FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2020
CONTACT: [email protected]
New Report Shows Rural Attitudes Softening on Impeachment
The Latest Online Sentiment Tracker Shows that Democrats Must Keep Facts and Substance Front and Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the One Country Project (OCP) released the eighth installment of its impeachment social media listening project, which analyzes how rural Americans active on social media in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are discussing impeachment.“Rural opposition to impeachment has been declining since November, and more rural commenters are seeking information before taking a side. By putting the facts of the case for impeachment front and center, Chairman Adam Schiff and his fellow managers are presenting the right argument at the right time to reach people looking for answers to help them make up their minds,” said OCP founding board member and former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp.
“By continuing to make the case and push back against Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s efforts to turn the Senate trial into a cover up, Democrats can keep rural sentiment moving in their direction by showcasing President Trump’s abuse of power for personal gain.”
OCP observed social media traffic from January 5 to January 19 and identified several key insights:
- Anti-impeachment sentiment has been declining steadily since November, falling from a high of 36 percent of online rural conversation to a low of 23 percent, suggesting the longer voters are exposed to the facts, the more likely they are to abandon the Republican Party line and, if not support impeachment, at least refrain from overt opposition.
- Discussion volume around impeachment increased significantly during the latest observed period as the articles of impeachment were transferred from the House to the Senate.
- Pro-impeachment sentiment increased slightly, and neutral discussion grew substantially even as anti-impeachment shrank – suggesting more people are seeking answers on the state of play in Congress.
This is the latest of an ongoing series of rural social listening memos and data released by OCP.
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About One Country ProjectThe One Country Project, led by former Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Donnelly, is working to promote greater opportunities for rural communities and ensure leaders earn their support. One Country is reengaging with rural Americans, serving as a clearinghouse of research and information for rural Americans, and working to ensure leaders regain trust by fighting for these communities. To learn more, visit the website, OneCountryProject.org.