Proof * Supporters Stupid, Kerry Supporters Smart

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.pipa.org/OnlineReports/Pres_Election_04/html/new_9_29_04.html

Bush Supporters Misread Many of His Foreign Policy Positions

Kerry Supporters Largely Accurate

Swing Voters Also Misread Bush, But Not Kerry

As the nation prepares to watch the presidential candidates debate foreign policy issues, a new PIPA-Knowledge Networks poll finds that Americans who plan to vote for President Bush have many incorrect assumptions about his foreign policy positions. Kerry supporters, on the other hand, are largely accurate in their assessments. The uncommitted also tend to misperceive Bush’s positions, though to a smaller extent than Bush supporters, and to perceive Kerry’s positions correctly. Steven Kull, director of PIPA, comments: “What is striking is that even after nearly four years President Bush’s foreign policy positions are so widely misread, while Senator Kerry, who is relatively new to the public and reputed to be unclear about his positions, is read correctly.”

Majorities of Bush supporters incorrectly assumed that Bush favors including labor and environmental standards in trade agreements (84%), and the US being part of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (69%), the International Criminal Court (66%), the treaty banning land mines (72%), and the Kyoto Treaty on global warming (51%). They were divided between those who knew that Bush favors building a new missile defense system now (44%) and those who incorrectly believe he wishes to do more research until its capabilities are proven (41%). However, majorities were correct that Bush favors increased defense spending (57%) and wants the US, not the UN, to take the stronger role in developing Iraq’s new government (70%).

Kerry supporters were much more accurate in assessing their candidate’s positions on all these issues. Majorities knew that Kerry favors including labor and environmental standards in trade agreements (90%); the US being part of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (77%); the International Criminal Court (59%); the land mines treaty (79%); and the Kyoto Treaty on climate change (74%). They also knew that he favors continuing research on missile defense without deploying a system now (68%), and wants the UN, not the US, to take the stronger role in developing Iraq’s new government (80%). A plurality of 43% was correct that Kerry favors keeping defense spending the same, with 35% assuming he wants to cut it and 18% to expand it.

[alarcojon]

1. Veeery interesting

Further proof, as if any is needed, that Bush's supporters favor swagger over substance - they don't even know what the substance is.

:thumbsup:

[Carla in Ca]

6. Exactly! n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. You know Rove knows this

scary

[BR_Parkway]

3. Kerry folks read, * followers only listen to the sound bites n/t

[elperromagico]

4. I would imagine it's the same on domestic issues,

which would prove the oft-stated contention that Bush supporters vote against their own best interests.

[cheshire]

5. I'm telling you it's the same thing as faith in religion. Just believe and

don't question. Been drummed into those little heads from birth. Same goes for fear in religion. God will get you for that. They are brainwashed.