THE LEDGER-STAR
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409210604
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANGIE CANNON, KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Americans are in an ugly mood, and that's a dangerous fact for politicians and others dependent on the kindness of strangers.
That's the bleak conclusion of a major new poll by the Times Mirror Center assessing the national political climate.
The survey paints a picture of an America that has become an increasingly bitter, frustrated, cynical and selfish place over the last seven years. And it portrays a public ever more distrustful and hopeless about its government.
``This is an electorate that is angry, self-absorbed and unanchored politically,'' said Andrew Kohut, director of the Times Mirror Center.
Among the grim details:
Americans are increasingly indifferent toward the problems of blacks and minorities and resentful toward immigrants.
Fewer Americans think government should take care of needy people.
Public disgust with Washington is significantly worse than in 1992. More voters want traditional politicians replaced with a fresh, new batch. And a third party is looking better all the time.
More than 70 percent of Americans think the media, especially television news shows, hurt the country more than they help.
The poll's analysts concluded that the Clinton administration's agenda of change and economic recovery have failed to reverse an overwhelming political cynicism in the country. ILLUSTRATION: AMERICAN ATTITUDES GETTING MORE SOUR
KRTN Graphic
KEYWORDS: POLL AMERICANS ANGER by CNB