Election Fear…Over the Candidates
Surveys show voters are anxious this election cycle. NPR’s Mara Liasson reported earlier this week that issues such as stalled economic progress, terrorism and demographic shifts have people on edge.
Seems the candidates themselves could be added to the list.
In WBHM’s small, unscientific survey via social media this week several people expressed their concerns over the field of candidates.
“Very anxious. Petrified by our choices,” wrote Riva Bard of Birmingham on the WBHM Facebook page.
This year’s election features candidates ranging from the self-described Democratic-Socialist Bernie Sanders to Republicans Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, who have positioned themselves as outsiders to the conservative establishment.
Homewood resident Samantha Lalak suggests those extremes contribute to the anxiety.
“I think when people grasp onto fears…then they grasp onto their particular parties be it very Democratic or very Republican,” said Lalak. “I think that we are forgetting there is a middle ground.”
The Pew Research Center has been tracking voters’ satisfaction with presidential candidates in the general election. Voter satisfaction rose from 1992 to 2008 before taking a dive 2012. There are many caucus and primary votes yet to be cast to determine if 2016 continues that trend.
Photo by Theresa Thompson, FLICKR 
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