LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Critical Race Theory – Which Wars Were Mistakes? – Patty Murray

Your Daily Polling Update for Friday, November 12, 2021

BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 42%
Down 1 since Monday

RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on six polls, ranging from 36% (Federalist/Susquehanna) to 46% (Politico, Reuters). Biden’s disapproval rating averages 52% today (down 1 from Monday), keeping him at 10 points net negative…. Other national job ratings from the latest Monmouth poll: 

• Congress: 18% approve/70% disapprove. 
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi: 28% approve, 49% disapprove 
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: 21% approve, 37% disapprove 

WASHINGTON: SENATE 2022
Among voters statewide

Sen. Patty Murray (D) over Tiffany Smiley (R): +18 (49-31)
 
RON’S COMMENT: Incumbent Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992, posts a solid lead over Smiley in next year’s race. The poll shows that most independents (38%) are undecided, and that Democrat Murray currently wins these swing voters 36-26. Murray polls 89% of Democrats and Republican Smiley, a nurse and veterans affairs advocate, polls 78% of Republicans…. Handicappers rate the race solid or safe Democratic.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY
Among voters nationwide

Heard about CRT: How much have you heard about critical race theory? 
 
A lot: 38%
A little: 42%
Not at all: 19%
 
Know what CRT is: [Asked of those who have heard at least a little about critical race theory] Do you have a good idea of what critical race theory is?
 
Yes: 56%
No: 24%
Not sure: 20%
 
RON’S COMMENT: Note that 80% of voters have heard about CRT and of those and 80% of them say they know something about it––that means about 64% of the total electorate says they have heard about it and have a good idea what it is. 
 
Opinion of CRT: [Asked of those who say they know what critical race theory is] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of critical race theory? 
 
Favorable: 38%
Unfavorable: 56%
Don’t know: 6%
 
RON’S COMMENT: A majority of voters (56%) who say they know something about CRT have negative feelings towards it…. Favorability of CRT by demographics: 

• 77% of Democrats, 7% of Republicans, 33% of independents have a favorable opinion of CRT.
• 15% of Democrats, 91% of Republicans, 62% of independents have an unfavorable opinion of CRT.
• Blacks: 63% favorable and 33% unfavorable.
• Hispanics: 47% favorable and 45% unfavorable.
• White men without college degrees: 23% favorable and 72% unfavorable.
• White men with college degrees: 34% favorable and 61% unfavorable.
• White women without college degrees: 28% favorable and 61% unfavorable.
• White women with college degrees: 49% favorable and 49% unfavorable.

CRT being taught: Do you believe critical race theory is currently being taught in schools in your community? 
 
Yes: 21%
No: 36%
Not sure: 44%
 
RON’S COMMENT: 10% of Democrats, 31% of Republicans, 23% of independents believe critical race theory is currently being taught in schools in their community.
 
Approval of teaching CRT: Do you approve or disapprove of public schools teaching about critical race theory? 
 
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 50%
Don’t know: 11%
 
RON’S COMMENT: More voters oppose teaching of CRT in public schools than favor it. By party: 

• 16% of Republicans, 75% of Democrats and 40% of independents approve teaching CRT in public schools.
• 78% of Republicans, 15% of Democrats and 45% of independents disapprove teaching CRT in public schools.
• This question was asked in a poll conducted by Monmouth Univ., but the previous poll questions on CRT were asked by The Economist/YouGov poll.

WHICH WARS WERE MISTAKES?
Among voters nationwide

Do you think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in the following wars? 
 
% = Yes, a mistake/ Not a mistake

• World War I: 13%/69%
• World War II: 9%/76%
• Korea: 25%/46%
• Vietnam: 57%/22%
• Desert Shield/Desert Storm: 32%/43% 
• Afghanistan: 48%/33%
• Iraq: 51%/30%

RON’S COMMENT: A majority of voters believe Vietnam and Iraq were mistakes. Near half think Afghanistan was a mistake. Note: None of the wars since World War II draw majorities who think it was NOT a mistake (ranging from 22% to 46%). By party: 

• 63% of Democrats, 30% of Republicans, 51% of independents say Iraqwas a mistake.
• 56% of Democrats, 32% of Republicans, 51% of independents say Afghanistan was a mistake.
• 66% of Democrats, 43% of Republicans, 57% of independents say Vietnam was a mistake.

SOURCES
Presidential job rating average based on recent nationwide polls.
WASHINGTON: SurveyUSA, Oct. 25-28
WHICH WARS WERE MISTAKES: The Economist/YouGov, Nov. 6-9
CRITICAL RACE THEORY: The Economist/YouGov, Nov. 6-9; the last question in this section is from a poll by Monmouth Univ., Nov. 4-8

Publication schedule: Lunchtime Politics publishes when important new polling data is available, usually at least once a week. When we get closer to the next round of elections, we will resume daily publication. Thanks to all our readers and best of health, Ron

Follow here to get the latest updates on the Lunchtime Politics.