PFAW: Major New Survey Debunks 'Values Voter' Myths

[ck4829]

A major new survey released today by the Center for American Values in Public Life refutes some widely held assumptions about how Americans’ religious views and values influence their political behavior. The survey, part of a multi-year research project, was released on the eve of a conference on “values voters” convened by the Family Research Council and featuring a who’s who of ultraconservative activists and political leaders.

...


Among the findings highlighted today:

Social issues such as abortion and gay marriage rank last in importance to the vast majority of Americans when deciding how to vote.

An overwhelming majority of Americans, including at least three-quarters of every major religious tradition, say issues like poverty and health care are more important than hot-button social issues.

When people think about “voting their values,” more people think of the honesty, integrity, and responsibility of the candidate than any other values.

Americans overwhelmingly agree that too many religious leaders focus on abortion and gay rights without addressing more important issues such as loving our neighbors and caring for the poor.

http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=22461

[Jackpine Radical]

1. So howdafuk come

the Dems can't win an election in this country?

[blm]

4. The media used "Values Voters" meme to explain a win that NEVER happened.

By blowing up the values voter explanation, they avoided REAL discussion about how all the exit polls could possibly have been so far off yet again.

They CREATED an atmosphere of a solid Bush win to make certain the American people were sufficiently duped and the Dem party would not even consider contesting.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Thanks.

My question was pretty much intended to evoke that answer from someone.

[blm]

9. I know, JR.

Because the question has to CONTINUALLY be asked and CONTIMUALLY answered till it opens a few more eyes.

[Sapere aude]

2. Too much attention is payed to what religious people think.

How about a survey about what all voters think. Just because someone doesn't claim to be part of some religion doesn't mean they are lacking in values. Frankly give me the values of an atheist or agnostic anytime over a religious person's values. The atheist and agnostic don't base their values on the fear of hell or wanting to attain heaven or fear of the lord. They have values because of indistinctly knowing what is right and wrong.

[leftofthedial]

3. so it's Diebold that's skewing elections

then

[BlooInBloo]

5. Sheesh. Such a poll only shows what poll-ees SAY...

... not the manner in which they actually BEHAVE.

It's yet another excellent example of the well-known psychological phenomenon: What people SAY they're doing is not typically what they actually ARE doing.

Why people fall for this kinda crap is beyond me.

[Auggie]

6. Agree totally

[Binka]

8. honesty, integrity, and responsibility shit howdy explain A GOP win Ever

The fucks just steal. What a fucking value. I hate these people. Really.