Election, Tragedies Dominate 2012 News
The public’s news interests were very much focused on domestic developments this year, with the election outcome, last week’s horrific school shooting and Hurricane Sandy leading the list of the top stories of 2012.
Public Attitudes toward Gun Control
Public opinion on previous mass shootings has been divided and unchanged.
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.
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.
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.
Older Americans Have Been Highly Resistant to Medicare Changes
Older Americans are wary of changes to Medicare than are younger people. They are more positive about the way the program operates, less apt to think that changes are needed and far less disposed towards Paul Ryan’s proposal to reshape Medicare.
Party Affiliation and Election Polls
In every campaign cycle, pollwatchers pay close attention to the details of every election survey. And well they should. But focusing on the partisan balance of surveys is, in almost every circumstance, the wrong place to look.
Romney’s Overseas Trip a Chance to Burnish Foreign Policy Credentials
Mitt Romney’s trip to Europe and Israel this week highlights a potential weakness of his candidacy.
