The sweeping changes in family structure that have occurred roughly over the past 50 years have split the public into three roughly equal groups: Accepters, Rejecters and Skeptics.

In the case of a federal government shutdown, the public splits — and sharply so along partisan lines — over whether President Obama or Republicans in Congress are to blame.

Only in Nigeria, among predominately Muslim countries surveyed, does a plurality express positive views of al Qaeda as well as its leader bin Laden.

In a 2010 survey, the extremist group Hezbollah receives its most positive ratings in Jordan, where 55% of Muslims have a favorable view; a slim majority (52%) of Lebanese Muslims also support the group.

In the 11 months since the health care reform was signed into law, debate about the controversial measure has accounted for only 1.9% of the overall newshole.