Democrats cannot win big or consistently enough, deep enough down the ticket or broadly enough in the states, unless they run much stronger with white working-class and downscale voters. That includes running better with white working-class swing voters, of course. But it also includes winning more decisively with white unmarried […] Read more »
Americans say money has too much influence in campaigns
As the 2016 presidential race begins, 84 percent of Americans think money has too much influence in political campaigns now. Criticism of the role of money cuts across party lines – large majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents all think money has too much influence. CONT. CBS News Read more »
Favorable spending outlook for 2015 despite May decline in consumer optimism
Consumer optimism retreated in May as consumers adopted more modest prospects for a rebound following the economy’s dismal 1st quarter performance, according to the University of Michigan (U-M) Surveys of Consumers. CONT. University of Michigan Read more »
Trade Is a Striking Example of the Political Power of the Affluent
The Pacific Rim trade deal making its way through Congress is the latest step in a decades-long trend toward liberalizing trade — a somewhat mysterious development given that many Americans are skeptical of freer trade. But Americans with higher incomes are not so skeptical. They — along with businesses and […] Read more »
Free Trade Agreements Seen as Good for U.S., But Concerns Persist
As Congress considers a major new trade pact with Asia, there is broad public agreement that international free trade agreements are good for the United States. But fewer Americans express positive views of the impact of trade deals on their personal finances. CONT. Pew Read more »
No Improvement in Economic Confidence Index, Now at -9
Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index registered -9 for the week ending May 24, two points lower than the previous week. This reading remains lower than scores in the first four months of 2015, but is still much higher than what Gallup has found over most of the previous seven years. […] Read more »