Massachusetts: As governor’s race comes into focus, it’s Maura Healey’s moment

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As economic anxiety grows among Massachusetts voters, Attorney General Maura Healey would lead by a 2-to-1 margin over either potential Republican nominee for governor in a November matchup, a new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll found, her advantages fueled by appeal among independent voters, the state’s most crucial bloc.

The survey revealed residents are largely optimistic about their future and the direction of Massachusetts, albeit less so than a year ago. As COVID-19 worries fade, voters say they want the next governor to focus on the economy, inflation, and housing. CONTINUED

Matt Stout, Boston Globe

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How Tucker Carlson Stoked White Fear to Conquer Cable

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… Alchemizing media power into political influence, Mr. Carlson stands in a nativist American tradition that runs from Father Coughlin to Patrick J. Buchanan. Now Mr. Carlson’s on-air technique — gleefully courting blowback, then fashioning himself as his aggrieved viewers’ partner in victimhood — has helped position him, as much as anyone, to inherit the populist movement that grew up around Mr. Trump. At a moment when white backlash is the jet fuel of a Republican Party striving to return to power in Washington, he has become the pre-eminent champion of Americans who feel most threatened by the rising power of Black and brown citizens. To channel their fear into ratings, Mr. Carlson has adopted the rhetorical tropes and exotic fixations of white nationalists, who have watched gleefully from the fringes of public life as he popularizes their ideas. CONTINUED

Nicholas Confessore, New York Times

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Biden’s dilemma

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President Biden is in a bad spot. And things will most likely stay that way. Inflation, the issue hurting him the most right now, is not going anywhere. Plus, Covid—Biden’s strength—has receded quickly into the background.

Where does that leave the president and his party as the midterms close in? Right now, the political context seems to be drawing out Biden’s weaknesses with little room to maneuver in time for the fall. As a result, many analysts question the viability of Democrats’ control of Congress. We think the numbers best tell the story. Biden’s dilemma in five data points. CONTINUED

Clifford Young & Sarah Feldman, Ipsos

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Parents report improvements in their child’s educational attainment compared to last year

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A new NPR/Ipsos poll among parents of school-aged children finds that most parents report their kids are rebounding from the educational toll of the pandemic, at least from an academic perspective. However, these improvements are not felt equally parents whose child(ren) receive special education services or have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The poll also finds that many parents report their child has experienced mental health issues during the pandemic, and more would welcome mental health counseling for their child now compared to last February.

Finally, in the wake of increased attention and recent laws regarding parental rights in schools, the poll finds more similarities between how schools discuss race and gender identity and parents’ values than differences. Furthermore, around three-quarters of parents agree their child’s school keeps them well-informed on what’s taught in the classroom, including on controversial topics. CONTINUED

Mallory Newall & James Diamond, Ipsos

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Americans do not support politicians punishing firms for their views, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

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A bipartisan majority of U.S. voters oppose politicians punishing companies over their stances on social issues, a cold reception for campaigns like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ against Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

The two-day poll completed on Thursday showed that 62% of Americans – including 68% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans – said they were less likely to back a candidate who supports going after companies for their views. CONTINUED

Jason Lange, Reuters

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Republicans have the advantage with voters in 2022 elections

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All signs are pointing to a difficult midterm election for President Biden and Democrats, and a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll has fresh evidence of that.

Of the 1,162 registered voters surveyed, 47% said they are more likely to vote for the Republican in their district, as opposed to 44% who said Democrats. (The poll has a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points, which means results could be almost 4 points higher or lower.)

It’s the first time in eight years that Marist’s survey has found Republicans with an advantage on the congressional ballot test. CONTINUED

Domenico Montanaro, NPR News

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