A poll by Hart Research on behalf of Americans United For Change has found broad popular support among Democrats (91%), Independents (57%), and 41% of Republicans for President Obama’s executive orders on immigration.
The Hart Research poll found,
Voters respond favorably by an overwhelming 39-point margin to executive action by President Obama that would focus immigration enforcement efforts on threats to national security and public safety while allowing some illegal immigrants to stay and work in the United States (67% favorable, 28% unfavorable). Support is broad, incorporating a majority of voters in every region of the country, among both men and women, and in states won by both Barack Obama (67% favorable) and Mitt Romney (65% favorable). Younger voters under age 35 express particularly strong support (72%), but more than 60% feel favorable in every age cohort.
Executive action receives support from 91% of Democrats and 67% of political independents. While a narrow 51% majority of Republicans oppose executive action (41% favor), this is driven mainly by a 34-point margin of opposition among Tea Party Republicans (30% favor, 64% oppose). Among non-Tea Party Republicans opinion is more divided, with 47% in favor and 45% opposed.
Another poll today found that 89% of Latinos support President Obama’s immigration executive orders. The Hart poll revealed that the Republican opposition is being driven by the Tea Party wing of the GOP. The whole mainstream media narrative about the 2014 election has gone up in smoke. The media presented Obama as a deeply wounded lame duck president who had no choice, but to give Republicans what they wanted. A sub-narrative of the election was how establishment Republicans had tamed the tea party and were now firmly in control.
It is turning out that neither one of these conclusions is proving to be correct. The election loss has liberated President Obama, and strengthened the support of his party around him. Obama has been bold and determined to set the agenda. Republicans have been knocked back on their heels and unable to find their footing. A moment that should have been a celebration has been ripped apart by confusion and infighting.
Establishment Republicans are in leadership, but it’s the tea party that continues to steer the agenda. Obama’s immigration executive orders have paralyzed the Republican Party. The tea partiers want a government shutdown or impeachment, while the establishment is trying to ride out the storm and get to 2015 with no major crisis.
The contrast is obvious. Obama has been soaring since the election while Republicans have taken one step and fallen flat on their faces. With each poll, the internal crisis worsens within the Republican Party.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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