… Political scientists have long seen events, public opinion and media coverage as critical factors in setting the agenda for policymakers. These factors do not make policy change inevitable, but they allegedly guide policymakers to address particular problems or issues. In my new book, “Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks […] Read more »
Americans Cite Jobs, Economy, Gov’t as Top U.S. Problems
Three issues — unemployment, the economy in general, and dissatisfaction with government — dominate when Americans name the most important problem facing the nation. Nineteen percent mention unemployment or jobs, 18% say dissatisfaction with government, and 17% the economy in general. Unemployment edged out the other two issues in February, […] Read more »
Climate Change Not a Top Worry in U.S.
Twenty-eight U.S. senators held an all-night “talkathon” Monday to call attention to climate change, an issue that only 24% of Americans say they worry about a great deal. This puts climate change, along with the quality of the environment, near the bottom of a list of 15 issues Americans rated […] Read more »
Economy hijacking the agenda
… A range of issues, from education and healthcare to crime and the environment, once competed to be a top priority. But now jobs and the economy have become the black hole that draws all light to itself, leaving almost no luminescence for the other second- and third-tier concerns. The […] Read more »
Five Key Data Points: Health Care & the 2014 Mid-Term Elections
1. Health care is second only to the economy and jobs as a vote issue for 2014 (Economy and Jobs – 55%, Health Care – 31%). 2. This survey tells us 2014 could be shaping up to be a Republican year. When voters were asked which party they want to […] Read more »
The People’s Top Priority for Their Government Is Clear
All of the models we use to assess what Americans want their government to focus on converge on one primary conclusion: jobs and the economy. Not only is the economy the top priority according to Americans in our recent assessment of a long list of possible issues, it is also […] Read more »