Happiness Index of Obama Coalition Plummets After Reelection

Happiness Index of Obama Coalition Plummets After Reelection

President Barack Obama won reelection largely, in part, because blacks, Hispanics, and young voters overwhelmingly went to the polls for him. But a new Harris Poll “Happiness index” study has found each of these groups are considerably less happy since Obama’s reelection.

The poll found that while 44% of blacks were “very happy” in 2011, only 36% were in 2013, which is still two percentage points higher than whites (34%).

Hispanics, on the other hand, are the most unhappy, according to the study. Only 28% of Hispanics are “very happy” in 2013, compared to 35% in 2011. The report suggests Hispanics may be unhappy because of the contentious immigration debate. 

In 2011, the poll found that 35% of college graduates were likely to be “very happy.” That number has dropped to 32% in 2013-possibly because of a “challenged job market and increasing questions of whether a college degree in this day and age is returning on the time and monetary investment.”

In the 2012 election, Obama won 93% of the black vote, 71% of the Hispanic vote. In addition, 60% of voters aged 18-29 voted for Obama. 

The Harris poll surveyed 2,345 adults online between April 10 and 15 for its study.

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