Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Abortion Barack Obama Obama supports abortion rights. On Jan. 23, during his first week as president, Obamasigned an executive order restoring federal funding for international organizations that perform or promote abortions in foreign countries. During the October 15, 2008 presidentialdebate, Obama expressed a willingness to support a ban on late-term abortions “as long as there’s an […]
Background Hometown Honolulu, Hawaii Age 48 Religion United Church of Christ Education Harvard Law School, J.D., 1991 Columbia University, B.A., 1983 Candidate Website www.barackobama.com Candidacy Status Formally declared candidacy Feb. 10, 2007. Elected president Nov. 4, 2008 Political Experience U.S. Senator from Illinois, 2005-present Illinois State Senator, 1997-2004 Professional Experience Lecturer, University of Chicago Law […]
Overview Americans continue to render extremely bleak assessments of economic conditions, both with respect to the national economy and their own financial situations. Fully 92% of the public rates the national economy as only fair or poor, and a substantial majority (61%) judges their personal finances that way. Both measures are among the most negative […]
Overview Barack Obama leads John McCain by a 52% to 36% margin in Pew’s latest nationwide survey of 1,325 registered voters. This is the fourth consecutive survey that has found support for the Republican candidate edging down. In contrast, since early October weekly Pew surveys have shown about the same number of respondents saying they […]
Background Hometown Scranton, PA.: Claymont, Del. Age 67 Religion Roman Catholic Education Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 1968 University of Delavware, B.A., 1965 Candidate Website biden.senate.gov Candidacy Status Named Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate on Aug. 23, 2008. Obama and Biden elected president and vice president on Nov. 4, 2008. Political Experience U.S. […]
Barack Obama leads John McCain not only in overall support but also in the intensity of his support. A sizable plurality of 45% says they are voting for Obama and that there is no chance they will vote for McCain. McCain’s “certain” support is much smaller: just 32% are certain to vote for him. Similarly, […]
Background Hometown Green Tree, Pa. Age 74 Religion Baptist Education Duke University School of Medicine, M.D., 1961 Gettysburg College, B.A., 1957 Candidate Website www.ronpaul2008.com Candidacy Status Formally declared candidacy March 12, 2007 Formally withdrew candidacy June 12, 2008 Political Experience U.S. Representative from Texas, 1976-1977, 1979-1985, 1997-present Professional Experience Founder and honorary chairman, Foundation for […]
Increase in Early Voting One of the dramatic changes in this year’s election is the significant increase in the number of voters who cast their ballots before Nov. 4. About a third of voters (34%) say they cast their ballots before Election Day, up from only 20% in 2004 and 2006. Almost one-in-five (19%) say […]