Government

reportAug 19, 2009

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 […]
reportAug 18, 2009

Uncle Sam and Social Media

Federal agencies can, and should, be the first responders to health questions. Social media can help.
reportAug 18, 2009

President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Updated Sept. 9, 2009 On Feb. 5, 2009, two weeks after taking office, President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The new office retains the basic administrative structure of President George W. Bush’s White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The central White House […]
reportAug 13, 2009

Pakistani Public Opinion

Pakistani public opinion has turned against al Qaeda and the Taliban, and no fewer than 69% of those polled express worry that extremists will take control of the nation. Ratings for President Asif Ali Zardari have also plummeted, as Pakistanis see their country in crisis.
reportAug 12, 2009

The Starting Line–Media Coverage of the Faith-Based Initiative in the First Six Months of 2001 and 2009

One common thread between the Obama and Bush administrations is their commitment to advancing the “faith-based” initiative. Yet a new study by PEJ and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that the media created two very different narratives in the early days of the two presidencies.
reportAug 12, 2009

Media Coverage of the Faith-Based Initiative in the First Six Months of 2001 and 2009

Navigate this Report: Accounting for Differences in Coverage Scope and Timing of the Coverage Response to the Initiative Becomes the Narrative Faith Traditions Highlighted in 2001 and 2009 An Inside-the-Beltway Story Methodology When he took over the White House in January 2009, President Barack Obama quickly adopted much of the “faith-based initiative” put into place […]
reportAug 11, 2009

Budget Woes Take Toll on Views of State Governments

Overview With the economy wreaking havoc on state budgets, the favorability ratings of state governments have declined from a year ago. Overall, 50% of the public now holds a favorable opinion of their state government, down from 59% in April 2008. The falloff in positive views has been greater in states with large and moderate […]
short readsAug 10, 2009

Eight Years After 9/11, Fewer See Need to Sacrifice Liberties for Safety

Only a quarter of Americans say it is necessary to give up some civil liberties to curb terrorism, down from 55% shortly after the attacks of 9/11.
reportAug 7, 2009

Public Supports Targeting Al Qaeda Leaders, Wants Congress in the Loop

Americans generally support allowing the Central Intelligence Agency to assassinate al Qaeda leaders, but opinions are more mixed about whether the CIA should have such a program without first informing Congress.
fact sheetJul 9, 2009

The Constitutional Dimensions of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate

In this research package Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage Slideshow: Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage Overview of Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S. Gay Marriage and the Law Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Gay Marriage Gay Marriage Around the World Graphic: State Policies on Same-Sex Marriage Q&A: Gay Marriage and the Free Exercise of Religion On […]