Public Continues to Hear Mixed Economic News
Public views of economic news—both overall and across most sectors—are little changed in recent months.
Eight-in-Ten Following Olympics on TV or Digitally
Large majorities of Americans are following coverage of the Olympic Games in London. Nearly eight-in-ten (78%) say they have watched or followed Olympic coverage either on television, online or on social networks.
Romney’s Personal Image Remains Negative
By a 52% to 37% margin, more voters say they have an unfavorable than favorable view of Mitt Romney. Barack Obama’s image is, by comparison, more positive, though both face lower favorability ratings than most presidential candidates in recent elections. Obama continues to hold a sizable lead over Romney among registered voters, though his edge is narrower in battleground states
Little Public Awareness of Outside Campaign Spending Boom
The public is hearing little about increased spending by outside groups in the 2012 election. Just 25% have heard a lot about outside spending by groups not associated with the candidates or campaigns. Three-quarters are hearing a little or nothing at all about this. And just 40% can correctly identify the term “Super PAC.”
Mobile Phone Problems
Telemarketing calls and spam texts are realities for most cellphone users, according to a new survey. Smartphone owners are particularly likely to report dropped calls and slow download speeds.
Growing Share of Americans Live in Income-Segregated Neighborhoods
Upper- and lower-income Americans are more likely now than 30 years ago to live in economically segregated neighborhoods, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. Residential segregation by income has risen in 27 of the nation’s 30 largest metropolitan areas since 1980, with the big three in Texas — Houston, Dallas and San Antonio — leading the way.
Catholics Share Bishops’ Concerns about Religious Liberty
Catholics who are aware of U.S. bishops’ concerns about restrictions on religious liberty generally agree with the bishops’ concerns, according to a new report. Yet there are no significant differences in presidential vote preferences between Catholic voters who have heard and those who have not heard about the bishops’ protests against government policies they see as restrictive of religious liberty.
Two-Thirds of Democrats Now Support Gay Marriage
Reports that the Democratic Party may add support for gay marriage to its party platform are in keeping with a significant shift of opinion on this issue among Democrats nationwide. A new report finds that support for same-sex marriage among Democrats has jumped from 50% in 2008 to 65% today.
Views on Gun Laws Unchanged After Aurora Shooting
There has been no significant change in public views on the issue of gun control and gun rights following the July 20th shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. Other recent major shootings also had little effect on public opinion about gun laws.
Little Voter Discomfort with Romney’s Mormon Religion
A new Pew Research Center poll finds that voters have limited awareness of Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith and Barack Obama’s religion. And there is little evidence to suggest that concerns about the candidates’ respective faiths will have a meaningful impact in the 2012 fall elections.
