More than 70 percent of voters say diversity is not a good enough reason to give minorities preferential treatment

A June 3 poll showed American voters disagreed 71 – 19 percent with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayer’s ruling in the New Haven firefighters’ case.

In that survey more than 70 percent of voters said diversity is not a good enough reason to give minorities preferential treatment in competition for government or private sector jobs.

Looking at specifics of affirmative action, American voters:

· Support 55 – 39 percent affirmative action for the disabled in hiring, promotions and college admissions.

· Oppose 70 – 25 percent giving some racial groups preference for government jobs to increase diversity.

· Oppose 74 – 21 percent giving some racial groups preference for private sector jobs to

increase diversity.

· Oppose 61 – 33 percent affirmative action for blacks in hiring, promotion and college

entry. Black voters support this 69 – 26 percent, as do Hispanics 51 – 46 percent;

· Oppose 62 – 32 percent affirmative action for white women in hiring, promotion and

college entry.