Selling skeptical Americans on free college is a tougher job than anticipated.
Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton jumped on the “free” college bandwagon earlier this month, but most Americans see through her plan, according to a Rasmussen poll. Even Democrats, who are more in favor of it than Republicans and independents, realize that college won’t really be free — taxpayers will foot the bill.
Forty-five percent of adults favor eliminating tuition at in-state public colleges for families who makes less than $125,000 a year. Almost as many, 43 percent, are opposed and 12 percent are undecided.
The results are significantly different when accounting for those who recognize tuition won’t really be free. An overwhelming majority, 82 percent, recognize this, compared to just 7 percent who think it’s free. Eleven percent are unsure.
A strong majority of those who are favor the plan, 72 percent, realize it will not be free. For those who oppose it, 94 percent say it will not be free.
Majorities of Democrats (69 percent), blacks (63 percent), and those under age 40 (54 percent) favor the plan. Younger adults, whom Hillary is still trying to appeal to, are more likely to be duped into thinking the plan is free, though all adults realize the reality of the situation.
Fifty-nine percent of Republicans and 49 percent of those not affiliated with either party oppose the plan. Americans with children in their home are also more likely to oppose the plan than those who do not have children living with them.
Young voters favor the plan, which could benefit Hillary. But, if enough of them realize that college isn’t free, and the implications for taxpayers, it ought to give them pause when it comes to Hillary’s plans and promises.
Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, who has climbed to second place among millennials, criticized Hillary’s plan as pandering and instead suggested eliminating government student loans to cut the cost.
Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump has made similar suggestions.
