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 »

Public’s Policy Priorities Reflect Changing Conditions at Home and Abroad

As views of the economy improve and terrorist threats persist, the public’s policy priorities have changed: For the first time in five years, as many Americans cite defending the U.S. against terrorism (76%) as a top policy priority  as say that about strengthening the nation’s economy (75%). CONT. Pew Read more »

Americans’ view of the economy most positive in eight years

Americans’ views of the national economy are now the most positive they’ve been in almost eight years. Fifty-three percent say the economy is in very good or fairly good shape — an increase of 13 points since October and the highest percentage since September 2007, before the start of the […] Read more »

Obama Job Rating Ticks Higher, Views of Nation’s Economy Turn More Positive

President Obama enters the seventh year of his presidency in a familiar position when compared with his recent predecessors. His 47% job approval rating places him squarely between George W. Bush (33%) and Bill Clinton (63%) at similar points in their second terms. Obama’s rating is comparable to Ronald Reagan’s […] Read more »