America’s top fears: Public speaking, heights and bugs

Democrats are nearly twice as likely as Republicans to have a fear of clowns. They are also significantly more likely to fear bugs, snakes and other animals, as well as blood and needles. Democrats are slightly more likely to be afraid of ghosts.

These are among the findings of the Chapman University Survey on American Fears, which examined American fears and anxieties across a variety of topics - personal safety, the government, disasters and more. Last week I reported on partisan differences in Americans' belief in the occult, noting that Democrats were more enthusiastic believers in the paranormal than Republicans.