News

Podcast Downloading 2008 August 28, 2008
According to a new survey, as gadgets with digital audio capability proliferate, podcast downloading continues to increase. Currently, 19% of all internet users say they have downloaded a podcast so they could listen to it or view it later. This most recent percentage is up from 12% of internet users who reported downloading podcasts in our August 2006 survey and 7% in our February-April 2006 survey. Still, podcasting has yet to become a fixture in the everyday lives of internet users, as very few internet users download podcasts on a typical day. To view more from this survey, Click here.

Men or Women: Who's the Better Leader? August 25, 2008
Americans believe women have the right stuff to be political leaders. When it comes to honesty, intelligence and a handful of other character traits they value highly in leaders, the public rates women superior to men, according to a new nationwide Pew Research Center Social and Demographic Trends survey. To view more from this survey, click here.

National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Campus Environment 2008: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education August 21, 2008
According to a new survey, a large majority of colleges and universities continue to say that environmental or sustainability programs fit the culture and values of their campus. Solid majorities again say environmental or sustainability programs are good public relations and are cost effective. A sizeable minority say their programs are helpful in recruiting students as well as faculty and staff. Notably, schools have grown more appreciative of these benefits since 2001. To view more from this survey, click here.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 -- August 2008 August 19, 2008
The latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 poll finds that one in four (24%) Americans continue to struggle with paying for health care. Health care ranks as a "serious problem" above paying for food (18%), problems with debt (16%), and paying the rent or mortgage (15%) and below paying for gas (37%) or getting a good paying job or raise in pay (26%). To view more from this survey, click here.

Inflation Staggers Public, Economy Still Seen as Fixable July 31, 2008
According to a new poll, the public continues to be extremely downbeat about the national economy. Just 10% say the economy is in good shape, while 72% say the economy is either in a recession (54%) or a depression (18%). On a personal level, concerns about rising prices have surged. Beyond widespread anxiety about energy costs, a growing number of Americans say it is difficult for them to afford food. To view more from this survey, Click here.

America's Four Middle Classes July 29, 2008
There isn't one American middle class; there are four. Each is different from the others in its attitudes, outlook and financial circumstance--sometimes in ways that defy traditional stereotypes of the middle class, according to an analysis of a recent national survey conducted by the Pew Research Center Social and Demographic Trends Project. To view more from this survey, Click here.

Newsweek Poll: Obama and God

July 11, 2008
The latest Newsweek poll finds Barack Obama leading John McCain by a margin of 44% to 41% among registered voters nationally. The current statistical tie is a significant change from last month's poll, which showed the Illinois Senator with a double-digit lead, 51% to 36%. While some of this difference is likely explained by sampling error, the closer margin may also reflect more stable poll numbers as a "bounce" in support for Obama after his rival, Hillary Clinton, left the race and endorsed him has waned. To view more from this poll click here.

Likely Rise in Voter Turnout Bodes Well for Democrats July 10, 2008
The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, finds greater public interest and engagement in the presidential election than during the five previous campaigns. Fully 72% say they are giving quite a lot of thought to this election - by far the highest percentage at this point in the campaign since 1988. The proportion saying they are more interested in politics this year than during the previous campaign is greater than it has been since 1992. And public interest in campaign news has been consistently higher than in recent elections. To view more from this survey, Click here.

Newsweek Poll: What Do Americans Know?

June 28, 2008
The most recent Newsweek poll quizzed the public on a variety of topics, ranging from politics and government to foreign affairs, economics, science and health, and the arts. To view more from this survey, click here.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 -- June 2008 June 25, 2008
The latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 poll finds that the recent economic downturn continues to create serious financial problems for most Americans. When asked about the impact of recent economic changes, nearly six in 10 adults (59 percent) report having a "serious problem" with one of seven major financial issues, including one in four who cite paying for health care as a serious problem. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Obama Gaining Ground

June 20, 2008
A Newsweek poll shows Barack Obama has gained significant ground in the presidential race against John McCain. The Illinois Senator now has a double-digit lead, 51% to 36%, over his GOP rival among registered voters nationwide. In the previous Newsweek poll, completed in late May when Hillary Clinton was still fighting hard for the Democratic nomination, Obama managed no better than a 46%-46% tie with McCain. Obama is running much stronger at this point in the race than his two most recent predecessors, John Kerry and Al Gore, who both failed in their bids to win the White House. To view more from this survey, click here.

How Many Are Underinsured? Trends Among U.S. Adults, 2003 and 2007 June 10, 2008
The number of underinsured U.S. adults that is, people who have health coverage that does not adequately protect them from high medical expenses has risen dramatically, a Commonwealth Fund study finds. As of 2007, there were an estimated 25 million underinsured adults in the United States, up 60 percent from 2003. To view more from this survey, click here.

Democratic Party's Favorables Rise, Congress Still Unpopular June 03, 2008
According to a new survey, the overall image of the Democratic Party has improved over the past year, although the Democratic-led Congress remains widely unpopular. A majority of Americans (57%) say they have a favorable view of the Democratic Party, up six points since July 2007 and 10 points since July 2006. Public attitudes toward Congress remain very negative. Currently, just 41% of the public expresses a favorable opinion of Congress, with 51% unfavorable; that is identical to opinions of Congress in July 2007. To view more from this survey, click here.

Rite of Passage? Why Young Adults Become Uninsured and How New Policies Can Help, 2008 Update May 30, 2008
According to a new survey, young adults, ages 19 to 29, are one of the largest segments of the U.S. population without health insurance: 13.7 million lacked coverage in 2006. They often lose coverage at age 19 or upon high school or college graduation almost two of five (38%) high school graduates who do not enroll in college and one-third of college graduates are uninsured for a time during the first year after graduation. To view more from this survey, click here.

Obama and McCain in a General Election Matchup May 29, 2008
According to a new survey, Barack Obama is the clear favorite of Democratic voters for their party's presidential nomination as the end of the primary season approaches. Obama currently holds a wide 54% to 41% lead over Hillary Clinton. But when the Illinois Democrat is tested against John McCain in a general election matchup, he now runs about even against the presumptive Republican nominee. Previously, Obama had led McCain by modest margins in three surveys conducted since late February. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Obama and the Race Factor

May 23, 2008
As he closes in on the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama faces a unique obstacle to victory over John McCain in November - his race. The results from a recent Newsweek poll suggest that Obama's problems winning white support in some places - as seen in Hillary Clinton's big wins in Kentucky and West Virginia - will make it more difficult for him to put together a winning coalition for the general election. In a political environment very favorable to the Democrats, Obama manages only a tie in a trial heat against McCain (46%-46%). By comparison, in party identification that Democrats have a 15-point advantage among registered voters nationally - 53% consider themselves Democrats or lean to the party, while 38% self-identify as Republicans or lean Republican. Meanwhile, Clinton remains competitive in the battle for voter support among Democrats and Democratic leaners nationally, even as her chances of victory dwindle. To view more from this survey, click here.

Opinion of Oprah More Politicized, Gore's Ratings Improve Favorability of Leading Figures May 14, 2008
A new survey shows that Oprah Winfrey's image has not recovered from last year, following a slip in her popularity after endorsing of Barack Obama. Long one of America's best-known and best-liked media figures, opinions about the talk show host have become increasingly divided along partisan political lines. Currently, 68% of Americans say they have a favorable opinion of Winfrey, which is largely unchanged from a Gallup survey in October 2007 (66%). At that time, Gallup found that positive views of Winfrey had declined by eight points, from 74%, since January 2007. To view more from this survey, click here.

Pope Benedict's Image Improves Following U.S. Visit May 06, 2008
According to a new survey, following his first visit to the United States as spiritual leader of the world's Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI is viewed more favorably than he was a few weeks before his trip. Currently, 61% of Americans say they have a favorable impression of the pope, up from 52% in late March. To view more from this survey, click here.

2008 Financial Literacy Survey April 29, 2008
According to a new survey, one in every 10 Americans with a mortgage or roughly 10 million adults report being late or missing a mortgage payment in the last year. Adding more stress to the current housing market, almost one-quarter of Americans say they do not know enough about owning a home to consider buying one. While a majority of the public report that they pay their bills on time and do not have any debts in collections, a notable minority has fallen behind and is struggling with seven percent or roughly 15 million adults either getting calls from collectors or seriously considering filing for bankruptcy. Higher income households and older Americans are more likely to stay on top of their bills. And whites and Latinos are more likely to pay their bills on time and stay clear of collections than blacks. Alarmingly, only 59 percent or roughly 23 million of the young adults in Generation Y, those ages 18-29, pay their bills on time every month. That translates into millions of tomorrows leaders, those who will drive the engine of our economy for years to come, who are not practicing a most basic financial principle. And the previous generation of consumers, those ages 30-49, also do not appear to be modeling good financial behavior. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Race, Class & Obama

April 26, 2008
A new Newsweek poll shows Barack Obama losing ground on a number of key survey measures. The double-digit lead for Obama in preference for the nomination among registered Democrats and Democratic leaners has been reduced to seven points (48%-41%). Obama's favorability rating has dropped further since last week's poll. Four in 10 (40%) registered voters now say they have an unfavorable opinion of him. Only a week ago, the Illinois Senator was widely viewed as the Democratic candidate most likely to defeat John McCain. With another win in Pennsylvania, Clinton has cut into Obama's advantage as the stronger candidate for the fall. Currently, 46% believe Obama is more electable while 38% give Clinton the edge. One week ago, Obama led on this measure by 55% to 33%. To view more click from this survey, click here.

Writing, Technology and Teens April 24, 2008
According to a new survey, teenagers lives are filled with writing. All teens write for school, and 93% of teens say they write for their own pleasure. Most notably, the vast majority of teens have eagerly embraced written communication with their peers as they share messages on their social network pages, in emails and instant messages online, and through fast-paced thumb choreography on their cell phones. Parents believe that their children write more as teens than they did at that age. To view more from this survey, Click here.

Newsweek Poll: Who's More Electable?

April 18, 2008
A Newsweek poll reveals Barack Obama has the momentum going into next Tuesday's Pennsylvania Democratic primary. Obama now leads Hillary Clinton by double digits in the battle for support among registered Democrats and leaners nationwide, 54% to 35%. The previous Newsweek poll in March showed the two Democrats locked in a statistical tie (45% Obama-44% Clinton). The new poll shows Obama ahead among women as well as men, and voters age 60 and older as well as younger voters. A majority of registered voters see Clinton as dishonest and untrustworthy, suggesting that Clinton's being caught telling a tall tale about landing in Bosnia under sniper fire has had a more negative impact with voters than the recent Obama controversies. Still, poll results indicate both Clinton and Obama have been harmed by the attacks they have directed at each other, as both candidates have seen a drop in favorabilty since March. To view more from this survey, click here.

Inside the Middle Class: Bad Times Hit the Good Life April 09, 2008
According to a new survey, Americans feel stuck in their tracks. A majority of survey respondents say that in the past five years, they either haven't moved forward in life (25%) or have fallen backwards (31%). This is the most downbeat short-term assessment of personal progress in nearly half a century of polling by the Pew Research Center and the Gallup organization. When asked to measure their progress over a longer time frame, Americans are more upbeat. Nearly two-thirds say they have a higher standard of living than their parents had when their parents were their age. To view more from this survey, Click here.

Obama Weathers the Wright Storm, Clinton Faces Credibility Problem March 27, 2008
According to a new survey, the videos of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's controversial sermons and Barack Obama's subsequent speech on race and politics have attracted more public attention than any events thus far in the 2008 presidential campaign. A majority of the public (51%) said they heard "a lot" about the videos, and an even larger percentage (54%) said they heard a lot about Obama's speech, according to the weekly News Interest Index. Most voters aware of the sermons say they were personally offended by Wright's comments, and a sizable minority (35%) says that their opinion of Obama has grown less favorable because of Wright's statements. To view more from this survey, click here.

Financial Woes Now Overshadow All Other Concerns for Journalists March 17, 2008
According to a new survey, the financial crisis facing news organizations is so grave that it is now overshadowing concerns about the quality of news coverage, the flagging credibility of the news media, and other problems that have been very much on the minds of journalists over the past decade. An ever larger majority of journalists at national media outlets -- 62% -- says that journalism is going in the wrong direction, an increase from the 51% who expressed this view in 2004. Half of internet journalists and about the same proportion of local journalists (49%) also take a negative view of the state of their profession. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: The Democratic Presidential Race

March 10, 2008
After Hillary Clinton's comeback primary victories in Ohio and Texas, the Democratic presidential race is a dead heat nationally. According to the latest Newsweek poll, Barack Obama has a statistically insignificant one-point lead (45%-44%) over Senator Clinton in support for the nomination among registered Democrats and Democratic leaners nationwide. Most national polling done prior to the March 4th primaries had shown Obama with a significant lead after a winning streak of 11 straight victories in primaries and caucuses. The basic structure of this race is much the same as it was a month ago. Obama is the change candidate and Clinton is the candidate who is seen as more experienced and tested. To view from this survey click here.

Economy Top Issue for Presidential Candidates to Discuss March 07, 2008
A new survey reveals that economic worries have overcome health and Iraq as a campaign issue. Health care ranks third as the issue that people want presidential candidates to discuss during the campaign -- named by 28% of voters, behind the economy (45%) and Iraq (32%). Party differences exist, with health care ranking second for Democrats, third for independents, and fourth for Republicans. Overall, the share of registered voters picking the economy as the issue they want to hear the candidates talk about doubled since December. To view more from this survey, click here.

New York City Global Warming Survey March 04, 2008
According to a new survey, a large majority of New York City residents say that they are personally convinced that global warming is happening (78%). Of those personally convinced, 82 percent believe that global warming is caused mainly by human activities (70%), or caused equally by humans and natural changes (12%), while only 15 percent believe it is caused mostly by natural changes in the environment. A majority of New Yorkers (60%) say they personally worry either a great deal (26%) or a fair amount (34%) about global warming, whereas 39 percent say they worry only a little (24%) or not at all (15%). Yet most New York City residents believe that global warming is a greater threat to species, people, and places relatively far away, than to themselves or other people in the city. To view more from this survey, click here.

Obama Leading February 28, 2008
According to a new survey, Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton in the national Democratic primary contest as the March 4 primaries approach. He holds a 50%-43% lead over John McCain in a general election matchup. Yet, a solid majority of voters (56%) says Obama has not provided enough information about his plans and policies; in contrast, most voters say Clinton and McCain have disclosed enough information about their plans. In addition, 43% of voters say that Obama would not be "tough enough" in dealing with foreign policy and national security issues. To view more from this survey, click here.

Religious Affiliation in America Very Diverse February 25, 2008
A new survey describes the religious affiliation of the American public and explores the shifts taking place in the U.S. religious landscape. The survey finds that religious affiliation in the U.S. is both very diverse and extremely fluid. More than one-quarter of American adults (28%) have left the faith in which they were raised in favor of another religion -- or no religion at all. If change in affiliation from one type of Protestantism to another is included, roughly 44% of adults have either switched religious affiliation, moved from being unaffiliated with any religion to being affiliated with a particular faith, or dropped any connection to a specific religious tradition altogether. To view more from this survey, click here.

Online Shopping February 13, 2008
According to a new survey, most online Americans view online shopping as a way to save time and a convenient way to buy products. At the same time, most internet users express discomfort over a key step in online shopping -- sending personal or credit card information over the internet. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Post-Super Tuesday

February 11, 2008
After Super Tuesday, the NEWSWEEK poll shows Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton statistically tied for support among registered Democrats and Democratic leaners nationwide. Obama is the first choice of 42% of Democratic voters, while 41% prefer Hillary Clinton. A large number (17%) are undecided at this point. The co-frontrunners have different appeals: Obama is the choice of those looking for change and a more inspirational, unifying candidate; Clinton is the favorite of voters who see her as more experienced, a more effective leader, and someone who cares about their problems. On the Republican side, with Romney's withdrawal, John McCain is in a strong position to capture the nomination. There is less enthusiasm among GOP voters for McCain than there is among Democrats for Obama and Clinton. Nonetheless, three-quarters (76%) of all Republican voters and two-thirds (69%) of self-described conservatives say they are okay with McCain as the GOP nominee.

McCain's Support Soars, Democratic Race Tightens February 03, 2008
According to a new survey, Barack Obama and John McCain have made significant gains in support as the field of candidates has narrowed in both parties. John McCain now leads 42%-22% over Mitt Romney among Republican voters nationally. Support for McCain is up 13 points since mid-January, and he currently draws about twice as much support as either Romney or Mike Huckabee. To view more from this survey, click here.

The Impact Of "Cell-Onlys" On Public Opinion Polling January 31, 2008
According to two new surveys, the proportion of Americans who rely solely on a cell phone for their telephone service continues to grow, as does the share who still have a landline phone but do most of their calling on their cell phone. With these changes, there is an increased concern that polls conducted only on landline telephones may not accurately measure public opinion. A new Pew Research Center study finds that, while different demographically, Americans who mostly or exclusively rely on cell phones are not substantially different from the landline population in their basic political attitudes and preferences. To view more from this survey, click here.

COMMONWEALTH EDUCATION POLL 2007/2008

January 29, 2008
Approaching the one year anniversary of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech, according to a new survey, Virginians are divided over whether any government or societal action can prevent similar shootings; 48% take the more optimistic view while 47% say that shootings like the one at Virginia Tech will happen again regardless of what action is taken by government and society. About seven in ten (69%) Virginians believe parents need to tell schools about any social and emotional problems their children are having in order to prevent school violence, while 18% say parents should be able to keep this information private. Further, 74% say parents should be required to provide schools with a childs history of social and emotional problems at enrollment. Two thirds of Virginians say this should be required for students entering college.

An Even More Partisan Agenda for 2008 January 24, 2008
According to a new survey, with the economy slowing and the stock market reeling, there is greater agreement among Republicans and Democrats that strengthening the nation's economy should be a top priority for the president and Congress in the coming year. By contrast, partisan differences over the importance of other domestic issues such as dealing with global warming, helping the poor and providing health insurance to the uninsured have all increased substantially over the past year. As President Bush prepares for his final State of the Union address on Jan. 28, opinions about his administration's legacy, already fairly negative, have declined further. Fully 59% say the Bush administration's failures will outweigh its accomplishments, while just 28% believe the Bush administration will be remembered more for its accomplishments. A year ago, a smaller majority (53%) believed the administration's failures would be more enduring than its successes. To view more from this survey, click here.

In GOP Primaries: Three Victors, Three Constituencies January 16, 2008
According to a new survey, the Republican nomination contest is being increasingly shaped by ideology and religion as it moves toward the Super Tuesday states on Feb. 5. John McCain has moved out to a solid lead nationally, increasing his support among Republican and GOP-leaning voters from 22% in late December to 29% currently. Mike Huckabee, at 20%, and Mitt Romney, with 17%, trail McCain. Rudy Giuliani is a distant fourth, polling just 13%. Giuliani's support has declined seven points since late December. To view more from this survey, click here.

Internet's Broader Role in Campaign 2008 January 11, 2008
According to a new survey, the internet is living up to its potential as a major source for news about the presidential campaign. Nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) say they regularly learn something about the campaign from the internet, almost double the percentage from a comparable point in the 2004 campaign (13%). Moreover, the internet has now become a leading source of campaign news for young people, and the role of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook is a notable part of the story. Fully 42% of those ages 18 to 29 say they regularly learn about the campaign from the internet, the highest percentage for any news source. In January 2004, just 20% of young people said they routinely got campaign news from the internet. To view more from this survey, click here.

Increased use of video-sharing sites January 09, 2008
According to a new survey, 48% of internet users said they had ever visited a video-sharing site such as YouTube. A year ago, in December 2006, 33% of internet users said they had ever visited such sites. That represents growth of more than 45% year-to-year. 15% of respondents said they had used a video-sharing site "yesterday" -- the day before they were contacted for our survey. A year ago, 8% had visited such a site "yesterday." Thus, on an average day, the number of users of video sites nearly doubled from the end of 2006 to the end of 2007. To view more from this survey, click here.

McCain and Huckabee Catch Up to Giuliani Nationwide January 02, 2008
On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, Rudy Giuliani's once solid lead in nationwide polling of Republican voters has vanished. The latest nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press finds about equal levels of support for John McCain (22%), Rudy Giuliani (20%), and Mike Huckabee (17%). To view more from this survey, click here.

Information Searches That Solve Problems December 30, 2007
According to a new survey, for help with a variety of common problems, more people turn to the internet than consult experts or family members to provide information and resources. Another key insight is that members of Gen Y are the leading users of libraries for help solving problems and in more general patronage. To view more from this survey, click here.

Kaiser Poll Finds Iraq and Health Care Remain Top Issues for Presidential Candidates to Discuss, Though the Economy and Immigration Are Up December 20, 2007
With the first presidential primaries quickly approaching, the December Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 finds that Iraq continues to top the list of issues the public wants to hear presidential candidates talk about, with more than a third (35 percent) naming the war as one of the top two issues in an open-ended question. Health care (30 percent) ranks second, followed by the economy (21 percent) and immigration (17 percent). To view more from this survey, click here.

Teens and Social Media December 19, 2007
According to a new survey, content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004. Girls continue to dominate most elements of content creation. Some 35% of all teen girls blog, compared with 20% of online boys, and 54% of wired girls post photos online compared with 40% of online boys. Boys, however, do dominate one area - posting of video content online. Online teen boys are nearly twice as likely as online girls (19% vs. 10%) to have posted a video online somewhere where someone else could see it.To view more from this survey, click here.

Digital Footprints: Online identity management and search in the age of transparency December 16, 2007
According to a new survey, internet users are becoming more aware of their digital footprint; 47% have searched for information about themselves online, up from just 22% five years ago. However, few monitor their online presence with great regularity. Just 3% of self-searchers report that they make a regular habit of it and 74% have checked up on their digital footprints only once or twice. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Huckabee Surges, Obama Gains in Iowa

December 07, 2007
A Newsweek poll in Iowa shows Mike Huckabee is now the Republican frontrunner in Iowa. Mitt Romney is in second place, while support for Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson has dropped to single digits. Huckabee's ordained minister status seems to be doing more to help than hurt his prospects in Iowa. The same cannot be said of Mitt Romney's Mormon religion. Close to half of Iowa Republican voters think at least some of their fellow Republicans will not be willing to back Romney because he is a Mormon. To view more from this survey, click here.

Republicans in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina December 04, 2007
According to a new survey, Republican voter sentiment in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina is highly fluid. Compared with Democratic voters, likely Republican voters in these three politically disparate states express less enthusiasm about their field of presidential candidates, and many Republicans voice only modest support for their choices. Mike Huckabee runs even with Mitt Romney in Iowa, but the former Massachusetts governor holds a wide lead over all of his rivals in neighboring New Hampshire. There is no frontrunner in South Carolina, where Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson have about as much support as Romney, closely followed by John McCain and Huckabee. To view more from this survey, click here.

Democrats in Iowa, New Hampshire & South Carolina December 03, 2007
According to a new survey, Democrats enter the presidential primary campaign upbeat about their candidates and united in their views on major issues. Sen. Hillary Clinton is the clear frontrunner in New Hampshire and South Carolina, where she holds 19-point and 14-point leads, respectively. However in Iowa she is in a statistical tie with Barack Obama. Clinton has a clear advantage on the key issue of health care, and leads among Democratic women voters in all three states - where women constitute majorities of the likely caucus and primary electorates. Her lead is also particularly wide among older voters - voters over age 50 in all three states favor her over Obama by more than two-to-one. To view more from this survey, click here.

Journalists in Iraq November 28, 2007
A new survey of journalists covering the war from Iraq reveals that after four years of war, the journalists reporting from Iraq give their coverage a mixed but generally positive assessment, but they believe they have done a better job of covering the American military and the insurgency than they have the lives of ordinary Iraqis. And they do not believe the coverage of Iraq over time has been too negative. If anything, many believe the situation over the course of the war has been worse than the American public has perceived. To view more from this survey conducted by PSRA for The Project for Excellence in Journalism, click here.

Optimism About Black Progress Declines November 13, 2007
A new national poll finds that African Americans see a widening gulf between the values of middle class and poor blacks, and nearly four-in-ten say that because of the diversity within their community, blacks can no longer be thought of as a single race. Blacks are also less upbeat about the state of black progress now than at any time since 1983. Looking backward, just one-in-five blacks say things are better for blacks now than they were five years ago. Looking ahead, fewer than half of all blacks (44%) say they think life for blacks will get better in the future, down from the 57% who said so in a 1986 survey. To view more from this survey click here.

Clinton Favorite to Win the White House November 04, 2007
With the presidential election only a year away, the Newsweek poll shows Senator Hillary Clinton and the Democrats as the favorites to win the White House - if only by a small margin. Clinton gets 44% support from registered Democrats and leaners, followed by Barack Obama with 24% and John Edwards with 12%. Clinton appeals more to the core voters within her party. She is the first choice of 45% of self-identified Democrats, compared with 39% of Democratic leaners. Rudy Giuliani remains the frontrunner in the Republican race, but he too has failed to build any momentum since the summer. He leads the GOP field with 30% support among registered Republicans and leaners, the same support level he received in August. There is no clear second place Republican candidate. Fred Thompson gets 15%, John McCain 14%, and Mitt Romney 12%. To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Election 2008 One Year Out

November 03, 2007
With the presidential election only a year away, the Newsweek poll shows Senator Hillary Clinton and the Democrats as the favorites to win the White House. But Clinton's lead over the Democratic field for her party's nomination is not so wide at this point that she has a lock on the nomination. And a GOP frontrunner continues to give her a close race in a trial heat for the general election.

A Year Before the 2008 Election October 31, 2007
A new national survey finds that while the 2008 presidential election is still a year away, most major national opinion trends favor the Democrats. Discontent with the state of the nation is noticeably greater than it was four years ago. President Bush's approval rating has fallen from 50% to 30% over this period. The public continues to express more confidence in the Democratic Party than in the Republican Party as being able to bring about needed change, to govern in an honest and ethical way and to manage the federal government. To view more from this survey, click here.

Real Estate Slump Felt in Wealthy Areas October 11, 2007
Americans are substantially less inclined than they were even a few months ago to say they expect home prices to increase over the next few years. A Pew Center Research poll shows that, overall, 53% of Americans think local housing prices will climb in the next few years, down from 62% in June, while the number expecting prices to fall has increased from 28% to 36%. People living in areas with the most expensive homes and middle-income Americans are particularly likely to say that future home prices will decline.

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Minnesota Poll: U.S. Senate race wild and wide open October 01, 2007
According to a new poll of Minnesota adults, all three leading contenders in Minnesota's 2008 U.S. Senate race face obstacles in winning the favor of the public, suggesting a wide open, unpredictable contest in a campaign expected to attract intense national attention. To view more from this survey conducted by PSRAI for the Minneapolis Star Tribune click here.

Newsweek Poll: Iowa Caucuses

September 29, 2007
A Newsweek poll in Iowa, measuring voter preferences prior to the January presidential caucuses, shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as the top choice of one-quarter (24%) of likely GOP caucus goers, followed by Fred Thompson (16%), Rudy Giuliani (13%), and Mike Huckabee (12%). Romney also leads when GOP voters' second choice for the nomination is considered. He is the first or second choice of 45% of likely Republican caucus-goers, followed by Giuliani (34%) and Thompson (26%). The Democratic race is highly competitive, with Hillary Clinton not separating herself from the pack in Iowa. Among all Iowa Democratic voters she leads with 31% support over Barack Obama (25%) and John Edwards (21%). Among likely Democratic caucus-goers, however, Obama has a marginal lead with 28%, followed by Clinton at 24% and Edwards at 22%. Clinton has one clear advantage over her Democratic rivals - a majority (55%) of her support is strong, compared with less than half of Obama (41%) and Edwards (37%) support.

Clinton and Giuliani Linked with Strong Traits September 20, 2007
As many as 67% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say Clinton is the Democratic candidate who first comes to mind when they hear the word tough and more than half (52%) associate Clinton with the word smart. No other candidate - Democrat or Republican - comes close to Clinton in being linked with each of these traits. GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani is the Republican candidate that GOP voters most closely associate with a number of positive personality traits, including energetic, compassionate and optimistic, as well as tough and smart. Roughly half (48%) say Giuliani is the candidate who first comes to mind when the word energetic is mentioned. To view more from this survey, click here.

Positive Reactions to Petraeus' Recommendations, But No Increase in War Support September 18, 2007
Most Americans (57%) who heard at least something about General David Petraeus' report say they approve of his recommendations for troop withdrawals, which President Bush has endorsed. However, just 16% say Petraeus' statements have made them more optimistic about the war, while 67% say their views were unchanged by the general's report. The mostly stable opinions about the war and U.S. policies toward Iraq are consistent with this assessment. In the current survey, a 47% plurality says the United States will probably or definitely fail to achieve its goals in Iraq, which is largely unchanged from July (49%). To view more from this survey, click here.

The Political Fallout: Bush, Iraq, and the GOP September 15, 2007
In May 2007, Newsweek magazine reported that President George W. Bush's job approval rating had slipped to 28 percent, putting him below the 30 percent mark for the first time in the Newsweek poll. Within a matter of weeks, the results of other national media polls confirmed this finding. All presidents have ups and downs in popularity, but an approval rating below 30 percent is relatively uncommon. It has been fifteen years since a U.S. president was last held in such low esteem. To view more from this article, click here.

Fewer than a third of Americans know Supreme Court rulings are final September 13, 2007
Most Americans know little about the workings of the U.S. Supreme Court, including the fact that Supreme Court rulings are final, according to a national survey conducted for the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center.

The findings are being released today in advance of Constitution Day, Monday, September 17.

For other findings, click here.
To read the press release, click here.

Iraq and Health Care Remain Top Concerns August 30, 2007
A new poll in a tracking series finds that Iraq continues to be the biggest concern for the public, with 42% saying it is one of the most important problems for the government to address. Health care remains the second most mentioned issue, with 27% citing it as one of the most important problems for the government to address. The economy ranks third (16%) and immigration fourth (13%). To view the findings for this poll, conducted by PSRAI for The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, please click here.

The Impact of the Movie "Sicko" August 27, 2007
A new poll gauges public opinion of Michael Moore's documentary "Sicko." The survey finds that just 4% of adults say they have watched it, but nearly half (46%) had seen the movie or heard or read something about it a little over a month after its national release. Among those familiar with "Sicko," 45% said they have had a discussion with friends, co-workers, and family about the U.S. health system as a result of the movie; 43% said they were more likely to think there is a need to reform the health system. About equal numbers believe the movie accurately represents problems in the U.S. health system versus overstating them. To view more findings for this poll, conducted by PSRAI for The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, please click here.

Newsweek Poll: Clinton v. Giuliani?

August 03, 2007
Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani continue to be the frontrunners in their respective presidential races, according to the latest Newsweek poll. Clinton leads Barack Obama by a 44%-23% margin among registered Democrats and Democratic leaners, no significant change from the 43%-27% advantage she had in a June Newsweek poll. John Edwards is in third place in the Democratic race with 14% and no other candidate gets as much as 5% support. In the GOP race, Giuliani leads the field with 30% support among registered Republican and Republican leaners. Former Illinois Senator Fred Thompson, yet to formally enter the GOP race, is second with 22%, followed by the fading John McCain (13%) and Mitt Romney (10%).

A Rising Tide Lifts Mood in the Developing World July 24, 2007
The Pew Global Attitudes Project's 47-nation survey finds that measures of personal and economic satisfaction remain modest in the developing world when compared with measures for advanced nations, but this gap has narrowed. This increasing contentment was found to be correlated with sizable increases in per capita gross domestic product that, in most cases, far outpaced the rate of growth prior to 2002.

To view more of this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Muslims in America July 20, 2007
Over a third (36%) of adult Americans claim to personally know a Muslim living in the United States, according to a Newsweek poll. Most people seem to recognize that Muslim Americans are mostly immigrants rather than U.S.-born persons who converted to Islam. The survey results paint a mixed picture of public acceptance of Muslims in mainstream America. On one hand, close to two-thirds (64%) of Americans say they would have no objection to a son or a daughter dating a Muslim. A substantial majority (69%) also think Muslim students should be allowed to wear their traditional headscarves to class. On the other hand, close to half (46%) of Americans say they believe this country allows too many immigrants to come here from Muslim countries and people are split down the middle on whether or not they would vote for a qualified Muslim for political office.

What Makes a Successful Marriage? July 18, 2007
According to a Pew Research Center survey of American adults, "sharing household chores" now ranks third in importance on a list of nine items often associated with successful marriages - well ahead of such staples as adequate income, good housing, common interests and shared religious beliefs. Sixty-two percent of adults say sharing household chores is very important to marital success, with virtually no difference of opinion between men and women, older adults and younger adults, or married people and singles.

To view more from this survey, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Iraq "Surge" Strategy Considered a Failure July 13, 2007
A new Newsweek poll shows only 27% of adult Americans approving of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, two points below the 29% Bush receives for his job performance overall. Public unhappiness with the Iraq war and the way it has been conducted has played a major role in Bush's declining approval ratings since his re-election in 2004. The Newsweek poll trendline shows that public approval of the President's handling of the Iraq situation has remained below 30% since January 2007 when his "surge" plan for increasing troop levels in Iraq was announced. The current poll finds widespread public displeasure with Bush's current Iraq strategy. Almost two-thirds (64%) of Americans say Bush's surge plan has been a failure, and less than a quarter (22%) say it has been successful.

Fewer Mothers Prefer Full-time Work: 1997 to 2007 July 12, 2007
In the span of the past decade, full-time work outside the home has lost some of its appeal to mothers, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Among working mothers with minor children (ages 17 and under), just one-in-five (21%) say full-time work is the ideal situation for them, down from the 32% who said this back in 1997. Fully six-in-ten (up from 48% in 1997) of today's working mothers say part-time work would be their ideal, and another one-in-five (19%) say she would prefer not working at all outside the home. There's been a similar shift in preferences among at-home mothers with minor children.

For more findings, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Obama and Race in America July 06, 2007
According to a Newsweek poll, large majorities of Americans say that they would vote for a woman or for an African-American candidate for president, continuing a decade-long trend. But far fewer think America is ready to elect an African-American or a woman for president. Although 92% of adults say they would vote for an African-American candidate, just 59 percent think the country is ready for an African-American president. And while 86% say they would vote for a woman for president, only 58 percent believe the country is ready for one. Two-thirds (66%) of registered voters say there is at least some chance they would vote for Barack Obama, with about as many (62%) saying the same about Hillary Clinton. However, in a head-to-head match up, Clinton leads Obama 56 to 33 percent.

Home Broadband Adoption 2007 July 03, 2007
After exhibiting relatively strong growth between early 2005 and early 2006, home broadband adoption in 2006-2007 grew at its slowest rate in recent years. As of March 2007, 47% of adult Americans say they have a high-speed connection at home, up from 42% in early 2006. This 12% year-to-year growth rate is much lower than the 40% rate in the previous period.

To find out more, click here.

Cyberbullying and Online Teens June 27, 2007
About one third (32%) of all teenagers who use the internet say they have been targets of a range of annoying and potentially menacing online activities - such as receiving threatening messages; having their private emails or text messages forwarded without consent; having an embarrassing picture posted without permission; or having rumors about them spread online. Several patterns are clear: girls are more likely than boys to be targets; and teens who share their identities and thoughts online are more likely to be targets than are those who lead less active online lives.

To read more, click here.

Insurance and a Medical Home Improves Health Care for Minorities June 27, 2007
A study conducted by The Commonwealth Fund found that providing minority patients a "medical home" in which they have a regular doctor or health professional who oversees and coordinates their care would help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities and promote more health care equity. The 2006 survey of more than 2,830 adults found that linking minority patients with a health care setting that offers timely, well-organized care where they can routinely seek physicians and medical advice can help them better manage chronic conditions and obtain critical preventive care services.

To view more, click here.

Global Unease With Major World Powers June 27, 2007
A 47-nation survey finds global public opinion increasingly wary of the world's dominant nations and disapproving of their leaders. Anti-Americanism is extensive, as it has been for the past five years. At the same time, the image of China has slipped significantly among the publics of other major nations. Opinion about Russia is mixed, but confidence in its president, Vladimir Putin, has declined sharply. In fact, the Russian leader's negatives have soared to the point that they mirror the nearly worldwide lack of confidence in George W. Bush.

To view more click here.

Newsweek Poll: What You Need to Know June 24, 2007
The latest Newsweek poll quizzed the public on a variety of topics, ranging from politics and government to foreign affairs, business and technology and pop culture. The results show many gaps in people's knowledge, such as continuing misperceptions about Iraq's role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and a very sketchy knowledge about other countries.

Newsweek Poll: Bloomberg for President? June 22, 2007
How would New York City Michael Bloomberg impact the presidential race if he runs as an independent candidate for president? The latest Newsweek poll finds that many voters are critical of the two major parties and are open to alternatives, but Michael Bloomberg is not well positioned to take advantage of this situation - at least until he becomes better known. At the national level, two-thirds (68%) of registered voters say they know little or nothing about Bloomberg. When asked if they think the popular New York City mayor would make a good president, voters who have an opinion are about evenly divided - 29% see him as fit for the office but 30% take the opposite view.

Newsweek Poll: New Low for President Bush June 21, 2007
George W. Bush's overall approval rating has slipped further in the latest Newsweek poll. Currently only 26% of adults approve of his job performance, down a statistically insignificant two points from 28% in early May. The President's new low in approval puts him below Jimmy Carter's lowest rating on record in the Gallup poll (28% in 1979). The new poll also shows the President with his lowest rating on record for his handling of the situation in Iraq (23%). However, public dissatisfaction with Washington is not limited to the Bush Administration. Congress also takes its share of heat. Overall only 25% of Americans say they approve of the job Congress is doing, while 63% disapprove.

Iraq, Health Care, and Immigration Top Concerns June 20, 2007
The second poll in a tracking series finds that Iraq continues to be the biggest concern for the public, with 43% saying it is one of the most important problems for the government to address. Health care follows with 28% citing it as one of the most important problems for the government to address. Gas prices (12%) and immigration (12%) emerge as greater concerns than in the first poll.

To view the findings for this poll, conducted by PSRAI for The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, please click here.

Parents, Children & Media: A Kaiser Family Foundation Survey June 19, 2007
Parents say they are gaining control of their children's exposure to sex and violence in the media, according to a national survey of parents by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Sixty-five percent of parents say they 'closely' monitor their children's media use, while just 18% say they 'should do more.' This may help to explain why since 1998 the proportion of parents who say they are 'very' concerned that their own children are exposed to inappropriate content - while still high - has dropped, from 67% to 51% for sexual content, from 62% to 46% for violence, and from 59% to 41% for adult language.

For more findings, click here.

Mixed Views on Immigration Bill June 07, 2007
The public is ambivalent about the immigration bill being debated by the Senate, according to a national poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Just a third of those who have heard something about the bill favor it, while 41% are opposed, and a relatively large minority (26%) offers no opinion. Yet one of the bill's primary goals - to provide a way for people who are in this country illegally to gain legal citizenship under certain conditions - wins broad and bipartisan support. Overall, 63% of the public - and nearly identical numbers of Republicans, Democrats and independents - favor such an approach if illegal immigrants pass background checks, pay fines and have jobs.

To read on, click here.

Thompson Demonstrates Broad Potential Appeal June 04, 2007
Former Sen. Fred Thompson has broad potential appeal among Republican voters even before his expected entrance into the presidential race. Thompson is not nearly as well known as other leading GOP candidates, but 37% of the Republican and Republican-leaning voters who have heard of Thompson say there is a "good chance" they will support him, according to a national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.

For more findings, click here.

Spam 2007 May 23, 2007
Spam continues to plague the internet, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life project. More Americans than ever say they are getting more spam than in the past. But while American internet users report increasing volumes of spam, they also indicate that they are less bothered by it than before.

For more details, click here.

A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users May 06, 2007
Fully 85% of American adults use the internet or cell phones - and most use both. Yet half of adults have a distant or non-existent relationship to modern information technology, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project's typology of information and communication technology users. Some of this diffidence is driven by concerns about information overload; some is related to a sense that gadgets have more capacity than users can master; some is connected to a lack of personal interest in activities like blogging; and some is rooted in an inability to afford or unwillingness to buy the gear associated with the digital age.

To read on, click here.

Newsweek Poll: Political Courage May 05, 2007
After his veto of an Iraq war funding bill with a timetable for withdrawal, George W. Bush's approval rating has slipped to 28% in the latest Newsweek poll, the lowest rating on record in the Newsweek poll. When Americans think about presidential courage - doing the right thing despite the political risks - they most often see it exemplified by Ronald Reagan (18%), Bill Clinton (18%), and John F. Kennedy (14%). Just 4% name George W. Bush as the U.S. president who has displayed the greatest political courage, and over half (55%) don't see Bush as politically courageous.

Both Sides Reject Compromise in Iraq Funding Fight April 26, 2007
With battle lines drawn over legislation funding the Iraq war, the public is showing little appetite for compromise, according to a national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Overall, a solid majority of Americans (59%) continue to say they want their representative to support a bill calling for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq by August 2008, while just a third want their representative to vote against such legislation. Most supporters (54%) of a timeline for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq say they want Democratic leaders to insist on that position rather than work toward an agreement with President Bush. An identical percentage of opponents of a timetable (54%) want Bush to hold to his threat to veto legislation that includes a withdrawal timeline, rather than seeking compromise with the Democrats.

For more findings, click here.

Online Activities and Pursuits: Wikipedia Users April 24, 2007
More than a third of American adult internet users (36%) consult the citizen-generated online encyclopedia Wikipedia, according to a nationwide survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. And on a typical day in the winter of 2007, 8% of online Americans consulted Wikipedia. Despite ongoing controversy about the reliability of articles on Wikipedia, the site is far more popular among the well-educated than it is among those with lower levels of education. For instance, 50% of those with at least a college degree consult the site, compared with 22% of those with a high school diploma .

To learn more, click here.

Little Boost for Gun Control or Agreement on Causes of the Va. Tech Shootings April 23, 2007
Last week's shootings at Virginia Tech have had little immediate impact on public opinion about gun control, according to a nationally representative telephone survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Six-in-ten Americans say it is more important to control gun ownership, while 32% say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns. These numbers have changed little since 2004. At the same time, a 55% majority now opposes a ban on the sale of handguns, while just 37% favor such a ban. There was greater support for gun control in 2000, when the public was evenly split over a handgun ban (47% favor/47% opposed).

For more findings, click here.

Only A Minority of Americans Keep Close Track of Their Spending April 19, 2007
Financial experts generally agree that having a household budget is sound financial management. But only a minority of Americans keep close track of what they spend on typically monthly expenses. And although a majority of the public has at least a somewhat good idea of where their money goes each month, more than two in 10 keep little or no track at all. To view more from this survey, click here.

Teens, Privacy and Online Social Networks April 18, 2007
According to a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the majority of teens actively manage their online profiles to keep the information they believe is most sensitive, such as their full name and phone number, away from the unwanted gaze of strangers, parents and other adults. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of teens with profiles (63%) believe that a motivated person could eventually identify them from the information they publicly provide on their profiles.

To learn more, click here.

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