Monday, June 7, 2010
Seniors Are Strongest Advocates For Change In 2010
Pew Research
This year, older Americans want to rock the political establishment. People ages 50 and older have a more negative view of congressional incumbents than do younger people.
Nearly a third of those ages 65 and older say they would be more likely to vote for a congressional candidate who has never held elective office -- the highest percentage of any age group.
And while majorities or pluralities of those in age groups from 18 to 64 say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who is willing to make compromises, that is not the case with those ages 65 and older: Just 29% of seniors say they would be more likely to back such a candidate while about as many (32%) would be less likely to vote for a candidate willing to compromise.
Clearly, partisanship also is a major factor in the public's views of characteristics of congressional candidates.
The Pew Research/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, sponsored by SHRM, conducted May 20-23 among 1,002 adults, found far more Republicans than Democrats saying they would be less likely to vote for an incumbent running for reelection (43% Republican vs. 17% Democrat) as well as for a candidate willing to compromise (40% vs. 19%).
A higher percentage of Republicans (32%) than Democrats (16%) also said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate lacking prior elected experience.
Pew Research Center surveys have consistently found that older Americans tend to be more Republican and conservative compared with younger people. However, even when partisanship is taken into account, age differences in views of candidate traits are evident. The differences in opinions between younger and older Republicans are particularly stark.
On balance, younger Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (ages 18 to 49) have a positive view of a candidate who is willing to make compromises with people they disagree with: 42% say they would be more likely to vote for such a candidate, 26% less likely and 31% say it would make no difference.
But just 18% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents ages 65 and older say they would be more likely to favor a candidate who is willing to make compromises, while more than twice as many (45%) say they would be less likely to vote for such a candidate and 31% say it would make no difference.
Anti-incumbent sentiment also is more widespread among Republicans and GOP leaners older than age 50 (50% less likely to vote for an incumbent) than those younger than age 50 (37%).
About four-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents ages 65 and older (43%) say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who has never held elective office; 29% say they would be less likely to vote for a political novice and 21% say it would make no difference.
Republicans younger than age 50 are more divided -- 28% say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who never held elective office, 27% say less likely and 42% no difference.
Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, age differences are evident, though less pronounced. Fewer Democrats age 50 and older (45%) than those under 50 (57%) say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate willing to compromise.
In addition, a greater proportion of younger Democrats say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who has never held elective office (40% vs. 24% of those 50 and older).
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