Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

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June 1, 2009

  • short reads

    Partisan Divide on Obligation to the Needy

    A substantial majority of Democrats say that it is the government’s responsibility “to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves” while less than half of Republicans take that view.

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    Teens Playing ‘Adults Only’ Games

    Roughly a third of teenagers who play video games report that at least one of their favorite games is rated Mature or Adults Only.

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    Civic-Minded Teen Video Gamers

    Roughly two-thirds of teens who play video games with others in person engage in charitable or political activities.

  • short reads

    Better Off Feeling Worse Off

    The share of higher-income Americans who feel satisfied financially has fallen from 85% to 65% in two years.

  • report

    Sotomayor Spin Wars Dominate the Narrative

    Even as many observers predicted Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor would win confirmation, the first days of coverage were defined by harsh rhetoric and ideological combat. It was another example of the media’s enduring affinity for the conflict frame of news.

  • report

    No Decline in Belief That Obama is a Muslim

    More than two months into Barack Obama’s presidency, as many people incorrectly identify him as a Muslim as did so during the 2008 campaign with white evangelicals and Republicans most likely to misidentify his religious affiliation.

  • report

    Interest in Economic News Surges

    Summary of Findings Interest in news about the U.S. economy skyrocketed last week, with 70% of Americans following economic developments very closely, up from 56% the previous week. Interest in economic news is broadly bipartisan with equal proportions of Republicans, Democrats and independents following news about current economic conditions very closely. The public also paid […]