{"id":6250,"date":"2016-10-12T23:21:11","date_gmt":"2016-10-13T05:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/americanbuddhist\/?p=6250"},"modified":"2016-10-12T23:21:11","modified_gmt":"2016-10-13T05:21:11","slug":"qualifications-policies-intelligence-and-pant-suits-buddhist-political-preferences-reader-poll-october-reporting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/americanbuddhist\/2016\/10\/qualifications-policies-intelligence-and-pant-suits-buddhist-political-preferences-reader-poll-october-reporting.html","title":{"rendered":"“Qualifications, policies, intelligence, and pant suits”: Buddhist Political Preferences (Reader poll, October reporting)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Another month, another survey of readers on political preferences in the 2017 US Presidential race. This month the poll of\u00a091\u00a0(self-selected, online, non-randomized)\u00a0<\/strong>respondents swung strongly toward Clinton, the vast majority of those giving their preference even before the Oct. 7 tape of Donald Trump discussing sexual assault<\/a> was released.<\/p>\n

\"Buddhist<\/p>\n

Last month, in contrast, Clinton was supported by only 49.4% of respondents and Stein drew 23.6% with Johnson also getting 12.9% (Trump was under 7% then). This month, along with Clinton\u2019s and Stein\u2019s numbers above, Trump got 7.7%, Johnson 6.6%, and 6.6% went to Other.<\/p>\n

Starting with the lowest numbers first, one write-in went to\u00a0Mimi Soltysik<\/a>, the candidate from the Socialist Party. \u00a0Three write-ins were for Bernie Sanders.<\/p>\n

For Johnson, several of the supporters wrote that their reason is simply that they are libertarians. One noted that, \u201cHe\u2019s not a Republican or Democrat. Both parties are morally and ethically corrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Donald Trump supporters gave varied reasons for their support, one writing, \u201cRealistically, Clinton or Trump is going to win. While I dislike both candidates, I believe that Trump would cause less damage and suffering than Clinton.\u201d Another wrote, \u201cHard to explain. Tough, aggressive. Solid results require aggressive measures. While it may be hard now, it will make future generations stronger and they will appreciate the root. Society sees Trump as an outcast or crazy because society has become soft. The constant \u201cpussification\u201d of America and a drastic change is needed for a strong future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stein, who saw a large \u201cpost-Bernie-bump\u201d in July and August, saw a dramatic fall this month. In July (when Sanders was technically still in the race), her support was under 10%, then in \u00a0August it jumped to 19.4% and rose yet further in September to the 23.6% mentioned above. Stein\u2019s\u00a0supporters, as in September<\/a>, focused on topics including the environment and peace<\/strong>:<\/p>\n