Gas Prices, Disasters Top News Interest in 2007
Man-made and natural disasters dominated the list of the public’s top news stories in 2007 but, as was the case in 2006, the rising price of gasoline attracted the largest audience of any news story.
Primary Preview: Dynamics Differ for the Two Parties in Early Races
For Democratic candidates, the decisive factors in Iowa and New Hampshire are personal and tactical; for GOP contestants, however, the ultimate outcome may be decided by the relative strength of newly combative ideological elements.
What Was — and Wasn’t — On the Public’s Mind in 2007
A compilation of the top 15 stories in which public opinion played a significant role, and the year’s most notable “non-barking dogs.”
Primary Problems: How Exit Pollsters Plan to Cope with a Super-Crowded Election Season
From holiday distractions to winter weather, the people who will be measuring voters’ preferences in primaries and caucuses around the nation will be dealing with unprecedented problems. Here’s how they plan to do it.
Oprah Boosts Obama’s Visibility; Republicans Applaud Romney Speech
Awareness of Winfrey’s support for Obama was equally high across parties, genders and racial groups; leading GOP candidates still lag behind Obama and Clinton in public visibility.
The Courting of Iowa and New Hampshire: Many are Robo-Called but Fewer Are Listening
Voters, especially Democrats, in two early primary states are being inundated with phone calls, mail and other campaign contacts; but so far there are few signs of campaign fatigue.
Public Still Getting To Know Leading GOP Candidates
While 86% of the public can name Rudy Giuliani as the former NYC mayor, only about half as many correctly identified Mitt Romney as a Mormon and even fewer knew that he was a former Mass. governor.
GOP Race Unsettled in Politically Diverse Early States
Likely Republican voters in the three politically disparate early primary states express less enthusiasm about their field of presidential candidates, and many voice only modest support for their choices.
Public Opinion About Mormons
Mitt Romney’s speech discussing the role of religion in American politics addressed a public among which many harbor doubts about his Mormon faith.
Clinton Pressed in Iowa, But Holds Solid Leads Elsewhere
Democrats enter the presidential primary campaign upbeat about their candidates and united in their views on major issues. Sen. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic frontrunner in three key early primary states, holding a slim five-point edge in Iowa and more substantial 19-point and 14-point leads in New Hampshire and South Carolina, respectively.
