Misreading the 2012 Election
Postelection talk of “lessons learned” is often exaggerated and misleading, and so it is in 2012, writes Pew Research President Andrew Kohut.
American, Chinese Publics Increasingly Wary of the Other
As economic and geopolitical competition grows between the U.S. and China, Americans say they want to get tougher with China on economic issues and the Chinese hold a more negative view of relations with the U.S.
The Whole World is Watching
When Americans elect a president they are also effectively electing the leader of the world. So voters’ views on Libya, Iran, the Arab Spring and China will shape the conduct of international relations for years to come. This year’s presidential election may not turn on foreign policy, but the world certainly has a stake in the outcome.
Social Media Debate Sentiment Less Critical of Obama than Polls and Press Are
Social media came to a much different initial verdict about the first presidential debate than did the early polls and the conventional press, according to an analysis of the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and blogs by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism.
Youth Engagement Falls; Registration Also Declines
Young voters are significantly less engaged in this year’s election than at a comparable point in 2008 and now lag far behind older voters in interest in the campaign and intention to vote.
Americans Feel No Better or Worse Off in the Obama Years; Politics Colors Views of Recession’s Toll
Americans do not rate their personal finances any better –or worse – than they did when Barack Obama took office nearly four years ago. And while income is a major factor in people’s views of their personal finances, so too is their partisan affiliation.
A Closer Look at the Parties in 2012
As the 2012 party conventions approach, the Democratic Party continues to maintain an advantage in party identification among voters, but its lead is much smaller than it was in 2008.
Conventions Still Draw Sizable Audience, Boost Campaign Interest
Despite limited prime-time coverage, the Republican and Democratic conventions still give the parties a chance to define their presidential candidates and spark public interest in the campaign.
The Complicated Politics of Abortion
Following Missouri GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin’s controversial comments about abortion, our summary looks at previous public opinion reports on abortion among Democrats and Republicans and in the campaign.
Up to 1.7M Youths May Benefit From New Deportation Rules
An updated analysis of President Obama’s new deportation policy finds 1.7 million of 4.4 million unauthorized immigrants ages 30 and under could qualify for temporary but renewable work permits to remain in the U.S. legally.
