A new study by the University of Kansas says many voters care more about winning than they do about issues. KU researchers analyzed attitudes of voters nationwide and found they were motivated by polarized partisan loyalties and hostility toward what they perceived as the “other side.” KU Political Science Professor Patrick Miller says many voters don’t pay attention to issues but rather align themselves with one side or another, more akin to sports rivalries than traditional politics.
The KU study analyzed data from a 2010 nationwide voter survey. Many voters said they were not concerned about uncivility or personal attacks in politics. About 41 percent said simply winning the election is more important than tactics, issues or policy goals.
