Perceptions of Economic News Turn More Negative
The public’s perceptions of economic news have taken a turn for the worse. That could be bad news for Barack Obama, who held a lead over Mitt Romney in polling conducted mostly before disappointing jobs report and stock market slide during the week of May 31-June 3.
Public Sees Gas Prices Down Across Much of Nation
About half of Americans say the price of gasoline has gone down over the past month. Those in West Coast states, however, are much more likely to see gasoline prices going up.
Public Attention Focused on U.S. Economy
Americans followed news about the nation’s economy more closely than any other news last week amid new signs the pace of the recovery has slowed.
The Demographics of the Jobs Recovery
Hispanics and Asians are gaining jobs at a faster rate in the economic recovery than are blacks and whites, and immigrants are outpacing the native born. The disparities reflect the rapidly changing demographics of the U.S. workforce.
Public Spreads Blame for Rising Gasoline Prices
While 18% say President Obama or his administration are most to blame, about as many (14%) volunteer the oil companies or domestic oil producers. Roughly one-in-ten (11%) mostly blame Iran, the upheaval in the Middle East or the threat of war in the region.
Auto Bailout Now Backed, Stimulus Divisive
Public support for government loans to major U.S. automakers are viewed more positively today than in the fall of 2009, but there has been less change in opinions about other major economic policies such as the federal loans to banks and financial institutions during the 2008 financial crisis and President Obama’s economic stimulus plan.
Public More Optimistic about Economy, But Concerns Persist
Optimism about the national economy has rebounded in the first two months of this year after sagging in 2011. The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press also finds an uptick in Barack Obama’s job rating.
Hispanics Say They Have the Worst of a Bad Economy
A majority of Latinos (54%) believe that the economic downturn that began in 2007 has been harder on them than on any other ethnic group in America.
Obama: Weak Job Ratings, But Positive Personal Image
Barack Obama begins his fourth year in office facing a struggling economy, an unhappy public, and a lower job approval rating than most of his recent predecessors at a comparable point in their presidencies. However, Obama he still possesses a positive personal image with voters.
