Searching For Clues in the Global Warming Puzzle
Why do fewer Americans believe the earth is warming? A range of possibilities, including a sour economy and, perhaps, a cooler than normal summer in parts of the U.S., may provide an explanation.
Fewer Americans See Solid Evidence of Global Warming
There has been a sharp decline in the percentage of Americans who say there is solid evidence that global temperatures are rising. Still, there is more support than opposition for cap and trade policy.
Public Finds Afghanistan News Unchanging, Hard to Follow
As interest in the war remains modest, most Americans are unable to correctly estimate the number of U.S. fatalities in Afghanistan. Also, a majority now expects health care reform to pass.
Swine Flu News Gets a Shot in the Arm
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say the media are overstating the danger of the swine flu and that they would not get vaccinated.
What Does the Public Know?
There is a lot to keep up with in the news right now. Many Americans know key facts about health care and the economy, but questions about Afghanistan and environmental legislation in Congress stump the public.
But What Do the Polls Show?
Perhaps the best way to think about public opinion and its relationship to politics and policymaking is that the American public is typically short on facts, but often long on judgment.
Obama’s Nobel Prize
News that President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is another sign of his international appeal, as his election effectively turned around America’s negative image in many countries.
Most Still Oppose Gay Marriage, but Support for Civil Unions Continues to Rise
A 57% majority of Americans support civil unions, continuing a long-term trend of increasing support, but a majority still opposes same-sex marriage. The issue continues to sharply divide religious and political groups.
Mixed Views of Economic Policies and Health Care Reform Persist
Most Americans remain optimistic that Barack Obama’s policies will help the economy, but see no clear signs of recovery yet; many key provisions of health care reform remain popular but support for the overall package has slipped.
Public Renews Rx for Health Care News
Health care has been the public’s top story for weeks, and few say it has received too much media coverage. But a large majority still finds the topic hard to understand.
