Scott Powers
A poll commissioned by Democratic Sen. Annette Taddeo finds that Floridians’ biggest concern is not jobs or economic recovery, but keeping socialism out of Florida, spotlighting a key Democratic elections challenge, pollsters say.
“Democrats also have a clear weakness with Floridians responding that their top issue is keeping socialism out of Florida. In fact, keeping socialism out of Florida rises above jobs and economic recovery as this has become a top narrative for Republicans,” reads a polling memo from SEA Polling & Strategic Design.
The memo was shared Thursday morning by Taddeo’s team, illuminating advantages and disadvantages Florida Democrats face in building a coalition of Hispanic voters, particularly non-Cuban American Hispanic voters, and appealing to independent voters. The polling memo warns that 34% of Florida’s independent voters have become susceptible to Republican messaging that Democrats invite socialism, and Hispanic Democrats, “are vulnerable to the emotional narrative that comes with false socialism attacks.”
“Democrats must go aggressively on offense with strong messages that reverses the trend among NPAs and weakens it among soft Republicans, and the best pushback is through authentic validators and their stories,” the memo adds.
The memo goes on to suggest that Taddeo, with her life experiences and her ownership of a small business, may be the ideal messenger for Democrats in defending against the socialist charges.
Taddeo responded in a written statement that the Republican charges of socialism among Democrats are ironic. She called DeSantis’ ban on businesses using vaccine passports “a page from the communist playbook.”
“Our recent polling shows some clear opportunities we have as Democrats and some weaknesses we must tackle. Governor DeSantis is on the wrong side of critical issues, especially business mandates on public health measures and his continued efforts to make it harder to vote by mail,” Taddeo said. “The polling also shows the impact of the Republican playbook to falsely attack Democrats on socialism. These are disgusting and insulting lies and quite ironic since it’s Republicans like Ron DeSantis who just took a page from the communist playbook by exerting control of business operations.
“As a business owner, it’s deeply troubling to see how government is dictating to businesses how to operate — and worse, making it harder for voters to cast ballots with new layers of government control,” she added.
Among the advantages found in the SEA live poll of about 900 Florida registered voters, conducted April 15-20:
— President Joe Biden has a 51-45 favorable/unfavorable rating among Florida voters, and Gov. Ron DeSantis a 53-38 rating, while former President Donald Trump has a 46-52 rating.
— However, Biden polls better among non-Cuban American Hispanics and independent voters, while both DeSantis and Trump are underwater with both groups.
— DeSantis’ executive order banning businesses from seeking COVID-19 vaccination proof and the state’s new elections law both are underwater among Florida voters.
12 comments
Tom Palmer
May 13, 2021 at 12:28 pm
Why the Democrats didn’t push back on the red-baiting false narrative during the last election is hard to understand.
Maybe they are getting some leaders more in touch with political reality.
.
zhombre
May 13, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Red-baiting? LOL!!! From the people who pushed Russian Collusion and the scurillous, phony Steele Dossier for 4 years. All the political reality of a three dollar bill.
Tom Palmer
May 13, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Are you talking about the Russia investigation that Barr whitewashed?
zhombre
May 14, 2021 at 11:26 am
Yeah, right. Robert Mueller was on Putin’s payroll.
James R. Miles
May 14, 2021 at 9:15 am
Remember, to the GOP, the Socialist “bogeyman” is gonna get ya!!
zhombre
May 14, 2021 at 11:24 am
LOL! What a dumb troll! An original thought would burn through your feeble brain like plutonium.
tjb
May 14, 2021 at 2:37 pm
zhombre, do you even know what socialism is? You often praise a wannabee fascist and authoritarian, called DeSantis, but freak out when you hear the word socialism.
zhombre
May 14, 2021 at 4:57 pm
You’re a joke. tbj = Total Jive & Bullsh-t. You have no effing idea what socialism, fascism or authoritianism actually mean. You’re nothing but another ignorant troll like Miles who spouts rubbish.
Bob
May 14, 2021 at 11:58 am
Dems can pretend all day that they’re not but when they spent 2020 supporting marxist gangs rioting in the streets and bailing them out of jail… I hate to tell you this but, you’re a filthy communist.
tjb
May 14, 2021 at 2:41 pm
Yea, that group that attacked the Capitol and murdered law enforcement officers …
OOPs, that was Trump followers. Thank you, Bob the Bot.
zhombre
May 14, 2021 at 5:40 pm
The only person murdered on Jan 6 in DC was Ashli Babbitt.
Sam
May 17, 2021 at 12:35 pm
The right wing is hell bent on destroying our democracy so they can retain power, but they are great at messaging and dogwhistling. The left wing is hell bent on stupid messaging that turns off at least 50% of the country but actually gets democracy and what our country is and should be. Just defining the problem, no answers here.
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