The American people are not as polarized as their political system. Even the most partisan grassroots opinion leaders say they’re open to being persuaded on the hottest of hot-button issues.
While gridlock and polarization reign in Washington, members of the issues-based community HOTSOUP.com are running a discussion Loop called “Issues You Can Hedge On.” Started by an anonymous writer named “dreambig,” the Loop invites highly opinionated community members to identify issues that bring out their inner waffle. Some examples:
- Abortion: “I believe that abortion does stop a beating heart, but I also have compassion for the woman who is pregnant and does not want to be pregnant,” wrote Pepper2000z. Replied Libby: “I am strongly pro-choice, but I am willing to discuss the pro-life option if there is a real emphasis on basic needs.’’
- Torture: “This is one of those “moral” issues I hedge on,’’ said LostInTheMiddle. Separately, a Democrat admits, “I am with Cheney, except I would never say so out loud.”
- Drug Laws: A woman talks about her brother, a drug addict. “I rarely am a fence-sitter, but I could never see him jailed for his pot use yet I often wonder if he had been busted and received probation when he was 14 if he would be any different now.”
- Iraq: A HOTSOUP poll shows little support for staying the course or withdrawing U.S. troop immediately. “I am open to being wrong,” wrote a pro-war member.
With gerrymandering and micro-targeting, it’s easy to forget in Washington that most voters are not solidly Republican or Democrat. Indeed, an analysis of 2004 exit polls showed that more than a third of straight-ticket voters are not at home with their parties (see the book “Applebee’s America” co-authored by two of HOTSOUP’s co-founders). Most Americans are looking for something different, and it certainly isn’t polarization.
What are you looking for? Join the conversation with your peers at www.hotsoup.com.
