Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Search results for: “partisan divide”

Refine Your Results

  • report

    Fox News Stands Out as “Too Critical” of Obama

    Summary of Findings When Americans are asked to assess television news coverage of Barack Obama, Fox News Channel stands out from other networks for being too critical of the president. Nearly three-in-ten (29%) select Fox when asked which of six broadcast and cable news networks have been too critical of the new Democratic president, a […]

  • report

    Americans Remained Focused on Michael Jackson

    Summary of Findings The death of pop star Michael Jackson continued to grab public attention last week, with Americans saying it was the story they followed most closely for the third straight week. Moreover, Jackson’s death was by far the week’s most talked about news story. About three-in-ten (29%) say they followed Jackson’s memorial service […]

  • report

    Obama’s Ratings Slide Across the Board

    Overview Barack Obama’s approval ratings have suffered major declines. The president’s overall job approval number fell from 61% in mid-June to 54% currently. His approval ratings for handling the economy and the federal budget deficit have also fallen sharply, tumbling to 38% and 32%, respectively. Majorities now say they disapprove of the way the president […]

  • report

    End-of-Life Decisions: How Americans Cope

    While most Americans approve of laws that say treatment can be stopped if that’s what a terminally ill patient desires, they are split on what they would do personally in that situation.

  • report

    More See White House and GOP Leaders at Odds

    Overview Americans are in an increasingly sour mood about Washington. Barack Obama’s approval ratings continue to inch downward and a growing proportion of Americans (63%) think that the president and Republican leaders are not working together to deal with important issues facing the nation; in June, 50% said the two sides were not cooperating. While […]

  • report

    Chapter 1. The Battle Against Extremism

    Pakistanis remain concerned about the rise of Islamic extremism in their country and around the world, and views of Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda and the Taliban have grown more negative since last year. In addition, a growing percentage of those who think there is a struggle between groups who want to modernize Pakistan and […]

  • report

    Section 4: The Court and the Congress

    Half of the public (50%) says that the Senate should confirm Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter. By contrast, only a quarter (25%) says the Senate should not confirm the federal appeals court judge from New York, while another quarter (25%) did not express an opinion. Sotomayor has strong […]

  • report

    Chapter 2. Views of President Barack Obama

    U.S. President Barack Obama is popular in nations across much of the world. This is especially true in Western Europe, although he also receives extremely high ratings in countries such as Canada, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, Kenya and Nigeria. In most predominantly Muslim nations surveyed, there is less enthusiasm for the new president, with […]

  • report

    Cockeyed Optimists or Self-Fulfilling Prophets?

    Even while their personal worries have deepened, Americans have been feeling more upbeat about the national economy’s prospects and less concerned about rising inequality. What underlies this trend and can it be sustained?

  • report

    Section 3: Foreign Policy and National Security

    In the aftermath of North Korea’s nuclear test in late May, an increasing proportion of Americans view North Korea’s nuclear program as a “major threat.” Currently, 72% say North Korea’s nuclear program is a major threat to the well-being of the United States, up from just 53% in January. Somewhat more Americans (78%) view Islamic […]