Pew Research Center Staff

After the first presidential debate, the words most used to describe Obama’s performance and McCain’s were “confident” and “experienced,” respectively.

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

One-in-four middle-class workers worry that one or more negative events might affect their job status in the coming year.

Majorities in 14 of 23 countries have a favorable opinion of Americans, compared with only eight with a favorable opinion of the U.S.

Honesty leads the list of desired traits in a political leader.

Fewer than one-in-four Americans think that “women should return to their traditional roles in society.”

Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) favor a government guarantee of universal health insurance, even if it means raising taxes.

Majorities or pluralities in 20 of 24 countries surveyed in the 2008 Pew Global Attitudes poll express unfavorable opinions of Iran.

Half of self-described conservatives now express the view that churches and other houses of worship should stay out of politics; four years ago, only 30% of conservatives expressed this view.

Nearly half of Americans (46%) are unable to correctly identify Barack Obama as a Christian including 13% who still maintain that he is a Muslim and another 16% who say they have heard different things about his religion.