Majorities of Americans Approve of Citizens and Elected Officials Speaking Their Minds on Politics, but Not Public School Teachers

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Majorities of Americans are supportive of fellow citizens, members of Congress, and professional athletes speaking their minds about politics, but not public school teachers in the classroom – according to the newest edition of the Grinnell College National Poll. The findings of the poll, conducted March 14–19, 2023, by Selzer & Company, were released Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

The national poll asked if the respondents thought it appropriate or inappropriate for members of seven specific groups to speak their minds regarding political issues. All but one group received a thumbs up that it is appropriate to speak about politics within their associated setting. The one exception – public school teachers. A majority (57%) say it is inappropriate for this group to speak about politics within their classrooms. Among parents of children in public schools, 41% say it is appropriate, while 58% say it is not. CONTINUED

Grinnell College National Poll

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‘Big Government’ Republicanism

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… For decades, the underlying premise of Republicans’ approach to policy has been “small government.” Big government was the enemy, while a less powerful, less intrusive government was the goal.

Until now.

This year’s GOP nominating process will likely feature the biggest “big government” Republican imaginable.

One might even argue that DeSantis supports a bigger, more powerful, more intrusive federal government than any serious presidential candidate in either party, with the exceptions of avowed socialists Eugene V. Debbs at the turn of the 20th century and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today. CONTINUED

Mark Mellman (Mellman Group), The Hill

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In U.S., Cyberdisruption Most Critical Threat

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Americans are more likely to regard cyberterrorism as a “critical threat” to U.S. vital interests than to say this about 10 other international matters. The development of nuclear weapons by Iran or by North Korea place second and third in Americans’ mentions of critical threats in the latest poll. …

Smaller majorities see the Russia-Ukraine conflict, global warming and Russia’s military power as critical threats to U.S. vital interests. Ranking at the bottom are the illegal entry of immigrants into the U.S. and the conflict between Taiwan and China. CONTINUED

Mohamed Younis, Gallup

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Biden Favorability Leads Trump, Other Potential Candidates Tested

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The newest Grinnell College National Poll shows that President Joe Biden’s job approval numbers have risen slightly, but he remains underwater less than two years before the 2024 election. Thirty-nine percent of Americans approve of the job Mr. Biden is doing as president (up from 36% in September of 2022), while 51% disapprove, according to the poll, which was conducted March 14–19, 2023. …

The Supreme Court is expected to rule in the coming weeks on 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis – a case involving a Colorado website designer opposed to designing websites for same-sex marriage ceremonies based on religious opposition to homosexuality. Ahead of the ruling, more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) oppose allowing businesses to refuse service based on such a stance. …

Sixty-three percent are very or somewhat confident that the votes in the 2024 election will be counted as intended, while 35% say they are not too or not at all confident – as compared to 64-31% in September 2022 regarding the 2022 election. However, this poll shows a 10-point decline in confidence among Republicans. CONTINUED

Grinnell College National Poll

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Few have confidence in financial institutions

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In the wake of the recent turmoil in the banking industry, only 10% of the public has a great deal of confidence in the nation’s banks and financial institutions, and 56% say the government is not doing enough to regulate the industry.

Trust in the banking industry declined since 2020, when 22% said they had a great deal of confidence in the people running it. The lack of confidence is bipartisan. Only 10% of Democrats and 8% of Republicans have a great deal of confidence in banks. …

Fifty-six percent of adults, including 63% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans, consider government regulation of the banking industry insufficient. CONTINUED

AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

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Most say Trump is not above the law

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The latest Reuters/Ipsos survey following news of a possible indictment for Donald Trump by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, shows Americans believe Donald Trump is not above the law, and a large majority say Trump should stand trial if he broke the law. Americans also do not support violent acts as a way to achieve a political goal, and do not believe violent acts are acceptable to achieve their idea of a better society. CONTINUED

Annaleise Azevedo Lohr & Chris Jackson, Ipsos

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