AP-GfK Poll: Most Americans favor a higher minimum wage

Most Americans support increasing the minimum wage, as well as requiring employers to provide paid sick leave and parental leave, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. All three were proposed by President Barack Obama during his recent State of the Union address as ways to increase protections for American […] Read more »

Americans’ Views on 10 Key State of the Union Proposals

Gallup data reveal how Americans’ views line up with 10 key issues raised by President Barack Obama in his 2015 State of the Union address Tuesday night. CONT. Frank Newport, Jeffrey M. Jones & Lydia Saad, Gallup 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 »

Democrats Should Heed Americans’ Economic Anxiety

To recover from their debacle in the midterm elections, Democrats have seized on two questionable propositions: They lost mainly because of President Barack Obama’s unpopularity, and the 2016 presidential election will be more favorable. … Turnout, exit polls and other data suggest another Achilles’ heel for Democrats: the lack of […] Read more »

Don’t elect the messenger

Democrats’ economic agenda fared far better than Democratic candidates on Election Day. Minimum wage increases garnered big majorities in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota as voters were pummeling Democratic Senate candidates in those same states. Of course, candidates are much more than a bundle of issue positions, but understanding […] Read more »

Latino Voters and the 2014 Midterm Elections

A record 25.2 million Latinos are eligible to vote in the 2014 midterm elections, making up, for the first time, 11% of all eligible voters nationwide. But despite a growing national presence, in many states with close Senate and gubernatorial races this year, Latinos make up a smaller share of […] Read more »