This is the most common and, in my opinion, most compelling argument against mandatory voting (like they have in Australia). Many people who would ordinarily not vote simply vote straight ticket, and there are undoubtedly plenty who vote with little to no knowledge of the issues.
I agree that having numerous people misinformed about the issues is a bad thing. But then, [factually correct but infuriating statement in 3, 2, 1...]
how else would you have large numbers of people supporting the Republican Party?
Quote:
Even after the final report of Charles Duelfer to Congress saying that Iraq did not have a significant WMD program, 72% of Bush supporters continue to believe that Iraq had actual WMD (47%) or a major program for developing them (25%). Fifty-six percent assume that most experts believe Iraq had actual WMD and 57% also assume, incorrectly, that Duelfer concluded Iraq had at least a major WMD program. Kerry supporters hold opposite beliefs on all these points.
Similarly, 75% of Bush supporters continue to believe that Iraq was providing substantial support to al Qaeda, and 63% believe that clear evidence of this support has been found. Sixty percent of Bush supporters assume that this is also the conclusion of most experts, and 55% assume, incorrectly, that this was the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission. Here again, large majorities of Kerry supporters have exactly opposite perceptions.
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