Indonesians upbeat about Obama and the U.S., despite the president’s cancelled trips
President Obama has cancelled a trip to Indonesia for the third time because of troubles at home.
Public Anger at Government Rises
Overall, 26% of Americans say they are angry at the federal government, while 51% feel frustrated. Just 17% say they are basically content with the government. Anger is most palpable among conservative Republicans.
Opposition to Syrian Airstrikes Surges
There is increased opposition to U.S. airstrikes in Syria, as many undecided Americans have turned against the idea. Obama’s job approval has slipped into negative territory — particularly on foreign policy — and most say Congress should have the final say on Syria.
A Popular Obama Heads to G20
By Andrew Kohut As President Obama heads to the G20 summit in St. Petersburg this week he remains the most popular world leader. Ordinary citizens in most countries, with some notable exceptions, say they have confidence in him to do the right thing in world affairs and many generally approve of his policies. But over […]
Obama returns focus to America’s struggling middle class
As President Obama prepares to make a “major” speech on the economy today, our past reports describe the challenges the middle class has faced in the past decades.
Many Say Economic Recovery Long Way Off
Four years after the recession officially ended, the economic recovery remains a long way off in the view of many Americans. And opinions of economic conditions have slipped back to levels from earlier this year.
America’s Global Image Remains More Positive Than China’s
While publics around the world believe China’s economic power is rising, it has not led to more positive ratings for the country.
Polling’s mixed message for 2014, 2016
At midyear, the national opinion polls provide little indication of which way the political wind is blowing looking ahead to 2014, and 2016. Most of the key public opinion measures are mixed, or uncertain.
Describing Obama, Bush in a word
Public views of Barack Obama today are very different from those of George W. Bush at about this point in his second term. Obama’s job rating is in positive territory, while Bush’s tilted negative. But a look at the one-word descriptions of the two men finds some common ground. Most notably, the word incompetent appears high on the one-word list for each.
For African Americans, discrimination is not dead
America’s struggles with race and racism are never completely out of the news. But it is hard to remember when a series of stories have given this issue such resonance, whether in the rulings of the Supreme Court on affirmative action and voting rights, a tense trial in a Florida courtroom and even the racially insensitive comments of a celebrity chef.
