Republicans are winning the culture wars

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… Progressive Democrats have staked out ideological territory on cultural flashpoints ranging from race and gender to affirmative action, crime and policing, education, and COVID restrictions that are out of the political mainstream. Some of these fights, like the battle over inclusive language (like the much-discussed debate over Latinx) end up being more symbolic than substantive. Other flashpoints, like the fight against testing and gifted and talented programs in the name of racial equity, are quality-of-life issues where the stakes are higher.

But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re issues where Democrats are on the losing side of a debate that’s becoming increasingly salient to voters. CONTINUED

Josh Kraushaar, National Journal

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NBC News poll: Ketanji Brown Jackson less polarizing, but less well known

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Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is less polarizing than other recent Supreme Court nominees, but she’s also less well known, according to a new national NBC News poll.

Brown Jackson, who is poised to become the first Black woman to serve on the court, enjoys a positive favorability rating, with 20 percent of Americans surveyed saying they have a positive view of her, compared with 8 percent who view her negatively. CONTINUED

Bridget Bowman, NBC News

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Biden’s job approval falls to lowest level of his presidency amid war and inflation fears

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Amid Europe’s largest land war since World War II, 7 in 10 Americans expressed low confidence in President Joe Biden’s ability to deal with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a new NBC News poll, and 8 in 10 voiced worry that the war will increase gas prices and possibly involve nuclear weapons. And during the nation’s largest inflation spike in 40 years, overwhelming majorities said they believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and disapproved of the president’s handling of the economy.

Those are some of the major findings of the new national NBC News poll, which found that Biden’s overall job approval rating had declined to 40 percent, the lowest level of his presidency. The survey also found that Republicans enjoyed a 2-point lead in answer to which party should control Congress ahead of November’s midterm elections. CONTINUED

Mark Murray, NBC News

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Poll: Younger Audiences Would Like the Popular Oscar

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One year after its lowest-rated telecast ever, the Academy is looking for ways to bring viewers back — and entice younger audiences to watch. A THR/Morning Consult poll of adults 18-34 is shedding light on what that age group really wants.

The Academy’s choice to pretape eight categories sparked controversy but may prove popular among younger viewers, with 66 percent reporting that the top awards — best actor, actress, director and picture — are a major reason to tune in. CONTINUED

Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter

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Ketanji Brown Jackson is the most popular Supreme Court nominee in years

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… Five recent surveys have indicated strong support for President Joe Biden’s decision to nominate Jackson for the Supreme Court seat retiring Justice Stephen Breyer is vacating. According to an average of polls by Gallup, Fox, Monmouth University, Quinnipiac University and the Pew Research Center, about 53% of Americans supported her confirmation, with about 26% of Americans opposed. This is good for a +27-point net popularity rating.

If Jackson’s ratings hold up through her likely confirmation, she would be the most popular nominee to be confirmed since John Roberts in 2005. Jackson’s popularity should only help her in the confirmation process. CONTINUED

Harry Enten, CNN

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Most who know about cryptocurrency see it as a risky investment

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Cryptocurrency has captured the awareness of most Americans these days, even if most aren’t ready to invest in it themselves. Most Americans have at least heard about cryptocurrency, but most also see cryptocurrency as a risky investment, including a majority of those who have used it.

While two in three Americans have heard something about cryptocurrency, just one in five say they know a lot about it. Even fewer — just 18% — say they have used or invested in cryptocurrency themselves. CONTINUED

Fred Backus, CBS News

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