Americans have had it with vulgar, hateful speech -- and blame Trump
By Jennifer Rubin
Opinion writer
June 19 at 10:15 AM
In a substantial and revealing report on Americans’ view of political discourse the Pew Research Center finds, “Large majorities say the tone and nature of political debate in the United States has become more negative in recent years — as well as less respectful, less fact-based and less substantive.”
While “both-side-ism” infects much of political punditry these days, ordinary Americans know exactly whom to blame: “Donald Trump is a major factor in people’s views about the state of the nation’s political discourse. A 55% majority says Trump has changed the tone and nature of political debate in this country for the worse.” This is viscerally felt by large majorities of Americans who say “Trump’s comments often or sometimes make them feel concerned (76%), confused (70%), embarrassed (69%) and exhausted (67%). By contrast, fewer have positive reactions to Trump’s rhetoric, though 54% say they at least sometimes feel entertained by what he says.” Even among Republicans, and Republican-leaners, 59 percent say “they often or sometimes feel concerned by what Trump says. About half also say they are at least sometimes embarrassed (53%) and confused (47%) by Trump’s statements.”
As we get into the details of the study, more troubling factors emerge. “A substantial majority (78%) says ‘heated or aggressive’ language directed by elected officials against certain people or groups makes violence against them more likely. This view is more widely shared among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents than Republican and Republican leaners.” Not surprisingly, large majorities expect respect from the other party’s officials, but far fewer demand the same from their own party.
There is confusion about what is offensive: “About half (51%) say it is easy to know what others might find offensive, while nearly as many (48%) say it is hard to know.” Contrary to Trumpers’ view of themselves as victims, they aren’t the ones intimidated about discussing Trump. “Nearly six-in-ten (57%) of those who approve of Trump’s job performance say they would share their views about Trump when talking with a group of people who do not like him. But fewer (43%) of those who disapprove of Trump say they would share their views when speaking with a group of Trump supporters.”
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/06/19/americans-have-had-it-with-vulgar-hateful-speech-blame-trump/
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