Against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to accept four cases involving whether states can constitutionally prohibit same-sex marriages, a slight majority of Americans (53%) say they are satisfied with the acceptance of gays and lesbians in the U.S. This level is the same as last year but […] Read more »
Mood on Economy Up, Race Relations Sharply Down
Americans’ views about the economy, their overall quality of life and the opportunity to get ahead through hard work are more positive than they were before the 2014 State of the Union Address — echoing their improving economic confidence. At the same time, Americans are markedly less satisfied with the […] Read more »
Marriage Case Offers G.O.P. Political Cover
The news Friday that the Supreme Court will rule on same-sex marriage brought elation from gays and lesbians who are hopeful the justices will grant them the constitutional protections they have long sought. But another group also saw a possible reason to celebrate if the court does indeed rule that […] Read more »
Can Jeb Bush Defy the Tea Party and Win?
Can Jeb Bush win the Republican presidential nomination while defying the most ideologically committed wing of his party? Bill Clinton did this successfully in 1992, when he staked out conservative stands opposed by the liberal wing of his party — the so-called Sister Souljah strategy, designed to distance himself from […] Read more »
What’s Ahead for Americans in 2015?
As 2014 ends, the attention of a nation turns to 2015 and how Americans’ attitudes and opinions may change in the months ahead. The political focus in 2015 will inevitably turn away from lame-duck President Barack Obama, and toward the maneuverings of the multitude of politicians who are in one […] Read more »
In Canvassing, Messenger Is as Important as Message, Study Finds
See also (from May 2015): Author of Study on Changing Views of Gay Marriage Seeks Its Retraction Gay political canvassers can soften the opinions of voters opposed to same-sex marriage by having a brief, face-to-face discussion about the issue, researchers reported on Thursday. The findings could have implications for activists […] Read more »