1.2 Ideological Polarization

1.  What was unique about Hillary's response to a question about political polarization?

She has none of the idealistic beliefs. Instead, she acknowledges the harsh reality, that getting things done in a polarized political system will not come naturally and instead, require exhaustive effort. She accepts that compromise is the only way to yield a change, albeit slowly, against a predominantly Republican Congress.

2. What does Hillary Clinton feel motivates her political opponents?

She firmly believes that her opponents act just to destroy her, to spite her, rather than to get meaningful change. 

3. How does she characterize those that make grand speeches about bringing the people together?

She views them with scorn because they are too optimistic, too idealistic, too illusory. 

4. What will be her strategy for dealing with political opponents if she wins office?

She has branded the Republicans as her enemies, yet she still believes that compromise is possible, although it will be a tedious process and require extreme persistence. 

5. What does she think will change about the public's perception of her if she wins?  Why does she think this?

She contends that popular opinion of her will improve greatly if she wins the election because she will be viewed as someone who has already achieved in securing the position of presidency rather than someone who is seeking it. 

6. What is the trend in approval ratings of recent presidents by both major parties?

The gap between Democrats' approval ratings and Republicans' approval ratings has gotten wider and wider. Democratic presidents get high approval ratings from Democrats and low approval ratings from Republicans, which Republican presents get low approval ratings from Democrats and high approval ratings from Republicans. 

7. Which presidents since Eisenhower were the least polarizing?

Johnson (30 difference), Ford (31), and Carter (27)

8. Which presidents have had the lowest approval rating among their own party?

Dwight Eisenhower had the lowest Democratic approval ratings. 

Gerald Ford had the lowest Republican approval ratings. 

9. Which presidents have had the lowest approval rating among the opposition party?

Obama has the lowest Republican approval ratings.

G.W. Bush had the lowest Democratic approval ratings.