How Important Are “Moral Values”?
Using the phrase as the public understands it, moral values are important to most people (85%) when deciding whom to vote for, and are “very important” to fully 46 percent of the public. Republicans (63%) are much more likely than Democrats (37%) or Independents (38%) to believe that moral values are very important in their choice of candidates a finding that is consistent with the common assumption that “values voters” tend to be an important part of the Republican base. Unsurprisingly, Conservatives (64%) are also more likely than Moderates (41%) or Liberals (33%) to believe moral values are very important criteria for their voting decisions. These numbers are virtually identical to the replies given in a Harris Poll conducted soon after the 2004 Presidential election on the importance of moral values then. What Do People Mean and Understand When They Say Moral Values Are Very Important? Of all the people who say moral values are very important in deciding how to vote, less than a th
