Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

2008

  • report

    A Word about Debate Impressions

    View “word clouds” of voters’ impressions of the performances of John McCain and Barack Obama in their first presidential debate based on one-word descriptions from a recent Pew survey.

  • transcript

    Will the Culture War Matter on Election Day?

    For much of the presidential campaign, it has appeared that moral values issues would play only a small role in the November election. Indeed, at various points both Barack Obama and John McCain shied away from talking about abortion, same-sex marriage and other “culture war” issues. But the selection of Sarah Palin as the Republican […]

  • 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 […]

  • report

    Obama Boosts Leadership Image and Regains Lead Over McCain

    Overview Barack Obama has achieved a significant lead over John McCain in the days following the first presidential debate. Pew’s new survey conducted Sept. 27-29 finds that Obama has moved to a 49% to 42% advantage among registered voters. The race was virtually even in mid-September and early August. Obama had not led McCain by […]

  • short reads

    Ready on Day One?

    Fewer than four-in-ten (37%) say Sarah Palin is qualified to serve as president if necessary.

  • report

    The Bad Rap on the Bailout Bill

    Members who voted against the original House bill are said to be responding to strong opposition to the rescue plan from their constituents, but that’s not what most Americans are saying.

  • report

    Americans Wary of Church Involvement in Partisan Politics

    On Sunday, Sept. 28, more than two dozen pastors challenged a provision in the tax code that restricts the political activities of houses of worship and other tax-exempt organizations. Arguing that they have a constitutional right to speak out on political issues, the pastors discussed the 2008 presidential candidates from the pulpit and, in some […]