In terms of policies and priorities, the group appears more right-of-center than imagined. Almost four in ten believe cutting taxes is key to growth. Just 19 percent think government spending is the answer. And those who believe health insurance is a right dropped from 61 percent in 2008 to 43 percent in 2012.
The top ten issues ranked in importance for this cohort were: creating jobs, reducing the deficit, lowering the tax burden for all, becoming energy independent, ensuring affordable access to health care, creating a world-class education system, addressing Social Security, preventing the spread of terrorism, protecting individual liberties from government, and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Combating the impacts of climate change fell near the bottom of the list.
Surprisingly, little support is expressed by 18-to-24 year olds for the Occupy Wall Street protests, at 19 percent. (A plurality of 42 percent are unsure.)