslinging continued this week. Voters do not appear to be swayed much by these attacks and would rather the candidates focus on solving issues rather than party dogma. With ninety percent of voters blaming partisanship as the number one reason they mistrust politicians in Washington, independent affiliation may be on the rise in the coming months.
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32 Comments
Alex Gauthier
09.18.2012
@alexg
With an election on the line, it seems doubtful either side would want to seem conciliatory.
tjohara2012
09.18.2012
@tjohara2012
As a leading independent candidate for the Office of President of the United States, I can assure you that there is an alternative to “politics as usual.” Unfortunately, the media has chosen to ignore the responsibility that should inherently be tied to the Freedom of the Press it enjoys.
The majority of the American people have been led to believe that in a country of 310 million citizens there are only two from whom they may choose to entrust their future. Until the People stand up and demand that the media report the existence of additional candidates, our Nation will continue to reaffirm the definition of insanity on November 6th.
If you care to become more informed, I would encourage you to visit http://TJOHARA.com.
Kevin MacDougall
09.18.2012
In other news, cookies taste good.
Alex Wallenwein
09.18.2012
Then how DARE they vote for either of them?
Dj Kumquat
09.18.2012
the number one cause of gridlock is voters who keep rewarding these hacks who pander to them with “free” stuff. time for a change in voting attitude: for more liberty for all, and less what’s-in-it-for-me?
Phil Shilling
09.18.2012
Where HAVE THESE 90 % been ?
Keith Pyron
09.18.2012
Gridlock is good! It works in Texas and our Lege. only meets 90 days every other year thereby proving Thos. Jefferson right…again!
Grace Terry
09.18.2012
I have morality problem with both candidates in the major parties
William Allen
09.18.2012
Then 90% of voters are clueless. Partisanship is just one of the circus distractions that both the Democrips and Rebloodlicans use to keep people from seeing what is really going on. If this survey is accurate, it is obviously working.
Henry Rauchweld
09.18.2012
I glad this page is here and for your efforts; but, why do I keep seeing pictures of those two. I get enough stories about their BS in the MSM. What would be more important, I think, would be to learn about each candidates’ (all of them) position on the NDAA…you know the law Obama signed and is now fighting in the courts to keep….the law that allows for indefinite detention of US citizens …withOUT a do-process or trial.
Keith Pyron
09.18.2012
Lynn Baker
09.18.2012
have you noticed that when ” they ” poll people about politics its always not me or you , but someone else giving their opinion … VOTE OBAMA OUT :)
Jeri Jo
09.18.2012
Obama could have had what he wanted when he came in office and he neglected it. Trippin around Parties and messing medicaid up with medicare or what way you want to put it. We all had coverage in the first place.
Edward Theilmann
09.18.2012
We are never going to get anywhere with the democrats and republicans. VOTE FOR THE GREEN PARTY ! http://www.jillstein.org/
Sal Delvisco
09.18.2012
No matter who wins the election, nothing will get solved. This country is doomed because both sides have turned the country into a nation of consumers without enough spare cash to consume anything. We exist to buy their goods from China and finance their mountain of corporate welfare that is the Military-Industrial complex, that is our sole purpose.
I am afraid that not even a third party can save us now.
Kathy Jones
09.18.2012
I want to know with both of them blah blah I’m for the middle class why would not both of them not come out against the QE 3 when all reports indicate it will cause hyperinflation which will kill the middle class. And not one has addressed the transparency act sitting in the Senate.
John Eisenschenk
09.18.2012
.
LOL, the Peoples problem IS the government.
The government designed the two-party system so they can control the government and the people.
The left/right paradigm is a system to divide in order to conquer and control.
And yet people keep voting Republican or Democrat.
The People haven’t learned.
I don’t think they ever will.
They are complaining like crazy about the tyranny, yet are supporting a tyrannical Candidate.
Go figure.
.
Kevin Tenorio
09.18.2012
except when it comes to domestic spying, warfare, corporate welfare (bailouts. it is what it is. welfare for the rich) indefinite detention (if youre a high schooler that doesnt mean sitting in another room. that means prison, forever, with no trial, no oversight, and no hope of release, ever.)
Steve James
09.18.2012
Partisanhip is always a roadblock, because the 2 parties are so fundamentally different, especially now, as the democratic party has become a socialist/marxist/communist party.
Paul Trovato
09.18.2012
I’ll buy that. Political zelots on both sides.
Deonia Dee Neveu
09.18.2012
I hear folks on both sides of the aisles, regarding the two-political party system, saying what they say for their campaigns about the economy and how folks are doing based on “polls”, which don’t truly account for all folks, all the time. In any event, I’ve been seeing stores closing and stores opening, both in other words. I hear of folks who have been laid off and then some who are just hired, in other words, a bit of both. I’ve seen youth of working age out with nothing to do, and then I’ve seen seniors who are just working because they say they have to, and they were once making a big pay check but have settled for the $8.00 an hour spot that they are doing at this time, and again….in other words, a bit of both. I’ve also seen a BMW this week, with a Papa John’s sign up on their vehicle, in other words, this person is now delivering pizza, and obviously has the job of being a delivery person. Did the pizza delivery job buy them that car??? Who knows, but I assume that evidently the pizza delivery person, driving the BMW, had to take something less for whatever their reasons. I assume that the person had a good job and lost it, and although they are certainly not going to be listed as unemployed, but when you really think about it,…..a person in this situation is practically “unemployed”, because the low paying job can in no way compensate for what they were earning before. God Bless America, and I believe that we have a problem regardless of how any of these Candidates who are up front want to present the focus, we have a problem, we really do. No matter what, I am still proud to be an American Citizen, it is my home and my life despite its ups and downs.
Adam Wright
09.18.2012
I don’t believe most of our current leaders are interested in solving problems. They are in place to maintain the status quo and will do anything they can to make sure it stays that way.
Davis Joseph Dossantos
09.18.2012
@ henry rauchweld, last night a court judge ruled that ndaa will stand.
Ron Napier
09.18.2012
NOPE!!!
Malou C. Mariano
09.18.2012
No because of their focus on winning the election rather than direction where the country is headed ….
Debrah Leonard
09.18.2012
no
Nanson Hwa
09.18.2012
Conflict in priorities and values coupled with ignorance and intellectual laziness are the real culprits in causing gridlock.
Janet Lynn
09.18.2012
Obama, Reid and Pelois are bullies. Who would work with them
j. glasscock
09.21.2012
there are sharp differences in ideology between the two parties, but I feel poor or no leadership by the current president is a primary cause that problems are not being solved by reconciliation. This president practices divide and conquer, excuses, obfuscation, and is pursuing a strategy of blaming it all on the Republicans who have least have submitted budgets which is more than the Democratic senate has done.
George Coburn
10.26.2012
@george_coburn
The sad thing is the republicans stated goal from the beginning of the Obama administration was to destroy his presidency. Look it up, they have refused to compromise even when they have been given almost everything they ask for. I don’t like either party, I think it is a false promise of choice when they are basically the same. But lets be honest, republicans caused gridlock, period.
Brandon Fallon
09.22.2012
@bfallon
Party gridlock is a sympyom of the extremism. The Tea Party has made Republicans worry more in their primaries, worry about being replaced by a more conservative individual, forcing the party to move more to the right and leaving many moderates without a job. Or, some politicians are leaving office because the hyperpartisanship gridlock is getting too much for them.
That is why open primaries would give a greater voice to all citizens. Once that happens, I hope more moderates will come in. Caving in should not be used synonymously as compromising, but it does take compromise to make any relationship work, especially on Capitol Hill.
George Coburn
10.26.2012
@george_coburn
Republicans are the cause of the gridlock, I recall quite well the start of the Obama presidency. He tried to reach across the isle and was slapped back hard! The republicans publicy stated they wanted to destroy Obama and make sure he was a one term president! They have refused to compromise and even when Obama used most of the republicans ideas they asked for the republicans vote against him. It is VERY clear to anyone with a memory or who can look this up online why we have the problem we have!