Support for a Dignity Strategy

 

September 20, 2024

Panel Scores and Comments Offer Support

for a Dignity Strategy

The National Citizens Panel, created by UNITE and More in Common to score political language for dignity and contempt, released its second round of scores today, offering support for the idea of a political “Dignity Strategy” put forward by UNITE founder and Dignity Index co-creator Tim Shriver.

“When our political parties use the contempt strategy – demonizing their opponents to energize their supporters – it has an unintended effect,” said Shriver. “It turns away the voters they need to win. The candidate that can treat the other side with dignity has a better chance of winning the swing voters who may decide this election.”

In 2018, More in Common published the Hidden Tribes report, coining the term “Exhausted Majority” for the two-thirds of Americans who were tired of politics, more flexible on their policies, and more open to compromise. More in Common’s latest survey found that now three in four Americans say “they feel exhausted by the division in politics.”

The National Citizens Panel’s scores, explanations and comments are showing that panelists on the left and right can agree on the presence of dignity or contempt in political speech no matter who is speaking or what they’re saying. And the panelists not only recognize dignity; they respond to it. 

  • 91% of our panelists agree “It’s important to me that politicians and media personalities treat other Americans with dignity and respect.” 

  • 81% say “I lose respect for politicians and media personalities who can’t treat their opponents with dignity and respect.”

“The point of scoring with the Dignity Index is not to judge or condemn anyone for contempt, or even to give anyone an award for dignity,” said Tom Rosshirt, also a Dignity Index co-creator. “It’s to train ourselves to see the hidden cause of division – which is treating each other with contempt. People say contempt works, but that’s true only when it’s disguised as virtue. When contempt is exposed, it backfires.”

THE LATEST SCORES

Panelists score by matching language from the speech passage with descriptions in the Dignity Index scoring guide, which is available here. 

 
 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
There are still serious people who understand that the only way to actually move the country forward is when you have reasonable Democrats and reasonable Republicans who compromise and work together — and that’s not a dirty word.
Elissa Slotkin
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan during a speech.
6 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
We talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share, and using them as a basis for cooperation.
Subtext goes here
We don’t let our disagreements keep us from cooperating on the things we agree on.
Subtext goes here
Believes they have a duty to talk to the other side, find common interests and values, and use them as a basis for cooperation.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
This commentary invites discussion and cooperation something that is rare these days among politicians.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This speaker is saying that in order to move forward we have to unite and have people from both parties willing to work together. She understands that politics have become divisive instead of uniting the way we were meant to.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This is the way it is supposed to be. There is so much name calling that we never get to the issues at hand.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
56% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
6.08
• Left Avg: 5.92
• Middle Avg: 6.23
• Right Avg: 6.05
Agreement: Very Strong
99%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Just think about how stupid you have to be to say that. Then think about how stupid you have to be to clap for that.
Lawrence O'Donnell
Responding to a clip of Trump claiming that Venezuela will be safer than New York if Kamala Harris wins the upcoming election.
3 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Disdains the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Yes it is an outrageous statement, that should never of been made. But the better way to approach it is to show the proof and then leave it at that.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Calling the other side stupid is not treating them with dignity
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
63% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
3.16
• Left Avg: 3.12
• Middle Avg: 3.33
• Right Avg: 3.95
Agreement: Very Strong
96%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
When a political candidate comes up with what I think is a good idea, I have to call it a good idea. And a $50,000 tax cut—not tax cut but tax credit—for small businesses, coupled with less red tape, I gotta say that is a good idea. Regardless of her other tax ideas.
Stuart Varney
Conservative political commentator referring to a proposed tax policy from Kamala Harris on Fox Business Live.
6 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Can see the good in the other side and will acknowledge their skills and accomplishments.
Subtext goes here
We don’t let our disagreements keep us from cooperating on the things we agree on.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
In my opinion this is a 6 because we can clearly see the acknowledgement/ cooperation when it is a good idea. and I would love to see more people like that. In the world we are living today, we can see candidates giving great ideas but just because we don't like them we don't acknowledge/ or don't say anything and that's wrong.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I scored this a 7 based on the person's current political leanings. It takes guts to praise an opponents idea and certainly can lead to discussions on the subject that ultimately could benefit the country.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
51% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
5.67
• Left Avg: 5.64
• Middle Avg: 5.73
• Right Avg: 5.62
Agreement: Very Strong
97%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
I think it's because Donald Trump and JD Vance need to change the way they speak about women. You don't need to call Kamala dumb; she didn’t get this far just by accident. She's here, that's what it is—she's a prosecutor. You don't need to talk about intelligence or looks or anything else, just focus on the policies. When you call even a Democrat woman dumb, Republican women get their backs up too. The bottom line is we win on policies.
Nikki Haley
Former Republican Presidential candidate in an interview on "Fox & Friends".
5 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Speaks openly, explaining their views, but never with contempt.
Subtext goes here
I share my views with no contempt so they're easier for others to hear.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
I'm glad someone is trying to cool down the rehetoric. It is just sad that in this day and age, that we praise something that should not even be a topic of discussion
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I scored this a 7 as I actually saw the interview where Haley made this comment. I think comments like this are needed to move the needle away from personal opinion and toward discussions on policy issues that will lead the country forward. Given the current political climate in the Trump era, these type of statements are necessary from both sides to show the American people that politicians are capable of returning to discussions on policy issues that are important to the people.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
57% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
5.29
• Left Avg: 5.40
• Middle Avg: 5.33
• Right Avg: 5.09
Agreement: Strong
83%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
President Trump is right: what's in our best interest is for the killing to stop. Kamala Harris's incompetence will lead us into World War 3.
JD Vance
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter)
3 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Disdains the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
I feel like this statement is pretty disheartening from coming from any candidate or any political person against somebody else
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This statement is meant to make Kamala look bad, using a possible world changing event to drive home his point.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
38% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
2.67
• Left Avg: 2.48
• Middle Avg: 2.67
• Right Avg: 2.90
Agreement: Very Strong
96%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
We simply can't afford career politicians who just nod along with the DC crowd and get nothing done. It's time to retire Tammy Baldwin and send a real problem solver to Washington.
Eric Hovde
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
4 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Distorts or renames an opponent’s position to make it sound unappealing.
Subtext goes here
We’re better than those people. They don’t really belong. They don’t really share our values.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
I feel this is an attack because we are attacking somebody else performance. basically against that person just because we maybe disagree on the things, on the solution the person is doing and so on.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
The speaker instead of presenting solutions to ore problems instead demonizes the opponent as a do nothing who just goes along with the rest of the crowd
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
46% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
3.88
• Left Avg: 3.80
• Middle Avg: 3.90
• Right Avg: 3.95
Agreement: Moderate
78%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Donald Trump is exactly what we knew him to be, we knew exactly what he, his true colors were on full display, its not his makeup but his character, and I said this "you saw that caricature of an old man shaking his hands at clouds and telling kids to get off of his yard." Thats what he did. Obsessed with the past and this is what is unforgivable. Rooting against the American people. Rooting against this country.
Tim Walz
During a speech at a rally in Superior, WI
3 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Disdains the other side.
Subtext goes here
We're the good people; they're the bad people. It's us vs. them.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Again I feel this is a personal attack. I feel there's always a proper way/respectful way of saying certain things without using contempt. Something I learned is that contempt does not help in any situation. It just make things more complicated. attacking somebody will bring more attack.It's like they said contempt bring more contempt.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I feel there is a way to point out these flaws while still being civil. He missed the mark.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
47% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
2.97
• Left Avg: 3.24
• Middle Avg: 2.87
• Right Avg: 2.81
Agreement: Very Strong
91%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
My son, Aiden Clark, was not murdered. He was accidentally killed by an immigrant from Haiti. This tragedy is felt all over this community, the state, and even the nation. But don't spin this towards hate. In order to live like Aiden, you need to accept everyone, choose to shine, make the difference, lead the way, and be the inspiration. What many people in this community and state and nation are doing is the opposite of what you should be doing. Sure, we have our problems here in Springfield and in the U.S., but does Aiden Clark have anything to do with that?
Nathan Clark
Father of the 11-year-old boy who died in a car accident in Springfield, OH
8 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Has no sense of moral superiority. They don’t look down on anyone.
Subtext goes here
Everyone is born with inherent worth, so I treat everyone with dignity no matter what.
Subtext goes here
Can respond to contempt by treating the other person with dignity. That’s how they love their enemies.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Nathan Clark speaks with dignity. It also serves as a fine example of what dignity looks like as measured by the metrics of this study.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
He responded to a great personal tragedy by treating those demonized by others with dignity and respect while calling on others not to treat people with contempt in his son's name
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
30% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
6.46
• Left Avg: 6.64
• Middle Avg: 6.63
• Right Avg: 6.00
Agreement: Very Strong
93%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY

All of the National Citizen Panelist quotes have been attributed verbatim to retain the authenticity of the language.

Press Contact: press@unite.us

 
Guest Usernational citizens panel