Democrats in Congress have distanced themselves from President Barack Obama’s trade agenda. But that hasn’t created much of an opening for traditionally more pro-trade Republicans. Only 48% of Republican respondents in a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll say they would support a candidate who sees free trade as a way […] Read more »
Who’s Looking Out for the Little Person? Small Businesses Fly; Congress Flunks
Americans overwhelmingly say small businesses are on their side, followed by local news media and local government. But helpfulness scores turn middling to mildly negative for a range of other institutions in society – and sharply negative for one, the U.S. Congress. CONT. Gary Langer, ABC News Read more »
Taxpayers troubled by inequity
It’s a refrain that troubles me: “Nobody likes paying taxes.” Especially for people like me who never served in the military, taxes are the contribution we make to our country, the dues we pay for membership in the enterprise we call America Despite my personal misgivings, I’m willing to agree […] Read more »
On Economy, Americans Less Confident in Federal Leaders
Less than half of Americans (42%) have confidence in President Barack Obama on doing or recommending the right thing for the economy — the lowest figure Gallup has on record for him. New lows in confidence were also found for Democratic leaders (35%), while Republican leaders in Congress received the […] Read more »
Rich people rule!
… A forthcoming article in Perspectives on Politics by (my former colleague) Martin Gilens and (my sometime collaborator) Benjamin Page marks a notable step in that process. Drawing on the same extensive evidence employed by Gilens in his landmark book “Affluence and Influence,” Gilens and Page analyze 1,779 policy outcomes […] Read more »
Poll suggests Dems are missing the mark with swing voters
A new political advocacy group has teamed up with former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) to argue that the economic inequality agenda of Senate Democrats is a loser with swing voters. … The group, Each American Dream, which has a starter budget of $1 million, has commissioned a poll showing that […] Read more »