Americans are increasingly concerned about political violence ahead of the midterms, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll that shows 90 percent hold such concerns.
The poll released on Friday (November 4) was conducted over the phone between Sunday and Wednesday following the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA.) husband, Paul Pelosi.
Sixty percent of participants expressed being “very concerned” that political violence is on the rise.
Of respondents, Democrats were most concerned about politically motivated violence, with 95 percent of Democratic participants expressing being “very concerned.”
This figure falls to 86 percent of independents and 87 percent of Republicans who expressed being somewhat concerned about political violence.
Regardless of political persuasion, the majority of each group was “very concerned” about political violence increasing.
Seventy-five percent of Democrats, 61 percent of Independents, and 56 percent of Republicans relayed being “very concerned” about the phenomenon.
The majority of Republicans blame Democrats for the violence, and Democrats blame Republicans. But irrespective of party affiliation, more participants (31 percent) believe Republicans are to blame, compared to 25 percent of participants who think Democrats are responsible.
Thirty-nine percent of Independents blame both Republicans and Democrats, 24 percent primarily blame Republicans, and 20 percent blame Democrats.
The White House has told voters it’s up to them to call out political violence following the attack on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, “The attack was simply unconscionable, and we all have a responsibility to call out this kind of political violence.”
