In January 2018, as Donald Trump completed his first year as president, Bright Line Watch conducted its fourth expert survey on the state of U.S. democracy. At the same time, we conducted an identical public survey – our second – with a nationally representative sample of Americans. This approach allows […] Read more »
Firmly outside the norm for consolidated democracies
Our survey results between December 2017 and January 2018 demonstrate mixed results, with some threat ratings improving and others worsening. From November to January, ratings improved on all six dimensions of democratic performance, reversing the deterioration from October to November. However, democracy experts still see American political behavior in 2017-18 […] Read more »
As the Super Bowl Approaches, Republicans Are Souring on the N.F.L. Again
If some viewers choose to skip the Super Bowl this year, one man you might blame – or credit – is President Trump. The 2017-18 season was one of division for the N.F.L., as it struggled with protests, lower ratings and declining support among its core fans. But how Republicans […] Read more »
Politics Shouldn’t Be Like Open Mic Night
The number of Democrats aiming to unseat Republican incumbents in the midterm elections is rewriting the record books. According to the Campaign Finance Institute, by last fall the Democrats were fielding about twice the number of challengers as Republicans managed in 2009, the height of the Tea Party insurgency. More […] Read more »
Despite NFL’s Woes, Football Remains America’s Most Dominant Sport
Despite concerns over player safety, player protests, and declining ratings, PRRI’s annual survey of sports and society finds that football remains Americans’ favorite sport to watch. The survey also examines Americans’ attitudes towards athletics issues from youth sports to professional leagues, including participation of transgender athletes in high school sports. […] Read more »
Empathize With Your Political Foe
Sept. 16, 2017, had the potential to be an awful day on the National Mall in Washington. It started with a rally, organized by a group of Trump supporters, called the Mother of All Rallies Patriot Unification Gathering. Counterprotesters from a group called Black Lives Matter of Greater New York […] Read more »