A year ahead of the presidential election, the American public is deeply cynical about government, politics and the nation’s elected leaders in a way that has become quite familiar. Currently, just 19% say they can trust the government always or most of the time, among the lowest levels in the […] Read more »
How Policies Discussed in the GOP Debate Fare With the Public
The third Republican debate on Wednesday night may be best remembered for the contentious relationship between the presidential candidates and the CNBC moderators, but the debate did touch on a number of hot-button political issues. Gallup looks at how some of the policy proposals or positions on these issues from […] Read more »
It’s Not Brain Surgery, Ben Carson
… Like other physicians before him, he has benefited from the public’s transposing his medical credentials onto his political qualifications. … And so we’ve seen Mr. Carson wielding his accomplishment of separating twins conjoined at the head at a debate as if it were a relevant line item on his […] 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 »
Americans’ Trust in Media Remains at Historical Low
Four in 10 Americans say they have “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of trust and confidence in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. This ties the historical lows on this measure set in 2014 and 2012. Prior to 2004, slight majorities of Americans […] Read more »
Trust in Federal Gov’t on Domestic Matters Edges to New Low
Americans’ trust in the federal government’s ability to handle domestic problems has fallen further to 38%, a new low. Americans are a bit more likely to trust the government to handle international problems, but at 45%, this is scarcely better than last year’s 43% record low. CONT. Jeffrey M. Jones, […] Read more »