After Mitt Romney selected his vice presidential running mate, and just days before the political conventions kick off next week, President Barack Obama maintains his advantage in the race for the White House, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. [cont.] Mark Murray, NBC News Read more »
Independents favor cooperation, are dissatisfied with political system
… Independent voters are not a monolithic bloc. Nor are many of them truly independent in their voting patterns, according to a new study by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Nearly two-thirds of Americans who describe themselves as independents act very much like partisan Republicans or partisan Democrats. […] Read more »
Ryan’s budget approach challenges bishops, at odds with Catholics
Mitt Romney’s decision to include Catholic congressman Paul Ryan on the Republican ticket presents a challenge for the U.S. Catholic bishops. And, equally importantly, it has the potential to open up a new “religion problem” for the Romney campaign among rank-and-file Catholics. At the heart of this tension is Ryan’s […] Read more »
Swing-State Voters Say They Are No Better Off Than in 2008
A majority of voters in key 2012 election swing states say they are not better off than they were four years ago; 40% say they are better off. Swing-state voters’ assessments of their situation compared with 2008 have varied little since last fall. [cont.] Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup Read more »
An Elusive Vein of Obama Support
… A fascinating poll released last week by Suffolk University in Boston dug into the thinking of the 40% or so eligible voters who say they’ll probably sit out this election. … Asked to list reasons why they may not vote this year, responses ranged from “don’t like either candidate” […] Read more »
Ryan on Ticket Focuses Both Campaigns on Turnout
The selection of Paul Ryan to be the Republican vice-presidential candidate has galvanized both parties’ bases. The Wisconsin congressman is Velcro for his side and Teflon for Democrats. That enthusiasm is critical in an election that will be awash in cash from the well-heeled campaigns and the outside groups unleashed […] Read more »