THE CLAIM: The moderators of Tuesday evening's vice presidential debate on CBS argued that democracy is the country's No. 2 problem after the economy and inflation.
Verdict: False. Immigration is the second most important issue in this country, according to most polls during the election.
Towards the end of the debate, one of the moderators moved to the issue of protecting democracy, which she argued was the second most important issue for voters.
“Let's talk about the state of our democracy, which is the most important issue for Americans after the economy and inflation,” she said, attempting to revisit issues from the 2020 presidential election.
But her claim that democracy is the second most important issue is false. Polls during the election clearly showed that immigration was the second most important issue in this country, behind the economy.
A September Harvard and Harris University study reveals showed Rising prices and inflation were the top issue, with 42% choosing it as the most important issue facing the country. Close behind, 33% cite immigration as the biggest issue facing the country. It was followed by the economy and employment (29%), health care (17%) and women's rights (16%).
June Cygnal Survey showed 27.9% said inflation and the economy were their top priority, followed by illegal immigration at 19.7%. In that survey, “threat to democracy” actually came in second at 15.3 percent.
Moreover, some studies even show that immigration is the biggest problem. For example, a May Gallup poll identified immigration as the country's biggest problem. Breitbart News reported at the time:
In a Gallup poll, released On Tuesday, 27% of Americans said immigration was the biggest problem facing the United States, followed by government, the economy and inflation. This is the third month in a row that immigration has been cited as the top issue among Americans, and the first time in 24 years.
As expected, six months before the 2024 presidential election, Republicans and floating voters are much more likely than Democrats to say immigration is the most important issue.
Almost 50% of Republicans and 25% of voters list immigration as their top concern, compared to just 8% of Democrats who say the same.
The claim that Americans are more concerned about “threats to democracy” than immigration is simply false.
