The NPR Politics Podcast More Voters Trust Republicans To Address Elevated Crime Rates
Nov 1, 2022
Martin Kaste, an NPR correspondent covering criminal justice, dives into the impact of rising crime rates post-pandemic. He discusses how Republicans are leveraging public fear with aggressive advertising, especially in suburban areas. The conversation highlights a significant shift in voter trust, as some Democrats are reassessing their positions on law enforcement to counter Republican narratives. Kaste also touches on the complex interplay between actual crime statistics and public perception, shaping voting behaviors in upcoming elections.
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Crime as a Wedge Issue
- Republicans are exploiting crime as a potent issue, capitalizing on public perception rather than solely statistics.
- They aim to sway suburban white women, a demographic Democrats usually hold, by emphasizing crime concerns.
Shifting Voter Preference
- In Georgia, a lifelong Democrat plans to vote Republican in the governor's race due to the governor's handling of riots in Buckhead.
- This highlights how crime influences voting decisions, even among traditionally Democratic voters.
Vulnerability and Messaging Shift
- Republicans target Democrats as vulnerable on crime, focusing on the "defund the police" messaging from 2020.
- Democrats now emphasize their support for law enforcement, creating a messaging battle.