As Trump rushes to reopen, bubble of ignorance separates GOP from rest of Americans

[babylonsister]

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/5/13/1944832/-As-Trump-rushes-to-reopen-bubble-of-ignorance-separates-GOP-from-rest-of-Americans

As Trump rushes to reopen, bubble of ignorance separates GOP from rest of Americans
Kerry Eleveld
Daily Kos Staff
Wednesday May 13, 2020 · 3:47 PM EDT


If Donald Trump is selling it, Republican voters are buying it, which, in turn, drives the actions of GOP lawmakers. In the case of the coronavirus, that means Trump's rush to reopen has gained steam among Republican voters and lawmakers even as it alienates them from the rest of the voting public.

That Trump-inspired feedback loop is evident in the latest polling from Politico/Morning Consult showing that Republicans are now beginning to lean heavily into prioritizing the economy over public health as Trump pushes to reopen America for business.

While 56% of voters overall say they are more worried about the public health impact of the coronavirus than the economic impact, just 38% of Republicans and Republican leaners share that view—a 12-point drop from a month ago when half of GOP voters said public health was their biggest concern.

The survey question asked whether respondents were more concerned about: 1) The economic impact of coronavirus including the effect on the stock market and increased unemployment; or 2) The public health impact of coronavirus including the spread of the disease which would cause more deaths.

Democrats expressed far more concern about public health, 72% to 16%. Independents chose public health over the economy 54% to 34%, almost the reverse image of Republicans, 38% of whom chose public health, compared to the 55% who favored the economic impact.

What that suggests is Trump's rhetoric is having the desired effect of trickling down to Republican voters and therefore influencing Republican lawmakers. At the same time, it is absolutely dividing the Republican party from the experience of the rest of the nation and indeed creating an alternate reality that could be ripe for a reality check in the coming weeks.

[empedocles]

1. However, the virus marches on, further and closer into republicon ranks