Despite close competition from other pressing issues, the economy is still the top concern for voters, according to a new Cheddar/SurveyUSA poll.
The poll, conducted October 1-4, 2020, showed that 15 percent of respondents named the economy as the most important issue for them when marking their presidential ballot.
This perennial election issue squeaked in ahead of "defeating Donald Trump" at 14 percent, compared to "re-electing Donald Trump" at 9 percent. Replacing the president got a two-point boost, however, after his COVID-19 diagnosis, with the economy losing ground as well.
There was also a significant spread in which demographic groups pinpointed the economy as the top issue, with 19 percent of Hispanics, 15 percent of whites, and just 7 percent of Blacks choosing the issue.
Amid nationwide protests and counterprotests, respondents were neatly split on issues of social justice and law and order. Black Lives Matter, social justice, and law and order each received 3 percent while All Lives Matter received 5 percent.
Other top concerns include COVID-19 at 12 percent, healthcare at 9 percent, and "preserving the democracy" at 6 percent.
On the Affordable Care Act — which reemerged as an election-year issue with the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — 54 percent of respondents said the Court should leave it as the law of the land, while 31 percent said it should be declared unconstitutional.
This matches closely with the 56 percent who said they felt either favorably or very favorably toward Obamacare and the 38 percent who felt unfavorably or very unfavorably toward it.
Younger and lower-income voters also had a better impression of the healthcare law — though those who were most concerned with the economy were less likely to be in favor. After Trump's COVID diagnosis, favorable impressions got a boost as well.
Finally, the poll showed significant doubts about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Just 28 percent said the country will know the outcome on election day, while 42 percent said: "maybe a week after." A sizable 21 percent predicted we'd know sometime before Thanksgiving.
Again, Trump's hospital visit shifted the numbers, with slightly more believing the election would be over and done with on Election Day.
Earlier this month, New York City experienced one of the deadliest fires it has seen in decades. 17 people lost their lives in the Fordham section of the Bronx. This was due to a faulty space heater which reportedly began on the lower floor of the 120 unit building. Thanks to the F. D. N. Y. And heroic neighbors, many were able to get out in time. Unfortunately, the toxic smoke surged upwards through a safety door. Now, many advocates say negligence by policymakers and landlords has led to the deaths in black and brown communities from fires that honestly could have been preventable. Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, Rebecca Garrard, and the Chair of Journalism and New Media Studies at St. Joseph's College Theodore Hamm, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
The Supreme Court has declined to order the Texas Abortion case back to the original trial judge for further proceedings. Essentially if Texas abortion providers were able to get their case back to the lower court., It would have greatly helped the group move against the law. However, this decision is likely to prolong the case legal battle. Professor and Author of "The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having — Or Being Denied — An Abortion", Diane Foster, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
The Supreme Court rejected yet another bid by abortion providers to block Texas's law - which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This is the fourth time that advocates have tried and failed to block the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Leah Litman, assistant professor of law at The University of Michigan and co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
As the standoff between the U.S. and its allies continues with Russia over its possible designs to invade Ukraine, President Biden held a video conference call with European leadership and had 8,500 American troops put on high alert. Jamil Jaffer, a former associate White House counsel for the Bush Administration, joined Cheddar to discuss his views on the escalating crisis in Eastern Europe.
As controversy dogs the run-up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China is hiring TikTokers and other social media influencers to promote the nation's history, culture, diplomatic efforts, and current trends.
The Supreme Court has rejected another request to block Texas' strict abortion law. This marks the third time the high court has declined to intervene in challenges to the law that bans abortions after six weeks, well before many women even know they're pregnant. Aziza Ahmed, professor of law at the University of California, Irvine, joined Cheddar News to discuss the impact of the law so far on women seeking abortion services in Texas.
Mayors in cities like Miami and New York City are considering introducing cryptocurrencies as a way to reduce economic inequality. Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez has even pushed for distributing Bitcoin dividends to the city's inhabitants.
The U.S. will be implementing a vaccine mandate for all people entering through its land borders, removing exemptions for "essential" travelers such as truckers, students, and business people. While the Canadian Trucking Alliance argues that the new, stricter rule might exacerbate ongoing auto supply chain issues, some health experts see the potential for helping curb the ongoing pandemic. Anthony Santella, a professor of health administration at the University of New Haven, joined Cheddar to give his take on the updated border crossing restriction. "We can't just focus on one type of travel. We need to ensure that it's clear and consistent across all types of travel," Santella said.
