As New Poll Finds ‘Increased Xenophobic Streak,’ Republicans Heighten Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

As Republican presidential candidates and governors pronounce Muslims and Syrian refugees personae non grata after the horrific massacres in Paris on Friday, a major new poll about Americans’ religious and cultural attitudes provides an ominous look at Americans’ views on immigrants and Islam in particular. The Public Religion Research Institute’s […] Read more »

Both Parties Have Equal Chance to Win White House

It’s a mismatch — and an even match. Oddly, a year before Election Day, both accurately describe the 2016 race for the American presidency. Republicans and Democrats approach the contest in radically different circumstances, but with roughly equal opportunities to succeed President Obama, polling, analysts and recent electoral history suggest. […] Read more »

One Year Out, Candidates Face Angry, Dissatisfied Electorate

Almost a year out from Election Day 2016, Americans angry and dissatisfied with politics and with the nation’s direction, according to results from a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Just 27 percent of them believe the country is headed on the right track, which is identical to where it […] Read more »

Does Voter Anger Explain the Success of Presidential Outsiders?

Those of us who report on and analyze politics for a living have been talking ad nauseam about voters’ frustration and anger. It’s the hot topic that presumably explains Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Bernard Sanders, as well as the problems that political veterans such as Hillary Rodham Clinton and […] Read more »