A majority of Democrats say they would flee abroad if they were in the same position as Ukrainians are now, according to a new poll.
SO WHAT
It’s easy to tweet about defending democracy, but someone has to be willing to literally fight for it.
THE NUMBERS
The Quinnipiac University Poll, released Monday, found that 52% of Democratic adults say they would leave the country rather than stay and fight the kind of invasion Ukraine is facing from Russia.
Overall, a small majority of Americans, 55%, say they would stand their ground in defense of their homeland, per the national phone survey of 1,374 people.
- 68% of Republicans say they would stay and fight.
- “When confronted with a terrible hypothetical that would put them in the shoes of the Ukrainians, Americans say they would stand and fight rather than seek safety in another country,” said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy.
THE POLITICS
It has become something like conventional wisdom among the liberal elites who dominate the media and Twitter that the right is dangerously pro-Russian President Vladimir Putin and anti-democracy.
- But Republicans (74%) were much more likely than Democrats (46%) or independents (54%) to tell Quinnipiac pollsters that President Biden has not been tough enough in responding to Russia.
- Previous polls have also shown that, compared to other Americans, Republicans are at least as hawkish toward Russia and more concerned about U.S. democracy.
SAME ENERGY
In a pre-fight press conference over the weekend, UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell forcefully condemned U.S. intervention in the Russia-Ukraine war, but also expressed his readiness to fight any threat that arrived on American soil.
WHY ARE REPUBLICANS MORE WILLING TO FIGHT?
One possible explanation for the Quinnipiac poll results is the demographic makeup of the two U.S. political parties: the warrior class leans GOP.
- Military service members are more likely to be Republicans.
- The same is true of police officers.