# Is there any part of the Republican agenda that is actually popular?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647
**Category:** Politics & Elections
**Created:** [December 16, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647 "2017-12-16T16:32:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/41 "2018-01-21T19:49:40Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#):
>
> I don’t know about that. If you read The\_Donald reddit - which anyone who keeps abreast of politics _should_ do occasionally, to get a peek “through the looking glass” and understand the culture of Trump’s base - you’ll see a lot more talk about “Cuck Schumer” than Nancy Pelosi.
>
> Although maybe that’s just because his name is easier for them to turn into a derisive moniker. That’s a big part of the Trump culture, after all.
It’s probably got a lot more with Schumer actually being able to affect things while Pelosi can’t.
---
### Author:  [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/42 "2018-01-21T23:20:40Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#):
>
> I don’t know about that. If you read The\_Donald reddit - which anyone who keeps abreast of politics _should_ do occasionally, to get a peek “through the looking glass” and understand the culture of Trump’s base - you’ll see a lot more talk about “Cuck Schumer” than Nancy Pelosi.
>
> Although maybe that’s just because his name is easier for them to turn into a derisive moniker. That’s a big part of the Trump culture, after all.
Eh. Maybe ‘Cuck Schumer’ will get more wingnut mentions for a time, but the vitriol won’t be the same.
A good test of this will be how many GOP candidates try to tie their opponents to Pelosi, and how many try to tie their opponents to Schumer. By this metric, I’m predicting a Pelosi landslide.
---
### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2018, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/43 "2018-01-21T23:55:26Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#):
>
> Eh. Maybe ‘Cuck Schumer’ will get more wingnut mentions for a time, but the vitriol won’t be the same.
>
> A good test of this will be how many GOP candidates try to tie their opponents to Pelosi, and how many try to tie their opponents to Schumer. By this metric, I’m predicting a Pelosi landslide.
Well, 435 House races vs 30-odd Senate races, so … yeah, that wouldn’t exactly be a surprise either.
---
### Author:  [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/44 "2018-01-22T19:16:25Z")
> [@jayjay](#):
>
> We understand how conservative voters think.
(post shortened)
No, you don’t, but don’t change. We like you just the way you are. 🙂
Elections have consequences. Election RESULTS speak for themselves. Pre-election poll numbers, political party estimates, pundit babbling, internet comments, lame stream news media biased reporting can be very entertaining, but they don’t replace actual vote tallies when it comes to actually electing representatives.
If you find that you are the least bit confused about how some, or all, bills are being passed, I’ll suggest that your all-encompassing “We” do not know how conservative voters actually think. You’re just used to telling each other how conservatives think, and then accept that as fact. Keep up the good work.
---
### Author:  [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/45 "2018-01-22T19:21:01Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#):
>
> you’ll see a lot more talk about “Cuck Schumer” than Nancy Pelosi.
>
> Although maybe that’s just because his name is easier for them to turn into a derisive moniker. That’s a big part of the Trump culture, after all.
Odd. Calling him that is calling him an Aryan.
---
### Author:  [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/46 "2018-01-22T20:35:25Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> Odd. Calling him that is calling him an Aryan.
So, you were expecting intellectual consistency from alt-righters?
---
### Author:  [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/47 "2018-01-22T21:28:37Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#):
>
> You basically just said conservatives hate being called bigots, then explained why they are motivated by bigotry. What is the answer in that situation where you can’t even have an honest discussion? Also again, it is pretty much only white people who sign up for the narrative you posted.
I don’t really have an answer. All I know is that conservatives have this deep-rooted hatred of Liberals and Democrats that defies all reason and logic. For example:
-Liberals propose legislation to promote equal treatment of minorities, gays, women, etc. Conservatives accuse them of being bigots and racists trying to trample on people’s rights.
-Liberals propose legislation to curb the power and excesses of Big Business. Conservatives accuse them of socialist wealth redistribution policies.
-Liberals propose more restrictive firearms laws after a mass shooting. Conservatives double down on more guns.
-Liberals tell Conservatives to stop acting like jerks. Conservatives complain that their rights to be a jerk to other people are being trampled.
> [@TimeWinder](#):
>
> And yet nearly every “controversial” policy that Trump and the GOP have pushed this year has been overtly racist, xenophobic, or an obvious perversion of the church and state separation. Nearly ALL of them.
>
> Conservatives keep telling us that we just need to listen to their viewpoint and stop calling them racists, bigots, etc.
Yes, but they don’t like being told that.😃
What they like being told is that the economy sucked under Obama but took off under Trump, even though we experienced sustained job growth from 2010 - 2016 under Obama and a bit less job growth under Trumps first year.
[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/12/14/comparing-the-trump-economy-to-the-obama-economy/?utm\_term=.a2fc51e59a4e](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/12/14/comparing-the-trump-economy-to-the-obama-economy/?utm_term=.a2fc51e59a4e)
In a way, it’s a bit like sport’s team mentality. It doesn’t matter how many Super Bowls Tom Brady wins. Giants fans will always hate him.
---
### Author:  [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/48 "2018-01-23T01:04:45Z")
> [@doorhinge](#):
>
> (post shortened)
>
> No, you don’t, but don’t change. We like you just the way you are. 🙂
>
> Elections have consequences. Election RESULTS speak for themselves. Pre-election poll numbers, political party estimates, pundit babbling, internet comments, lame stream news media biased reporting can be very entertaining, but they don’t replace actual vote tallies when it comes to actually electing representatives.
>
> If you find that you are the least bit confused about how some, or all, bills are being passed, I’ll suggest that your all-encompassing “We” do not know how conservative voters actually think. You’re just used to telling each other how conservatives think, and then accept that as fact. Keep up the good work.
I understand how conservative voters think - I’m surrounded by them.
Conservative voters hate and fear their opponents. That’s what drives them - things that allow them to recognize and blame an enemy. That is ALL that drives them.
Abortion is bad because they kill babies.
Immigrants are bad because they take jobs.
Blacks are bad because they commit crimes.
The poor are bad because they loaf around on our tax dollars.
Muslims are bad because they blow stuff up.
Atheists are bad because they worship satan.
Drugs are bad because they make people go crazy.
Gay people are bad because they want to destroy marriage/rape everyone.
SJWs are bad because they want to take away our rights and power.
Gun grabbers are bad because they want to leave me defenseless.
That’s what it’s all about.
(Note: Republican politicians, traditionally, have shared very few of these fears, and were just in it for the money and to support their rich donors. It seems that some of the inmates have ascended to positions within the administration, however.)
---
### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/49 "2018-01-23T01:17:24Z")
> [@begbert2](#):
>
> I understand how conservative voters think …
In almost every case that I’ve seen a Doper express sentiments along these lines, what follows is something totally at odds with my personal experience and the views of most conservatives I know.
---
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/50 "2018-01-23T02:12:46Z")
> [@msmith537](#):
>
> I don’t really have an answer. All I know is that conservatives have this deep-rooted hatred of Liberals and Democrats that defies all reason and logic. For example:
> -Liberals propose legislation to promote equal treatment of minorities, gays, women, etc. Conservatives accuse them of being bigots and racists trying to trample on people’s rights.
> -Liberals propose legislation to curb the power and excesses of Big Business. Conservatives accuse them of socialist wealth redistribution policies.
> -Liberals propose more restrictive firearms laws after a mass shooting. Conservatives double down on more guns.
> -Liberals tell Conservatives to stop acting like jerks. Conservatives complain that their rights to be a jerk to other people are being trampled.
At root I think it is tribalism. But I don’t think there is an answer for it. They consider liberals as controlling interlopers, liberals consider them crazy, immoral assholes.
There probably is no answer.
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/51 "2018-01-23T02:30:28Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#):
>
> At root I think it is tribalism. But I don’t think there is an answer for it. They consider liberals as controlling interlopers, liberals consider them crazy, immoral assholes.
>
> There probably is no answer.
I don’t consider them crazy, immoral assholes. I consider them fucked-up, immoral, unethical assholes. (There are an extremely rare few who are unfucked/moral/ethical.)
But then I’m not technically a liberal…
---
### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/52 "2018-01-23T14:49:34Z")
Military spending is quite popular and that’s a GOP go-to.
---
### Author:  [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/53 "2018-01-23T15:23:29Z")
> [@begbert2](#):
>
> I understand how conservative voters think - I’m surrounded by them.
>
> Conservative voters hate and fear their opponents. That’s what drives them - things that allow them to recognize and blame an enemy. That is ALL that drives them.
>
> Abortion is bad because they kill babies.
> Immigrants are bad because they take jobs.
> Blacks are bad because they commit crimes.
> The poor are bad because they loaf around on our tax dollars.
> Muslims are bad because they blow stuff up.
> Atheists are bad because they worship satan.
> Drugs are bad because they make people go crazy.
> Gay people are bad because they want to destroy marriage/rape everyone.
> SJWs are bad because they want to take away our rights and power.
> Gun grabbers are bad because they want to leave me defenseless.
>
> That’s what it’s all about.
>
> (Note: Republican politicians, traditionally, have shared very few of these fears, and were just in it for the money and to support their rich donors. It seems that some of the inmates have ascended to positions within the administration, however.)
I think that’s accurate. With the following additions:
Big (non-Conservative) government is bad because they take all your stuff and give it to the other people on that list.
Other countries are bad because they are shitholes who don’t embrace freedom like America.
Environmentalists are bad because they want us to live like dirty people in shithole countries.
New York is bad because someone was murdered there a few years back and they never found out who did it. Also it’s full of homos.
Hollywood is bad because it’s full of rich liberals who think we’re all dumb hicks, sermonize at us, and then go back to their mansions to snort coke off a prostitute’s ass.
Also, don’t forget what they like:
Business is good because it gives hard working people jobs and makes the hardest working people rich.
God is good because he is God.
---
### Author:  [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/54 "2018-01-23T22:54:34Z")
The plan to reduce illegal immigration, end legal chain immigration, end the lottery system for immigration, and to grant some kind of amnesty for DACA recipients but not for the parents who illegally dragged them as children across a hostile desert, all remain popular with the vast majority of the American public.
Curbing legal immigration is also popular: 81% of the American population wants legal immigration cut from its current level of about 1 million, and a strong majority (63%) want it cut by at least half.
60% don’t support the parents of DACA kids being given amnesty, as the Durbin-Graham plan calls for.
65% of voters would support some kind of DACA deal that secures the border with Mexico, ends Chain Migration, and eliminates the Visa Lottery. Majorities of voters from nearly every demographic would support that plan, including 68% of Hispanic voters, 64% of African American voters, 64% of Democratic voters, 67% of all independent voters, 63% of liberal voters, and 68% of those who voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election cycle.
> **[Final\_HHP\_Jan2018-Refield\_RegisteredVoters\_XTab.pdf](https://harvardharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Final_HHP_Jan2018-Refield_RegisteredVoters_XTab.pdf)**
>
> 1134.69 KB
Support for the new Republican tax plan is rising sharply, and should continue to rise as workers open their paycheck envelopes in February.
The latest New York Times/Survey Monkey poll shows support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rising to 46 percent, with 49 percent disapproving.
Per Politco’s tracking poll, conducted Jan. 11-16 2018, a 45 percent plurality of voters backed the plan based on what they knew about it, up from 42 percent in a similar poll before the legislation was enacted on Dec. 22. Opposition in the new poll came in at 34 percent, down from 39 percent. Twenty percent of respondents were undecided, up from 18 percent. After respondents were told about the major provisions of the bill, support rose to 47 percent, opposition remained at 34 percent.
More than half of Americans in a CBS News Poll approve of Trump’s handling of the war against ISIS as of April (not sure if there is a later one). The situation has materially improved since then, so I would expect that to go up.
> **[Toplines Isis Trump Thrus Am | PDF](https://www.scribd.com/document/346515942/Toplines-Isis-Trump-Thrus-Am?secret_password=bhunggean4AaptBaJXFD)**
>
> CBS News poll, released 7am, 4/27/17
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### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2018, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/55 "2018-01-23T23:04:16Z")
> [@Arizona\_Mike](#):
>
> … More than half of Americans in a CBS News Poll approve of Trump’s handling of the war against ISIS as of April (not sure if there is a later one). The situation has materially improved since then, so I would expect that to go up.
>
> [Toplines Isis Trump Thrus Am | PDF](https://www.scribd.com/document/346515942/Toplines-Isis-Trump-Thrus-Am?secret_password=bhunggean4AaptBaJXFD)
Here is a CNN poll from a few weeks ago:
> [@](#):
>
> More than 6 in 10 Americans say the US military action against ISIS is going well, the most positive assessment of the campaign since the US began airstrikes against the terrorist group in Syria in fall of 2014, and a sharp improvement since spring of last year, when 45% said things were going well.
>
> The shift rests on increasingly positive reviews from independents and Republicans. Among Republicans, 78% say it’s going well, up from 28% who said so in spring 2016, when the US efforts were still led by Democratic President Barack Obama. Independents have gone from 43% saying things are going well to 63% now.
And this bit serves to illustrate that polls are heavily influenced by partisan leanings:
> [@](#):
>
> Among Democrats, opinions have shifted in the opposite direction. While 61% said things were going well in 2016, that stands at 50% now.
---
### Author:  [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/56 "2018-01-24T00:58:03Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#):
>
> In almost every case that I’ve seen a Doper express sentiments along these lines, what follows is something totally at odds with my personal experience and the views of most conservatives I know.
Like thinking Timmy McVeigh’s murderous actions were completely unreasonable?
---
### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/57 "2018-01-24T01:05:14Z")
nevermind
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### Author:  [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/58 "2018-01-24T01:12:56Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#):
>
> Like thinking Timmy McVeigh’s murderous actions were completely unreasonable?
This is the second time you’ve brought this up unrelated to the thread topic. If you do it again I will give you a warning for harassment. Knock it off.
[/moderating]
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/59 "2018-01-24T02:54:47Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#):
>
> Here is a CNN poll from a few weeks ago:
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > More than 6 in 10 Americans say the US military action against ISIS is going well, the most positive assessment of the campaign since the US began airstrikes against the terrorist group in Syria in fall of 2014, and a sharp improvement since spring of last year, when 45% said things were going well.
> >
> > The shift rests on increasingly positive reviews from independents and Republicans. Among Republicans, 78% say it’s going well, up from 28% who said so in spring 2016, when the US efforts were still led by Democratic President Barack Obama. Independents have gone from 43% saying things are going well to 63% now.
Heh no partisanship going on among Republicans… :rolleyes:
> [@HurricaneDitka](#):
>
> And this bit serves to illustrate that polls are heavily influenced by partisan leanings:
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > Among Democrats, opinions have shifted in the opposite direction. While 61% said things were going well in 2016, that stands at 50% now.
Notice how Democratic opinions dropped by a whole 11% while Republicans’ jumped by 50%. Tell me again about partisanship.
---
### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647/60 "2018-01-24T04:34:13Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#):
>
> Heh no partisanship going on among Republicans… :rolleyes:
>
> Notice how Democratic opinions dropped by a whole 11% while Republicans’ jumped by 50%. Tell me again about partisanship.
Well, the war with ISIS actually did improve so at least the Republican direction lined up with reality.
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