We may think the question of secession was settled in 1865 but to judge from the results of a new Zogby poll such is not the case. Almost one American in five believes that it’s okay to “peaceably secede from the United States and become an independent republic.” Eighteen percent would support a secession movement in their own state.
The results aren’t that easy to interpret. Okay, overall for support for secession is highest (26%) below the Mason-Dixon line (hell no, we ain’t forgot!) but it’s 24% in the East.
Politically liberals are much more likely to support it than conservatives (32% vs. 17%), which may reflect the post ’94 conservative political ascendency. Calls for secession have been loudest in deep blue places like Vermont and San Francisco.
In the race/ethnic category, the disparity is even more striking. Nearly half of Hispanics (43%) and a third of African-Americans (33%) would support it, but only 17% of whites.
A followup question asked if “the United States’ system is broken and cannot be fixed by traditional two-party politics and elections.” Nearly half (44%) of respondents agreed.
Are we heading for troubled waters again?
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