Americans continue to express mixed views about nuclear power

· Leave a Comment

A broad majority of Americans (69%) favor the United States taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2050, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in January. But while some advocates suggest that nuclear power – a source that emits no carbon – should have a more prominent role in the nation’s energy makeup, the public continues to express mixed views about it as an energy source. …

Americans are far more likely to say the federal government should encourage the production of wind and solar power (72%) and the use of electric vehicles (51%) than to say the same about nuclear power. CONTINUED

Rebecca Ann Leppert, Pew Research Center

The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack

Supreme Court Nominee Jackson’s Support Tied for Highest

· Leave a Comment

Initial public support for judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court ties as the highest Gallup has measured for any recent nominee. Fifty-eight percent of Americans say the Senate should vote in favor of Jackson serving on the Supreme Court. Only current Chief Justice John Roberts, at 59% in 2005, had a level of support on par with that for Jackson. Most other nominees had support in the low 50% range, with five below that mark. CONTINUED

Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup

The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack

Biden Approval Drops as Majority of Americans Believe Economy Will Worsen in Coming Months

· Leave a Comment

The latest edition of the Grinnell College National Poll (Grinnell-Selzer) shows that nearly 6 in 10 Americans believe the economy will get worse in the next 12 months – the highest number recorded in the history of the poll. And the pessimism about the future of the economy may be weighing down President Joe Biden’s approval ratings across the board. …

The poll finds more Americans disapprove than approve of Biden’s performance as president (52% disapprove, 34% approve), with 14% saying they are not sure. …

With millions of Ukrainians currently displaced from their homes, 77% of Americans believe the United States should allow Ukrainian refugees to resettle here, and 72% support sending U.S. weapons to Ukraine to help aid their fight. But Americans oppose direct military involvement in the conflict: A strong majority (70%) is against sending U.S. troops into the battle, and 52% oppose the U.S. enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine. CONTINUED

Grinnell College National Poll

The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack

Biden approval rating drops to new low of 40%, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

· Leave a Comment

U.S. President Joe Biden’s public approval rating fell to a new low of 40% this week, a clear warning sign for his Democratic Party as it seeks to retain control of Congress in the Nov. 8 election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll.

The national poll, conducted on March 21 and 22, found that 54% of Americans disapprove of his job performance as the country struggles with high inflation and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed geopolitical concerns to the fore. CONTINUED

Andy Sullivan, Reuters

The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack

Biden’s Job Rating Still Tepid; COVID-19, Russia Handling Up

· Leave a Comment

At 42%, President Joe Biden’s latest job approval rating marks his seventh consecutive reading below 44%, while a majority of Americans, 54%, continue to disapprove of the job he is doing.

Although Biden’s overall rating is flat, Americans’ approval of his handling of the coronavirus response (53%) and the situation with Russia (42%) has each risen six points over the past month. At the same time, approval of his handling of foreign affairs (43%) and the economy (36%) is not significantly different than in February. CONTINUED

Megan Brenan, Gallup

The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack

While Democrats Debate ‘Latinx,’ Latinos Head to the G.O.P.

· Leave a Comment

Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters. …

The Democrats’ problems with Hispanics are especially glaring when you consider that Republicans are not exactly flawless when it comes to appealing to these voters. Both parties have committed a mind-boggling form of political malpractice for years: They have consistently failed to understand what motivates Hispanic voters, a crucial and growing part of the electorate. CONTINUED

Mike Madrid, New York Times

The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack