Polling Shows Support For Affirmative Action

(IStockPhoto)

The Supreme Court today ruled in favor of white firefighters in the closely watched New Haven, Conn., case, finding that they were unfairly denied promotion.

With that in mind, we took a look at recent polling on the public's opinion about affirmation action, which shows that slightly more Americans favor than oppose affirmative action generally.

In this particular case, the group of white firefighters, the plaintiffs, believed they were discriminated against when the city of New Haven threw out the results of an exam because too few minorities scored high enough.

A CBS News/New York Times Poll, conducted June 12-16, found 50 percent in favor of programs that make special efforts to help minorities get ahead, with 41 percent opposed. For over a decade more Americans have favored affirmative action programs than opposed them.

PROGRAMS WHICH HELP MINORITIES GET AHEAD

	Now	7/2008	2/2000	12/1997
Favor	50%	51%	59%	55%
Oppose	41%	42%	32%	39%

Six in ten Republicans oppose such programs, while 67 percent of Democrats favor them. Independents are divided, with 44 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed.

However, there is broader support for programs that make special efforts to help people from low-income backgrounds get ahead, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Eight in 10 favor this, with just 15 percent opposed.

PROGRAMS WHICH HELP PEOPLE FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS GET AHEAD

	Now	7/2008
Favor	80%	83%
Oppose	15%	13%

Views on programs for low-income people are also less partisan. 71 percent of Republicans favor these programs, as do 81 percent of Democrats and 83 percent of independents.

Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor, whose confirmation hearings begin July 13, was part of a panel of appellate court judges that ruled against the plaintiffs in the New Haven firefighters' case. If she is confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court most Americans don't think Judge Sotomayor will unfairly favor any particular group.

According to the CBS News/New York Times Poll, just 18 percent think she will favor certain groups over others when making judicial decisions. More than half think she will treat all groups the same if she is confirmed.

Three in four Democrats think Sotomayor will treat all groups equally, while Republicans are divided in their opinions.

WILL SOTOMAYOR FAVOR CERTAIN GROUPS OVER OTHERS WHEN MAKING DECISIONS?

	All	Rep	Dem	Ind
Yes, favor certain groups	18%	35%	6%	21%
No, treat all groups the same	55%	32%	76%	50%
Don't know	25%	28%	16%	27%

In the poll, conducted about two weeks ago, 34 percent think the Senate should confirm Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, with 9 percent opposed. However more than half, 53 percent, couldn't say. (Read more on the Sotomayor poll>)

The poll also found that most Americans hadn't heard enough to have an opinion of Sotomayor. Those who did have an opinion were more positive than negative: 33 percent view her favorably, and just 9 percent have an unfavorable view.

It isn't unusual for Americans to have no opinion about a Supreme Court nominee prior to their Senate hearings. In fact, Judge Sotomayor is more well-known than some other recent nominees.

SONIA SOTOMAYOR VS. PAST NOMINEES

	6/2009 (Sotomayor)	11/2005 (Alito)	8/2005 (Roberts)	9/1991 (Thomas)	8/1990 (Souter)	7/1987 (Bork)
Favorable	33%	11%	25%	26%	13%	11%
Unfavorable	9%	7%	7%	10%	5%	12%
Undecided	22%	16%	17%	22%	13%	13%
Haven't Heard Enough	36%	65%	51%	42%	68%	63%

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Sarah Dutton is the CBS News director of surveys. Jennifer De Pinto is manager of election and survey information for CBS News. Poll Positions is weekly Hotsheet feature on polling trends from the CBS News Survey and Polling Unit. Click here for more posts from the series.

[als101]

It is my understanding that affirmative action refers to positive steps taken to create inclusive environments. Having this understanding of affirmative action clarifies the misconception that affirmative is employed simply to fill quotas. It does, however tell us that certain minority groups will have an equal chance to go to certain schools or work at certain organizations.

When we think of affirmative action we need to think of those individuals who have all of the potential to succeed, but lack the opportunities. And while Blacks and Latinos are typically associated with benefiting from affirmative action, we need to bear in mind that it does not solely apply to Black and Latino minorities, but to those who would not otherwise have a chance to study at a certain university or work at a certain firm. If I am mistaken, then I think we need to reassess who affirmative action is meant to help. That said, it needs to be clarified that affirmative action is intended to help those who are underprivileged. I stress this because there appears to be a general conception that affirmative action is intended to fill racial and/or ethnic quotas, despite one's intellectual ability, and it is this kind of opinion that deviates from the underlined purpose of affirmative action which is to give gifted underprivileged individuals an equal chance to study or work at their institution/industry of choice.

[davud0123]

Affirmative action is one of the biggest stupidity of the world.