A (Not So) Surprising Consensus

by Sean Stevens

When we founded Democracy Chronicles, Adrian and I agreed on two broad goals.  The first, is to provide a place on the web for people  to find news on the progress of democracy and democratic rights throughout the world.  The second, is more narrow in its focus – on democracy in the United States (the country we live in).  While Adrian and I do not always see eye to eye on what social and political issues in the United States require the most immediate attention of the populace, we both view the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizen’s United lawsuit as flawed.

The decision paved the way for political Super PACs, and they have, seemingly, had a profound influence on the current Republican nomination battle.  Based on our observations of current political debates and our own intuitions we surmised that opposition to the influence of Super PACs on the electoral process would constitute something that would cut across party lines.  Such widespread opposition might constitute a possible arena for cooperation across party and ideological lines.  A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll provides us with some support for this conjecture.

Surprising Consensus: The poll asked respondents the following question:

“Organizations known as super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on behalf of candidates they support. (Supporters say this is a form of free speech) while (opponents say this allows groups or wealthy individuals to have unfair influence.) Do you think it should be legal or illegal for these super PACs to operate?”

The breakdown of responses is as follows:

• 25% say Super PACs should be legal.
• 69% say Super PACs should be illegal.
• 6% report no opinion.
• Additionally, 59% of “strong” Tea Party supporters say Super PACs should be illegal.

Of those who say Super PACs should be legal:

• 9% report they strongly hold this opinion.
• 16% report they somewhat strongly hold this opinion.

Of those who say Super PACs should be illegal:

• 52% report they strongly hold this opinion.
• 16% report they somewhat strongly hold this opinion.