Liberal Bloggers Hate Education, Too
Check out the results of a poll of the liberal bloggers known as the netroots, who just met recently (I think that teacherken was there). They hate education reform, too. College affordability gets a bare mention. Only the gap between rich and poor makes a decent showing. And that's not exactly school reform now, is it? As we're learning. Details below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY, JULY 21, 2008 CONTACT: Toby Chaudhuri or Anne Thompson at 202-955-5665 **Netroots Nation 2008 Straw Poll Results** ECONOMIC AND ENERGY ISSUES, ENDING WAR IN IRAQ TOP NETROOTS’ CONCERNS Netroots Nation Straw Poll Helps Describe New Online Political Force AUSTIN,
TEXAS – Progressive bloggers and activists are most concerned about
solving basic economic problems and our country’s energy crisis as well
as ending the war in Iraq, according to a straw poll of participants at
this year’s Netroots Nation conference conducted by the Campaign for America’s Future and Democracy Corps.
Those polled also believe that ending the war in Iraq and solving our
energy and health care crises should be top priorities for the next
president. “This straw
poll was designed to help us understand a little more about who our
netroots activists are and where they stand,” said Toby Chaudhuri,
communications director for the Campaign for America’s Future. “There’s
a sea change happening in American politics and it’s growing on the
Internet. Progressives are gaining popularity, strength, capacity and
political sophistication, far outpacing conservatives online.” The straw
poll helps describe the progressive netroots’ increased involvement in
politics, which 68 percent say is because of the Internet. Nearly half
of those who participated said they contributed more than $200 to
political campaigns in the last year (47 percent), with about a third
saying they had given more than $400 (32 percent). Two-thirds also
donated to political campaigns at the federal level (65 percent) and
state and local level (67 percent). Those who responded clocked lots of hours working on campaigns too. Although two-thirds said
they don’t work in politics professionally (66 percent), the average
blogger spends the equivalent of a part-time work schedule on political
activities, averaging 24 hours of work every week. Although it
is widely understood that bloggers are young political beginners, about
half have been active in politics for more than a decade (48 percent),
with more than three-quarters active for more than 5 years (78
percent). Fifty-two percent have volunteered for state and local
campaigns while 41 percent have done so for federal campaigns. Nearly
70 percent said they are 30 or above and about half (46 percent) said
they are more than 40. # # # **NOTE: Complete straw poll results are available at www.ourfuture.org and www.democracycorps.org.** Conducted By Campaign for America’s Future and Democracy Corps Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20, 2008 Austin, Texas ISSUES AND CONCERNS Of the list of concerns below, please indicate which one of these is your top concern at this time. Energy and global warming -- 19% The growing gap between the rich and the poor -- 17% Loss of constitutional rights -- 15% The war in Iraq -- 11% Corruption and special interests running Washington -- 10% Lack of affordable health care -- 9% The federal deficit and government spending -- 3% High gas prices -- 2% Lack of equal rights for gay and lesbian community -- 2% Terrorism -- 1% Making education more affordable -- 1% Increased debt owed to foreign nations -- 0% Increased taxes and more spending -- 0% Illegal immigration -- 0% Now, please indicate which of the concerns listed below is your next top concern at this time. The war in Iraq -- 17% The growing gap between the rich and the poor -- 12% Loss of constitutional rights -- 12% Lack of affordable health care -- 10% Energy and global warming -- 9% Corruption and special interests running Washington -- 9% Illegal immigration -- 4% High gas prices -- 4% The federal deficit and government spending -- 3% Lack of equal rights for gay and lesbian community -- 3% Making education more affordable -- 2% Increased taxes and more spending -- 1% Increased debt owed to foreign nations -- 1% Terrorism -- 0% Now
something a little different, of that same list of concerns, please
indicate below which one of these you feel should be the top priority
for the next administration. The war in Iraq -- 23% Energy and global warming -- 20% Lack of affordable health care -- 15% The growing gap between the rich and the poor -- 12% Loss of constitutional rights -- 7% Corruption and special interests running Washington -- 6% The federal deficit and government spending -- 3% Increased debt owed to foreign nations -- 3% High gas prices -- 2% Making education more affordable -- 1% Illegal immigration -- 1% Terrorism -- 0% Increased taxes and more spending -- 0% Lack of equal rights for gay and lesbian community -- 0% Now,
please indicate which of the concerns listed below you feel should be
the next highest priority for the next administration. Lack of affordable health care -- 17% Energy and global warming -- 17% The war in Iraq -- 16% The growing gap between the rich and the poor -- 12% Loss of constitutional rights -- 10% Corruption and special interests running Washington -- 8% The federal deficit and government spending -- 4% Making education more affordable -- 3% High gas prices -- 3% Increased debt owed to foreign nations -- 3% Terrorism -- 1% Illegal immigration -- 1% Increased taxes and more spending -- 0% Lack of equal rights for gay and lesbian community -- 0% Overall,
how much do you think Congress has accomplished this term, that is
since January 2007: a great deal, a good amount, not too much, or
nothing at all? Not too much -- 68% A good amount -- 16% Nothing at all -- 12% A great deal -- 2% [If
'Nothing at all' or 'Not too much'] On the scale below please indicate
who you feel is most to blame for the lack of accomplishment in
Congress? Democrats in Congress are to blame (1) -- 5% 2 -- 1% 3 -- 2% 4 -- 2% The Administration and Republicans and Democrats in Congress are to blame equally (5) -- 29% 7 -- 17% 8 -- 15% 6 -- 11% 9 -- 3% The Administration and Republicans in Congress are to blame (10) -- 15% VICE PRESIDENT Please choose the statement which comes closer to your view, even if neither is exactly right: Obama
should pick someone politically similar to himself, reinforcing the
dynamic nature of his candidacy and the urgent need for change, and
keeping true to his liberal roots -- 72% Obama
should pick someone more toward the political center in order to help
balance the ticket and make him more electable -- 25% INVOLVEMENT How long, would you say, have you been active in politics? 10+ years -- 48% 5-10 years -- 30% 3-5 years -- 18% 0-2 years -- 7% Do you yourself post or contribute to a political blog? Yes -- 68% No -- 30% [If 'Yes'] How long have you been posting or contributing to a political blog? 4-5 years -- 23% 3-4 years -- 24% 1-2 years -- 27% Less than 1 year -- 14% Please
indicate below in what ways you are currently active in state and local
politics and campaigns. Please check all that apply. Donate money to a political campaign at the state or local level -- 67% Volunteer for a political campaign at the state or local level -- 52% Write for a political blog focusing on local or state politics -- 26% Work professionally for a political campaign at the state or local level -- 19% Other -- 19% Write for an online publication other than a blog focusing on local/state politics -- 12% Produce other media or "mashups" focusing on local or state politics -- 8% Write for a print publication focusing on local or state politics -- 6% Now,
please indicate below in what ways you are currently active in federal
politics and campaigns. Please check all that apply. Donate money to a political campaign at the federal level -- 65% Volunteer for a political campaign at the federal level -- 41% Write for a political blog focusing on federal politics -- 30% Work professionally for a political campaign at the federal level -- 12% Write for an online publication other than a blog focusing on federal politics -- 8% Produce other media or "mashups" focusing on federal politics -- 8% Write for a print publication focusing on federal politics -- 3% Approximately how much money have you contributed to political organizations or campaigns over the past 12 months. $400 or more -- 32% $300-$400 -- 5% $200-$300 -- 10% $150-$200 -- 9% $100-$150 -- 9% $50-$100 -- 12% Less than $50 -- 10% $0 - I haven't contributed -- 11% Prefer not to answer -- 1% Do you work with a political organization, campaign or other such entity as part of your occupation? No -- 66% Yes -- 32% Approximately how many hours a week do you devote to a political organization, campaign or website? (Mean: 23.5, Median 12.5) Had
it not been for the advent of the internet, do you think your level of
activity in politics would be more, less, or about the same as it is
now? Less -- 68% About the same -- 25% More -- 6% DEMOGRAPHICS Now, some final questions for background and statistical purposes ... What is your gender? Male -- 58% Female -- 40% What year were you born? 18-29 -- 27% 30-39 -- 23% 40-49 -- 22% 50-64 -- 22% 64+ -- 2% Please choose the term that best describes how you think of yourself in political terms. Progressive -- 47% Liberal -- 40% Moderate -- 12% Conservative -- 0% NETROOTS NATION 2008
STRAW POLL FQ
CONGRESS
# # #
I was in Austin, even leading a panel of three teenagers on political participation and civic education that was taped by CSpan for later broadcast (the only other panel so honored was one with Joe Trippi and other high ranking campaign types called from Dean to Obama).
I think the issue of issues is msleading: the only question on the poll about education was the one about affordability. That is NOT as high an issue for those not themselves currently paying for post-secondary education, either as students or parents. But given the attendance received by the panels I did on education (total of three) at the two Yearlykos conventions in Las Vegas and Chicago, and the amount of traffic my diaries on education received, there is no doubt aspects of education are of great concern to many who were in attendance. In fact, I had several dozen people express disappointment that there were no panels specifically on education, by me or by anyone else. That implies to me that there is still strong interest in the netroots about the subject, certainly beyond the 1% on the one poll question.
Peace
Posted by: teacherken | July 23, 2008 at 13:16 PM