Occupy Wall Street is now the most popular protest movement in America.
Time Magazine/ABT SRBI. 10/9-10. Adults. MoE 4%.
Q8: Is your opinion of the tea party movement very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, very unfavorable, or don't you know enough about the tea party to have an opinion?
Very favorable: 8%
Somewhat favorable: 19%
Somewhat unfavorable: 9%
Very unfavorable: 24%
Don't know enough: 39%
No answer: 1%
Q: In the past few days, a group of protesters has been gathering on Wall Street in New York City and some other cities to protest policies which favor the rich, the government's bank bailout, and the influence of money in our political system. Is your opinion of these protests very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, very unfavorable, or don't you know enough about the protests to have an opinion?
Very favorable: 25%
Somewhat favorable: 29%
Somewhat unfavorable: 10%
Very unfavorable: 13%
Don't know enough: 23%
No answer: 1%
Overall, the tea party comes in with a net favorable rating of negative 6 percent, versus a net positive rating of 31 percent for Occupy Wall Street.
This survey finds a significantly more favorable view of Occupy Wall Street than other recent polling. This is likely due to the way the question was asked, in that Occupy Wall Street was described as holding several popular positions.
Even so, thus far there is a consensus among pollsters that at least a plurality of Americans view Occupy Wall Street favorably. By contrast, all recent polls have shown that at least a plurality of Americans view the tea party unfavorably.