As America gears up for the presidential election, there are a couple of words that come to mind — dread, depression and exhaustion, according to a recent poll.
That’s according to the new Yahoo News/YouGov poll that surveyed 1,636 U.S. adults from March 8-11.
The poll gave seven emotions — three positive, three negative and one neutral — describe their attitude toward the 2024 campaign, according to Yahoo News. The election pits President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Republican nominee former President Donald Trump. Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also in the running for president.
“Dread, the most negative option, topped the list (40%), with exhaustion (29%) and depression (21%) making strong showings as well. Delight (8%) was in last place,” Yahoo Newsreported.
Fifty-three percent Americans chose at least one of the negative feelings. This is compared to 40% who picked at least one positive feeling, listed as “optimism, excitement or delight.”
“For anyone who has been paying attention to the tone and tenor of U.S. politics in recent years, the fact that Americans characterize their prevailing sentiment toward 2024 as one of ‘great fear, especially in the face of impending evil’ shouldn’t come as much of a shock,” Yahoo News reported.
In 2023, when the same question was asked by Yahoo News and YouGov, the use of the word dread was about the same — 41% in 2023 and 40% now.
But the use of the negative words has dropped.
Exhaustion has fallen from 34% to 29% and excitement rose from 15% to 19%. Optimism went from 25% to 31% and is now the second most-selected emotion on the list, per Yahoo News.
This trend of more positive feelings is happening to both political parties.
“Democrats are 8 points more likely to say they’re optimistic today (37%) than in September (29%), and 7 points more likely to say they’re excited (23% vs. 16%),” Yahoo News reported. “Meanwhile, Republicans are 6 points more likely to say they’re optimistic than before (41% vs. 35%) and 7 points more likely to say they’re excited (28% vs. 21%).”
Optimism has tired with dread as the top emotions for Republicans.
“This might reflect the fact that Republicans are more content with their nominee than Democrats — and the fact that they think Trump has a better chance of winning,” according to Yahoo News.
