Nearly 50% of Americans have an 'unfavorable opinion' of AOC and 75% favor a free-market economy because 'voters hate socialism,' new survey finds
A new survey has revealed that nearly 50 per cent of Americans have an 'unfavorable opinion' of Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Heartland Institute/Rasmussen poll, which surveyed 1,000 participants from December 6-7, found that a vast majority of likely voters prefer a free-market economic system over a socialist economic system.
Forty-eight respondents see Ocasio-Cortez, who is one of America's most prominent socialists, as 'unfavorable' with 38 per cent saying they view her as 'very unfavorable'.
Thirty-seven per cent of the participants regard Ocasio-Cortez favorably, including 18 per cent who have a 'very favorable' view of her.
About 15 per cent of the respondents said they are not sure.
A new survey has revealed that nearly 50 per cent of Americans have an 'unfavorable opinion' of Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
When the respondents were asked if they prefer a free-market economic system or socialism, 75 per cent of participants answered 'free-market economic system'. Only 11 per cent answered 'socialism'. A woman protests against socialism in Minnesota
When the respondents were asked if they prefer a free-market economic system or socialism, 75 per cent of participants answered 'free-market economic system'.
Only 11 per cent answered 'socialism'.
Researchers said the results show that a 'strong majority of likely voters believe the United States should reject socialism and instead adopt free-market economic principles'.
Chris Talgo, an editor and research fellow at the Heartland Institute, said: 'Despite the increased calls for socialism by many on the far left, the vast majority of likely voters believe that the United States should embrace a free-market economy.
'Only a sliver of likely voters think that the United States should abandon the free-market capitalistic policies that are responsible for making the United States the wealthiest nation in world history.'
Talgo continued: 'Despite the countless calls for more socialism among elites in media and Hollywood, Americans aren't interested in adopting the same socialist policies that have led to mass poverty wherever they have been tried.'
While a superstar on the left, Ocasio-Cortez has long ruffled the feathers of moderate Democrats.
Just last week Ocasio-Cortez lost a race for a seat on the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee when colleagues voted overwhelmingly for fellow New York Democratic Rep Kathleen Rice.
The survey also asked about their thoughts on President-elect Joe Biden. Thirty-six per cent of the respondents said they have a 'very unfavorable impression' of Biden
The two New York Democrats were forced to fight over a final seat on the committee, which oversees big policy areas like climate change and healthcare.
Moderate Democrats took on AOC prior to the vote after she called for 'new leadership' in her party and gotten in a public feud with fellow Democrat, Sen Joe Manchin.
She was in a weeks-long back-and-forth with Manchin of West Virginia, taking umbrage when he said: 'She’s more active on Twitter than anything else.'
'I find it amusing when politicians try to diminish the seriousness of our policy work, movement organizing and grassroots fundraising to "she just tweets," as though "serious" politics is only done by begging corporate CEOs for money through wax-sealed envelopes delivered by raven,' Ocasio-Cortez shot back.
During a private meeting of the Steering and Policy Committee - where members secretly voted 46 to 13 in favor of Rice - Democrats called out Ocasio-Cortez for supporting progressive primary challengers over House incumbents, Politico reported.
She also recently suggested there should be new leadership at the top of the caucus, during an appearance on The Intercept's 'Intercepted' podcast.
'You know, for me personally it was when I was waitressing, and I would hear Democrats talk about why the Affordable Care Act was so amazing all the time and how this is the greatest thing ever, and the economy was doing wonderfully,' she recalled. 'And frankly, it is the same trick that Trump pulls, which is, you know, people touting the Dow as a measure of economic success, when we're all getting killed out here.'
'And so, you know, do we need new leadership of the Democratic Party? Absolutely,' she said. 'But how do we ensure that when we shift, we don't even move further to the right?'
The survey also asked about their thoughts on President-elect Joe Biden.
Thirty-six per cent of the respondents said they have a 'very unfavorable impression' of Biden.
On the other hand, 32 per cent said they have a 'very favorable impression' of the incoming president.
Nineteen per cent have a 'somewhat favorable impression' of Biden, while 11 per cent responded that they have a 'somewhat unfavorable impression' of the Democrat.
Two per cent said they are 'not sure'.