Another Democrat calls for Nationalizing Oil Refinery Industry

The survey found that a plurality of Democrats (37%) believe the oil industry should be nationalized. Just 32% of voters in Barack Obama's party disagree with that approach. Republicans oppose nationalizing the oil industry by a 66% to 16% margin. Unaffiliated voters are opposed by a 47% to 33% margin.

Nationalization is the process by which the government assumes complete control of a private industry and its assets. It has been a common practice in totalitarian dictatorships, but as recently as 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government nationalized the private airport security industry and moved it under the Transportation Security Administration.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of all voters say that private companies are more likely to solve the nation's energy problems than a government research program. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and say the government research program is more likely to find the solution. Again, there is a huge partisan divide. Republicans, by a 71% to 15% margin, say private companies are likely to solve the problem. Democrats, by a 40% to 35% margin, say government research programs are the better bet. A modest plurality of unaffiliated voters place their trust the private company approach.