Is the American public becoming less religious? Yes, at least by some key measures of what it means to be a religious person. An extensive new survey of more than 35,000 U.S. adults finds that the percentages who say they believe in God, pray daily and regularly go to church […] Read more »
The Francis effect on the Greenhouse Effect
Pope Francis has maintained remarkably high public approval ratings in the United States throughout his papacy. But many warned during the months leading up to his American visit in late September that his continued focus on controversial policy issues might cause those support levels to plunge from their rather celestial […] Read more »
The Sunny Perspective of an Influential Pollster
Stanley B. Greenberg was the senior pollster for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and President Nelson Mandela. In America Ascendant: A Revolutionary Nation’s Path to Addressing Its Deepest Problems and Leading the 21st Century, he writes that despite Washington gridlock, the diversity […] Read more »
Outsiders Trump and Carson Draw Different GOP Crowds
Two unconventional candidates, businessman Donald Trump and former neurosurgeon Ben Carson, are leading the Republican presidential field. Both are often described together as political “outsiders.” But that label misses an important point: Each one appeals to a different segment of the GOP primary base. Mr. Carson is drawing support from […] Read more »
An Atheist for President? God, No
When they’re not slinging mud at one another, political candidates love making references to religion. Overt or subtle professions of faith are not limited to Republicans courting Evangelical voters; both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama skillfully incorporated religious allusions into their campaign speeches. Why all this talk of God? New […] Read more »
Republican candidates field a resistance movement against change
Look at the slogans Republican presidential candidates are running on: “Make America great again” (Donald Trump); “Believe again” (Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal); “Reigniting the promise of America” (Senator Ted Cruz of Texas); “Restore the American Dream” (former Senator Rick Santorum)’ “Heal. Inspire. Revive” (Ben Carson). Notice a theme here? … […] Read more »