DI ALOG UE: A PLAN FO R THE 2 0 2 0 ELEC T I O N
Continued from page 29
“
If you are going to develop
a plan to help your school
successfully navigate the
Election, it is important
to give people opportu-
nities to understand the
broader context.
”
#1. Partisanship surpasses all other
differences.
In December 2019 Pew Research Center
released a report that took a deeper look
into Partisanship. The study concluded
that, “Partisanship continues to be the
dividing line in the American public’s
political attitudes, far surpassing differ-
ences by age, race and ethnicity, gender,
educational attainment, religious affili-
ation or other factors.” Researchers also
concluded that each party is experienc-
ing deep ideological differences and in-
ternal divides on key issues. 5
#2. Republicans and Democrats dif-
fer on the top three most important
issues facing our nation. In October
2019 Public Religion Research Institute’s
report Fractured Nation explored the
widening partisan gap and key election
issues. Their latest polls show that the
top three issues for Republicans are Ter-
rorism, Immigration, and Crime. The top
three issues for Democrats are Health
Care, Climate Change, and Foreign Inter-
ference with elections. 6
#3. There is a perception gap be-
tween Democrats and Republicans. In
the 2019 Perception Gap report, More in
Common’s survey concludes that “Ameri-
cans have deeply distorted views of one
another. Republicans and Democrats
imagine that 55% hold extreme views—
where the reality is much different. Only
30% hold extreme views.” The report also
concludes that media is one factor ‘fan-
ning the flames of misperception.’ 7
#4. A small percentage of American
adults is driving most of the political
conversation on Twitter. Twitter plays
an important role in how politicians, me-
dia outlets, and advocacy organizations
5. “In a Politically Polarized Era, Sharp Divides in Both Partisan Coalitions.” Pew Research Center for the People and the Press,
31 Dec. 2019, www.people-press.org/2019/12/17/in-a-politically-polarized-era-sharp-divides-in-both-partisan-coali-
tions/.
6. “Fractured Nation: Widening Partisan Polarization and Key Issues in 2020 Presidential Elections.” PRRI, www.prri.org/
research/fractured-nation-widening-partisan-polarization-and-key-issues-in-2020-presidential-elections/.
7. “The Perception Gap.” The Perception Gap, perceptiongap.us/.
Page 30 Summer 2020
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