Massive Splits Between Clinton & Trump Voters Show Diametrically Opposed Views On Cultural Issues

Yet another new poll explores the massive fault lines between Democrats and Republicans, and between Clinton and Trump supporters. NBC's headline sums up yet again the fundamental argument that cultural attitudes -- and not economic forces -- distinguish Democrats from Republicans.  We recap revelations in the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. 

More than 8-in-10 Clinton voters are comfortable with a changing America. Change comes in many forms, but most Clinton voters are not only positive -- but excited -- about an American experiment that see self-perceived whites as no longer being the majority of Americans. By contrast, only one quarter of Trump voters welcome these changes. 

“The ‘Culture Wars’ have been with us forever, and they remain today,” says Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.

“America has gone through rapid change, and the results of the Social Trend survey tell us that a majority of Americans are now comfortable with our increasingly diverse country,” McInturff adds. “But this sits at the heart of the Clinton-Trump divide, as 81 percent of Clinton voters say they are ‘comfortable’ with these changes, compared to only 28 percent of Trump voters.”

Immigration Debate

Another key divide emerges on the subject of immigration, with 81% of Democrats believing that immigration strengthens America, compared to 44% of Republicans. The two parties were much closer -- with Dems still higher but only by 8% in 2005. That 8% spread has grown to 37% in the last 12 years, making it a dramatic split in the country. 

Gay Marriage

79 percent of Clinton voters, 77 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of independents favor gay marriage, versus 42 percent of Republicans and 37 percent of Trump voters say the support gay marriage.