npr: Heading into the 2020 Democratic primaries, a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll has a warning fo
npr: Heading into the 2020 Democratic primaries, a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll has a warning for Democrats: Americans are largely against the country becoming more politically correct. Fifty-two percent of Americans, including a majority of independents, said they are against the country becoming more politically correct and are upset that there are too many things people can’t say anymore. Only about a third said they are in favor of the country becoming more politically correct and like when people are being more sensitive in their comments about others. That’s a big warning sign for Democrats heading into the 2020 primaries when cultural sensitivity has become such a defining issue with the progressive base. “If the Democratic Party moves in a direction that is more to its base on this issue, it suggests independents are going to be tested to stay with the Democrats electorally,” said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, which conducted the poll. “Political correctness” has been fundamental to the Trump phenomenon. “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct,” then candidate-Trump said during a Republican primary debate, adding “and I don’t, frankly, have time for total political correctness, and to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time, either.” Warning To Democrats: Most Americans Against U.S. Getting More Politically Correct Graphics: Alice Goldfarb/NPR That’s pretty obviously a loaded question; “politically correct” is something that has, for better or worse, become associated with social justice warriors, the “War on Christmas,” and other such liberal extremism; and phrases like “more sensitive” and “things people can’t say” further tilt the balance. If you asked whether people were for or against the US getting more “polite,” or more “considerate,” you’d definitely see a different answer. (Especially with something like “considerate,” I think, where this isn’t the usual context you’d expect it in). -- source link