In January, 7% of Americans name unemployment or jobs as the most important problem facing the country. Although this figure is similar to the 8% who cited unemployment or jobs in December 2014, it is the lowest percentage mentioning the issue since October 2008. Mentions of unemployment and jobs are […] Read more »
Not All Republicans Think Alike About Global Warming
The new Republican leaders in Congress have pledged to roll back the EPA’s proposed new regulations on coal-fired power plants – a key component of President Obama’s strategy to reduce global warming. However, Republican voters are actually split in their views about climate change. A look at public opinion among […] Read more »
G.O.P. Turns to the Courts to Aid Agenda
As Republicans prepare to take full control of Congress on Tuesday, the party’s leaders are counting on judges, not their newly elected majority on Capitol Hill, to roll back President Obama’s aggressive second-term agenda and block his executive actions on health care, climate change and immigration. … As the new […] Read more »
Cluster of Concerns Vie for Top U.S. Problem in 2014
In 2014, four issues generated enough public concern over enough months for at least 10% of Americans, on average, to identify each of them as the nation’s most important problem. Complaints about government leadership — including President Barack Obama, the Republicans in Congress and general political conflict — led the […] Read more »
As a Major U.S. Problem, Race Relations Sharply Rises
The percentage of Americans naming “race relations” or “racism” as the most important problem in the U.S. has climbed dramatically to 13%, the highest figure Gallup has recorded since a finding of 15% in 1992, in the midst of the Rodney King verdict. In November, race relations/racism was cited by […] Read more »
Democrats can do more than the minimum … and win
… Stagnant wages, persistent long term unemployment and inequality are significant concerns for voters, and the election results demonstrate that voters did not find real answers from either party. But post-election, the president has an opportunity to make substantial change for millions of low wage workers with direct, simple action; […] Read more »