Pew Research Center survey reports, demographic studies and data-driven analysis
Public Sees No Improvement in Economic News
Most Americans continue to see a mix of good and bad economic news. The Gulf oil leak still tops news interest.
Fueling Both Sides of the Energy Debate
Americans want expanded exploration and development of coal, oil and gas in the U.S. but also want limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. Michele Obama’s favorability stays strong but the president’s and Sarah Palin’s popularity slip.
Public Trusts Media for Oil Spill News More than Feds, BP
For information about the Gulf, the public has far more trust in the news media than in either the government or BP. Americans are far more interested in the environmental impact of the disaster than in the response of politicians or assessments of blame for the disaster.
Doubts About Obama’s Economic Policies Rose Over the Last Year
For the first time, slightly more say the impact of Obama’s economic policies has been negative rather than positive; many see recovery as distant; views on financial reforms are mixed.
Public Remains Fixated by Oil Spill
The Gulf oil spill continues to grab the public’s attention. Interest in the disaster rivals attention paid to the Haiti earthquake earlier this year.
Seniors are Strongest Advocates for Change in 2010
Older Americans have a more negative view of incumbents, are more likely to vote for a candidate with no elective experience and less likely to support those who compromise than are Americans younger than age 65.
Public Not as Ready as Media for Elections
Perceptions of financial regulation are similar to views of health care reform last year: many say the issue is important, personal and interesting, but also hard to understand.
What Has America Talking?
The news topics that come up frequently in conversation have changed markedly in recent years. Check out what’s being traded around the nation’s water coolers.
What Kind of Candidates are Voters Looking for in November?
Americans are less likely to vote for a candidate who supported TARP, more likely to back one who compromises, and split on health care supporters. Neither party has an advantage on the economy, but the GOP has improved on several issues. Sharp rise in BP criticism over the oil spill.
Assessing the Cell Phone Challenge
With fully a quarter of the U.S. adult population now relying solely on cell phone service, pollsters and other survey researchers face a difficult decision as to whether to include cell phones in their samples. A joint study by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Internet & American Life Project takes an up-to-date look at the potential biases in findings based on landline-only surveys.
