Provocative language fuels violence? Americans concerned about the level of debate

Most Americans believe that Republican and Democratic politicians and their supporters go too far in using provocative language to criticize political opponents, and that growing hostility is fueling political violence in the country, a Gallup poll shows.

According to 69 percent respondents that the Republican Party and its supporters have gone too far (an increase of 16 percentage points compared to 2011). 60% said the same about the Democratic Party and its supporters. respondents (an increase of 9 percentage points).

The study shows that supporters of both parties almost unanimously believe that the other party has exaggerated when it comes to using provocative language. 94% of people think this way about Republicans. Democrats, and about Democrats – 93 percent. Republicans.

On the other hand, the authors of the survey emphasized, supporters of these parties “are not willing to acknowledge that their own party has gone too far in its rhetoric” and are no more willing to share this view than in 2011.

The poll was conducted between Oct. 1 and Oct. 16, weeks after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. Gallup used questions similar to those asked in a poll from 14 years ago, after the shooting of then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

From New York Andrzej Dobrowolski PAP)

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