Brexit quake reaches the U.S.
Americans say Britain’s split from the EU reflects anger that smolders in USA, too
The Brexit earthquake isn’t just British.
Americans by an overwhelming 4-1 agree that the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union was a sign of anger and dissatisfaction that can be seen in other countries, including the USA, according to a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll. Just 16% call it an isolated referendum.
“I think it is an indication of a broader feeling among people around the world, where they are feeling more and more helpless about controlling things in their own countries,” says Sandra Lueder, 68, of Cheshire, Conn., who plans to vote for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. She was among those surveyed.
“I do happen to believe the refugee crisis and immigration were important components of things that people were unhappy about,” Lueder says.
“It shows that there are people that are definitely not coming up with others, people that feel like they are being left behind,” says Stephanie Weber, 46, of Gravel Switch, Ky., who supports Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Those are concerns she sees at home. “I know that the similarity, the anger at government in general is similar,” she says.
The nationwide poll of 1,000 likely voters, taken Sunday through Wednesday by landline and cellphone, has a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points.
In the USA, a consensus that
“I am hoping that with the Brexit vote those that pay attention can see that it is causing turmoil and that just to protest vote won’t solve problems, it will make things worse.” Stephanie Weber, 46, of Gravel Switch, Ky.
last week’s Brexit vote reflects global trends crosses party lines: 75% of Republicans, 72% of independents and 59% of Democrats agree.
When it comes to which party the vote might benefit in the presidential race, both sides are inclined to see more upside than downside for the candidate they support.
Clinton backers by 26%-13% predict the Brexit outcome will hurt Trump, not help him. The biggest group, 40%, don’t see an effect on the U.S. election.
Trump supporters tend to say it will help their candidate: 37% see it as a benefit while just 5% think it will hurt him. One in three, 34%, say it won’t make a difference one way or the other.
“It kind of makes his case for the fact that a lot of people are unhappy with the status quo, not just here in America,” says Tim Cook, 61, of Tulsa, who supports Trump. “They feel like a lot like of Americans do, that we kind lost control over our own destiny.”
Weber hopes the consequences of the referendum will prompt some angry American voters to reconsider what to do. “I am hoping that with the Brexit vote those that pay attention can see that it is causing turmoil and that just to protest vote won’t solve problems, it will make things worse,” she says. “I hope people will learn from Brexit that protest voting is not a solution.”
Jay Brooks, an engineer from Huntsville, Ala., says the impact could go either way. “It could energize the liberal base,” he suggests. “It could also be used as ammunition against Hillary, who came out against it.” As for him, he supports Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.