Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The One Weird Trait That Predicts Whether You’re a Trump Supporter
Politico ^ | 1/18/16 | Matthew McWilliams

Posted on 01/18/2016 8:47:32 PM PST by Another Post-American

f I asked you what most defines Donald Trump supporters, what would you say? They’re white? They’re poor? They’re uneducated?

You’d be wrong.

In fact, I’ve found a single statistically significant variable predicts whether a voter supports Trump—and it’s not race, income or education levels: It’s authoritarianism.

That’s right, Trump’s electoral strength—and his staying power—have been buoyed, above all, by Americans with authoritarian inclinations. And because of the prevalence of authoritarians in the American electorate, among Democrats as well as Republicans, it’s very possible that Trump’s fan base will continue to grow.

My finding is the result of a national poll I conducted in the last five days of December under the auspices of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, sampling 1,800 registered voters across the country and the political spectrum. Running a standard statistical analysis, I found that education, income, gender, age, ideology and religiosity had no significant bearing on a Republican voter’s preferred candidate. Only two of the variables I looked at were statistically significant: authoritarianism, followed by fear of terrorism, though the former was far more significant than the latter.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-2016-authoritarian-213533#ixzz3xf7hJoqW


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Massachusetts; US: New York
KEYWORDS: 1stcanadiansenator; 2016election; alreadyposted; amherst; assclownposting; authoritarian; bushbotposting; clintonclowns; clownpost; cluelessmorons; demagogicparty; election2016; erickerickson; igornacedisplayed; itstdstimekids; liberty; massachusetts; matthewmcwilliams; megynkelly; memebuilding; moronsforsanders; newb; newyork; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; pinkstain; pinkstate; politcoagain; politico; redstate; redstategathering; rogerailes; tds; thetdsisstrong; thetdsistrong; tostupidofrwords; totalitarians; trump
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-152 next last
This was a "light bulb on" type insight for me - I think it explains a lot of what I've seen (on FR not the least) the last few months. People are frustrated and/or scared, and they are looking for a strong leader to fix things. The problem is, this is precisely what small-government, liberty-minded conservatives don't need.

I do find some of the commentary in the article a bit goofy/biased, given the overt statism of Democrat policies for decades and their obvious tie to authoritarianism. But nonetheless I think the core finding here is valid.

1 posted on 01/18/2016 8:47:32 PM PST by Another Post-American
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Interesting.


2 posted on 01/18/2016 8:49:30 PM PST by dschapin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

It suits me.


3 posted on 01/18/2016 8:49:54 PM PST by skeeter (Nasty Conservative for Cruz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Yup, the Obama robots like big govt authoritarians and now the Trump cultists like the same big govt authoritarianism ( deals )

Same hero worshipping mentality, same disregard of evidence and facts.

Sad to see so many on this conservative site fall for the dog and pony show.

But, hey, it will be great according to the Donald.


4 posted on 01/18/2016 8:51:03 PM PST by one Lord one faith one baptism
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Shut up and do what I tell you.

Vote for Trump! :-)


5 posted on 01/18/2016 8:51:06 PM PST by moonhawk (What would he do differently if he WAS a muslim?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

This helps with those weird characters:

http://dan.hersam.com/tools/smart-quotes.html


6 posted on 01/18/2016 8:51:31 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (TED CRUZ 2016)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

That one in the spot light... He don’t look right to me... put up against THE WALL!


7 posted on 01/18/2016 8:52:12 PM PST by SteveSCH
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Ah, “authoritarianism” - the mythical concept made popular by leftwingers after WWII to explain why so many Germans became Nazis.....


8 posted on 01/18/2016 8:52:21 PM PST by Intolerant in NJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

I’m just looking for an adult to take charge. Cruz or Trump


9 posted on 01/18/2016 8:52:25 PM PST by broken_clock ( Cruz back to the future!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dschapin

Coming from a shyster, I am sure it is interesting.


10 posted on 01/18/2016 8:52:38 PM PST by dforest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: All
 photo poed.jpg


Help FR Continue the Conservative Fight!
Your Monthly and Quarterly Donations
Help Keep FR In the Battle!

Sponsoring FReepers are contributing
$10 Each time a New Monthly Donor signs up!
Get more bang for your FR buck!
Click Here To Sign Up Now!


11 posted on 01/18/2016 8:52:47 PM PST by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dforest

That was completely uncalled for.


12 posted on 01/18/2016 8:53:28 PM PST by dschapin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

How about:

“I simply LOATHE Wash, D.C.”

How about that?


13 posted on 01/18/2016 8:53:41 PM PST by gaijin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Stupid.

Obama and his Executive Orders aren’t authoritarian?


14 posted on 01/18/2016 8:53:57 PM PST by TigerClaws
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeeter

Me to.


15 posted on 01/18/2016 8:54:50 PM PST by MotorCityBuck ( Keep the change, you filthy animal! ,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

I saw this a few times today, and think there is some merit in it. I might say this could be true of Obama supporters, although I think he is only authoritative with law abiding, tax paying U.S. citizens.


16 posted on 01/18/2016 8:55:54 PM PST by Rusty0604 (1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Now Cruzbots are pulling a the ‘Authoritarian’ card, or in other words., “you’re a Nazi’’. Well, BIOYA


17 posted on 01/18/2016 8:56:11 PM PST by heights
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

Authoritarian as in “enforcing immigration law”? What a revelation!


18 posted on 01/18/2016 8:57:23 PM PST by The Toll
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Another Post-American

They don’t believe in Post-America.


19 posted on 01/18/2016 8:57:37 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: one Lord one faith one baptism

You are correct that it is one big dog and pony show.

Trump knows exactly what the people want to hear. He will be a disaster as a President.


20 posted on 01/18/2016 8:57:51 PM PST by JohnT416
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-152 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson