Top political scientist: U.S. voters are 'pretty damn stupid'

washingtonexaminer.com ^ | Nov 21 2010 | Byron York

[Sub-Driver]

Top political scientist: U.S. voters are 'pretty damn stupid'

Political reporters often rely on University of Wisconsin political scientist Charles Franklin for expertise. In just the past few months, his insights have appeared in articles in the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Associated Press, Politico, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, and many other publications. He's also a co-founder of the influential website Pollster.com, as well as co-director of the Big Ten Battleground Poll.

So Franklin answered with considerable authority when he was asked, at a recent forum on the November 2 election results, why Republicans emerged victorious in so many races. "I'm not endorsing the American voter," Franklin said. "They're pretty damn stupid."

Franklin was responding to a question from Bill Lueders, news editor of Isthmus, a weekly alternative newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin. In an account published Thursday (H/T Ann Althouse), Lueders says he asked Franklin why "the public seemed to vote against its own interests and stated desires, for instance by electing candidates who'll drive up the deficit with fiscally reckless giveaways to the rich."

"Franklin, perhaps a bit too candidly, conceded the point," Lueders writes. "'I'm not endorsing the American voter,' he answered. 'They're pretty damn stupid.'"

Lueders writes that he responded, "Thank you, professor. That's the answer I was looking for." The rest of Lueders' account explains that smart voters support things like high-speed rail and higher taxes for the rich, while dumb voters support "an obvious phony like [Republican senator-elect] Ron Johnson over Russ Feingold."

[mainevet]

Being a Buckeye fan I can only see myself getting in more trouble here because we didn’t beat them this year and we gotta go play that team up north on Saturday.

Thanks for your service.

[seton89]

Who is the Harry Potter character with the blue scarf?

[70th Division]

Well I have to say in my self interest here that I was rooting for Iowa. But you guys pulled it off. LOL And you will absolutely destroy Michigan.

I am old enough to remember the rivalry of the 70’s. Bo against Woody. It was the game of the season to watch and I am an MSU fan. LOL Now somebody beat Wisconsin. OH, we did. LOL

[Stultis]

The rest of Lueders' account explains that smart voters support things like high-speed rail and higher taxes for the rich

Well, considering that every high speed rail project, anytime anywhere -- even in parts of the world with much higher population densities and far larger percentages of railway commuter usage than the United States -- has been an utter boondogle; and considering that experience at the state level has repeatedly proven that taxing the rich drives them away and/or lowers their productivity, thus reducing growth and revenues; then any person who has ever run a successful business, or any Governor of a state who has overseen above average economic growth, is apparently a blithering idiot.

I recommend Lueders stay as far away from the real world, where policies have actual rather than "academic" consequences, as possible.

[EGPWS]

"I'm not endorsing the American voter," Franklin said. "They're pretty damn stupid."

Then to be fair and get a proper vote, Chuck Franklin should cast a vote for all of us in total via proxy.

We mustn't allow stupidity in a free society.

[peteyd]

Yes,American voters are stupid.In “commiefornia”Jerry Brown is back for a third term.Boxer for another 6yrs and the majority of the crumbling state voted “dumb-o-crat”.Yep,yep,yep.

[mainevet]

I miss Bo and Woody, both native Buckeyes from NE Ohio, although Woody born in Clifton. That was when the Big Ten was the Big Two.

So if MSU, UW, and OSU, all win out who’s Big Ten Champ?

[zzeeman]

So if MSU, UW, and OSU, all win out who’s Big Ten Champ?

The team that has the highest BCS rating.

[driftless2]

All these leftists seem to be fixated on that phrase “voting against their interests” concerning middle class Americans who reject high-spending, leftist/statist schemes. I’ve heard that phrase from countless assorted lefties i.e. Thomas Frank of “What’s The Matter With Kansas” infamy etal. Yes, if you don’t like the idea of spending more than you’re able to, you’re voting against your interests. I find that to be a remarkable lack of logic even for leftists.

[Jay W]

Decades ago the psychotic were kept in insane asylums. It made sense to grant such people asylum there. They were safe, more or less, and fed.

So, what is the difference today between a professor and a psychotic? Can someone tell me? I mean, other than the fact that the professor isn’t restricted to the campus grounds?

[MWS]

Hey Dems!

Maybe if you guys keep telling the American people how damn stupid they are for not supporting you they will get the message and get on board with your plans for the country!

Come on, folks! Hop to it! It’s a brilliant strategy and it’s going to win you all sorts of support!

[bitterohiogunclinger]

“Republicans are not at all surprised that many people favor a vibrant, free-market economy over socialism even though they are below the median income, as (1) in a dynamic analysis, they will do better in a vibrant economy than they would getting their share of a reduced national income under socialism”
I respectfully disagree that “Republicans” fit that bill. Conservatives yes, but the “Republican” political party has been hijacked by those that talk the talk, but won't walk the walk. There are some signs that some “Republicans” get it, but the power elite in the party aren't going to relinquish power without a struggle.
The DemonRAT party is beyond repair, having relinquished control to outright communists and thieves, anyone associated with them, however well intentioned, have checked their principles and honor at the party door.

[tsomer]

Yeah - the kind of stupidity that stikes fear into the hearts of the Elites....

My daughter is 17 and a senior in a small catholic school. Nevertheless she's been subject to the usual anti-American diatribes in her history and civics classes, along with a healthy dose of "I'm smart and enlightened" smugness to insulate her against both counter arguments and even her own contradictory perceptions.

In short, she's convinced I'm stupid and bigoted.

So now whenever she objects to my remarks I reply:
"Yeah! I know! I'm stupid!"
But we stupid people have rights too!
Are you going to discriminate against me for being stupid? What kind of democracy is that???"

She never has a reply, other than: "Oh dad..."

[Darren McCarty]

That arrogance is one big reason why we tossed your asses out. Oh yeah, this “damn stupid” voter has two degrees and can technically use the title “Doctor” if I choose to.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Reading this makes it very clear why historically there has been recurrent ‘town’ vs. ‘gown’ conflicts. Academics are self-aggrandizing elitists. Incidentally, the putting the terms ‘political’ and ‘science’ together is pretty funny.

[driftless2]

"Stalin"

The supposedly greatest brains of the early twentieth century, like George Bernard Shaw and Einstein, visited Stalin's nightmare and pronounced it the wave of the future with glowing encomiums. That says it all about the naivete of many so-called geniuses.

[rbg81]

Most people think that others are stupid if they don’t vote the way they do. That being said, a “top” political scientist saying this in a printed interview is just making an a$$ of himself.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Fabulous rant.Do it again please!

[spodefly]

I don’t need some effete pseudo-intellectual professor to tell me how stupid American voters are. All I need to do is look at Obama, Pelosi, Reed, Schumer, Biden, Delaurio, Waters, Frank, et al.