Just to follow up on an earlier post, another reason to be very skeptical of the results of the exit poll data — showing “moral values” as voters’ alleged top concern this election — is how inconsistent it is with all the other data.
For example, the AP conducted a national poll Nov. 3-5, asking voters what Bush’s top priorities should be in a second term. If values and morality were really driving the election (and the electorate), and these culture war issues were really responsible for Bush’s success, you might think that a federal abortion ban, a constitutional amendment on gay marriage, or maybe a desire to see a more right-wing judiciary would top the list. Not surprisingly, these issues didn’t even come close.
As President Bush mulls what to do after winning re-election, voters say his first priority should be resolving the situation in Iraq, where the fighting is growing more intense. They also want Bush to cut the deficit, which ballooned under his watch, rather than pushing for more tax cuts, according to an Associated Press poll taken right after the election.
The voters’ concerns stood in contrast to the priorities Bush cited after he defeated Democrat John Kerry. Bush pledged to aggressively pursue major changes in Social Security, tax laws and medical malpractice awards. Terrorism was a chief concern both for Bush and many voters in the poll.
“Values” were nowhere to be found. Dealing with Iraq was the runaway winner, with 27%, followed by terrorism, the economy and health care.
Indeed, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that the national AP polling data doesn’t show a country that’s shifted to the right — it reflects an America that sounds like it’s leaning to the left.
* By more than a 2-1 margin, voters said they preferred that the president balance the budget rather than reduce taxes further. In other words, the public rejects Bush’s position.
* When the choice is between balancing the budget and spending more on education, health care and economic development, 55% want more spending, 44% want the budget balanced. This is a double-whammy for Bush, who supports neither domestic spending nor balanced budgets.
* Given the choice between balancing the budget and cutting taxes, voters chose balancing the budget by 66% to 31%. This, of course, is the total opposite of Bush’s entire approach to governing.
* Asked whether Bush should appoint a justice who will uphold or overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that protected a woman’s right to abortions, six in 10 said they want a justice who will uphold the landmark ruling. Bush has been coy about litmus tests, but it’s pretty obvious the public disagrees with their president about this too.
Republicans see the election results and the accompanying exit polls as a mandate for a conservative agenda. The writing is already on the wall — they’re going to overreach. Voters are just not where the GOP thinks they are.