Economic Pessimism Grows as Nation’s Real Estate Slump Hits Wealthy Areas
Public assessments of the nation’s economy have fallen to a two-year low. Faced with a steady stream of negative news about the housing market, Americans are substantially less inclined than they were even a few months ago to say they expect home prices to rise over the next few years.
Public Expresses Mixed Views of Islam, Mormonism
The Muslim and Mormon religions have gained increasing national visibility in recent years. Yet most Americans say they know little or nothing about either religion’s practices, and large majorities say that their own religion is very different from Islam and the Mormon religion. At the same time, overall evaluations of Mormons and Muslim Americans are on balance positive.
Voters Assess the ’08 Hopefuls: Clinton Seen as ‘Tough,’ Giuliani Viewed as ‘Energetic’
The public is no more engaged by the presidential campaign than in the spring, but the perceived strengths of some leading candidates are coming into focus.
The Oprah Factor in Campaign ’08
Do political endorsements matter? Generally they have little impact on voter preferences, but there’s no telling whether Oprah Winfrey can do for Obama what she has done for countless books and products.
Petraeus’ Proposals Draw Public Approval, But Fail to Lift War Support
A new Pew survey finds most Americans (57%) approve of the general’s recommendations for troop withdrawals, but just 16% say Petraeus’ statements have made them more optimistic about the war, while 67% say their views were unchanged by the general’s report.
A Study in Contrasts: Clinton and Guiliani
Sen. Hillary Clinton is by far the most popular presidential candidate among her own party’s voters, but among the general public, she has one of the lowest favorable ratings of the leading candidates. In sharp contrast, the front-running Republican candidate, Rudy Giuliani, evokes relatively modest enthusiasm from the GOP base, but is as broadly popular with all voters as any candidate in either party.
A Summer of Discontent with Washington
All three branches of the federal government are under fire from the American public. Just 29% approve of President Bush’s job performance while the proportion with a favorable view of Congress has declined 12 percentage points since January. Even favorable opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court have fallen, from 72% in January to 57% currently.
Hillary Clinton Most Visible Presidential Candidate
Hillary Clinton leads all Democrats with 42% of the public saying they have heard the most about her in the news lately.
Campaign Internet Videos: “Sopranos” Spoof vs. “Obama Girl”
They originate on the internet, but more people are viewing them on TV than online.
Mixed Grades for a Federal Education Law
As Congress prepares to debate reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, Americans express mixed views about the nation’s signature education law. Among those who have heard about the law, 34% say it has made schools better; 26% say it has made them worse; and 32% say it has had no impact.
