A poll unveiled Wednesday by Rasmussen Reports offers a glimpse into the mind of American voters. The poll found a majority of Americans like the National Rifle Association (NRA) but have a harsher view of the National Education Association (NEA).
The poll found that 54 percent of those surveyed have a favorable view of the NRA -- with 29 percent holding a very favorable view of the organization which defends the Second Amendment and promotes gun safety; 41 percent of those surveyed view the NRA as unfavorable. The poll found a partisan divide, with 80 percent of Republicans seeing the NRA in a favorable light, 63 percent of Democrats viewing it as unfavorable. A majority of independents -- 53 percent -- hold the NRA in favorable regard.
Defenders of the Second Amendment could cheer another part of the poll, which found that 56 percent of those surveyed oppose stricter gun control, while only 36 percent back harsher restrictions on the right to carry arms.
The NEA, the largest teachers union in the country, is less well-known and popular than the NRA. While 42 percent see the union favorably, 37 percent view it as unfavorable. Again, there is a partisan divide on how the group is perceived, with 60 percent of Democrats seeing the NEA --which endorsed President Barack Obama for another term earlier in the week --favorably, while 57 percent of the Republicans polled have an unfavorable view of the group.
The poll found that more Americans are opposed to teachers' unions than support them: 46 percent of those surveyed think that it is bad for most teachers to be unionized, while 37 percent stand behind teachers in unions.
A plurality of those surveyed -- 44 percent -- hold a favorable view of the National Right-to-Life Committee, while 38 percent see that organization as unfavorable. Despite that, more voters -- 49 percent -- define themselves as pro-choice rather than pro-life. While 42 percent of those surveyed believed it is too easy to have an abortion, 41 percent of the total sample define themselves as pro-life.
A majority of those surveyed -- 51 percent -- believe it is more important to save jobs over protecting the environment, while 31 percent put the environment first. Despite that, the Sierra Club won the backing of 35 percent, while 32 percent sees that organization as unfavorable.
While the Heritage Foundation might be one of the most influential groups in Washington and iconic to many conservatives, 42 percent of those surveyed did not know enough about it to hold an opinion of it. Heritage is seen in a favorable light by 35 percent, while 23 percent see the group as unfavorable.
The poll of 1,000 likely voters was taken on June 30 and July 1, and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
