business and economy
Americans Oppose Income Redistribution to Fix Economy ... Given a choice, Americans prefer that the government focus on improving the economy as opposed to redistributing wealth, by an overwhelming 84% to 13% margin. This view is widely shared by Republicans (90% to 9%), independents (85% to 13%), and Democrats (77% to 19%).
Gallup Daily: Americans' Current Views of the Economy ... Currently, 79% of Americans hold negative views about the economy, while 13% hold mixed views, and only 5% hold positive views.
Gallup Daily: Tracking Americans' Tax Rebates ... As of June 26, 50% of Americans report receiving an economic stimulus payment from the U.S. government.
Americans Prioritize the Economy Over Terrorism ... A majority of Americans say they prefer a candidate whose greatest strength is fixing the economy (56%) over one whose greatest strength is protecting the country from terrorism (39%).
College Graduates Less Pessimistic About U.S. Economy ... Consumers' ratings of the economy have fallen to their lowest level since 1992, mirroring other consumer confidence ratings -- but college graduates, those with higher incomes, and Republicans are less likely than other Americans to rate current economic conditions as "poor."
Obama vs. McCain, Issue by Issue ... Americans currently put more faith in Barack Obama than John McCain to do a good job on energy, the economy, healthcare, and taxes, but say McCain would do a better job than Obama on terrorism.
Confidence in U.S. Banks Down Sharply ... Just 32% of Americans express confidence in U.S. banks, down nine percentage points over the past year and near the record low of 30% in October 1991 -- the lowest level in the three decades Gallup has been measuring confidence in banking institutions.
Sinking Confidence in U.S. Banks ... Americans' confidence in banks has dropped nine percentage points since June 2007 and more than any other institution in the survey.
About Half of Americans Report Receiving Stimulus Rebate ... Nearly half of Americans have already received their tax rebates - and more than half of those with middle incomes -- but they have done little or nothing to bolster consumer confidence suggesting their overall economic impact may already be waning.
U.S. Consumer Mood Unaffected by Tax Rebates ... Americans who have received a tax rebate are just as pessimistic about the economy and worried about money as those who have not yet received a rebate.
Gas Prices Hurting Americans Beyond the Pump ... The rising price of gasoline is not only affecting Americans' driving habits, but 11% say it is causing them to have little or no disposable income, and 9% say that it is hurting them financially.
Gas Prices Having A Ripple Effect in Americans' Lives ... Many Americans say that the rising cost of gas has had an impact on their personal and financial lives, in ways both directly and not directly relating to driving or travel.
Public Faults Bush for Lack of Action on Energy ... Only 17% of Americans think President Bush is doing enough to address U.S. energy problems, and 49% say he deserves a great deal of blame for these. Both numbers are more negative for Bush than they were in 2006.
Nearly One-Third of Credit-Card Owners Hold High Balances ... Thirty percent of credit-card holders say they have a balance of more than $2,000, and 19% say their balance exceeds $5,000.
"Modern Myanmar" Tops Burmese Hopes for Nation's Future ... A Gallup survey in Myanmar before Cyclone Nargis ripped through the country shows residents dreamed of a modern, developed country (37%) with better economic conditions (21%).
Early June Has 86% Saying U.S. Economy Is Getting Worse ... During the first week of June, Americans continued to show near-unanimity that the economy continues to deteriorate, with 89% of those making less than $90,000 a year saying things are getting worse and 83% of those making $90,000 or more saying the same.
Four in 10 Americans See Their Standard of Living Declining ... Forty-three percent of Americans say their standard of living is worse now than it was five years ago, nearly matching the percentage (45%) who say it is better now. The public generally remains optimistic about the future, as 62% expect their standard of living to rise in the next five years.
In U.S., 28% Say Their Kids Will Be Worse Off ... While 45% of Americans expect their children's standard of living to be better than theirs is now, 28% expect it to be worse.
Gallup Daily: Negative Economic Ratings Persist ... Only 17% of Americans rate economic conditions good, while 45% call them poor -- and a near-record 87% believe the economy is getting worse.
Gallup Daily: Negative Economic Ratings Hold Steady ... Although Friday brought a spate of bad economic news, consumer confidence may already be so negative that it can't get much worse. The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update finds 44% of Americans rating current economic conditions as poor and 86% saying the economy is getting worse.
Gallup Daily: Consumer Optimism in Short Supply ... Only 17% of Americans offer a positive review of current economic conditions, calling them excellent or good, and even fewer -- just 10% -- believe conditions are getting better.
Gallup Daily: Consumers Retain Negative Economic Views ... Americans continue to exhibit negative views of the U.S. economy with no sign of any creeping optimism. Some 45% of Americans consider current economic conditions "poor" and 85% say they are getting worse.
Net New Hiring Activity Suggests U.S. Lost Jobs in May ... Gallup's Net New Hiring Activity measure fell by 2.2 percentage points in May, doubling its 1.1-point drop from March to April, as fewer employees say their companies are hiring and more say their employers are letting people go.
Gallup Daily: Negative Consumer Views Are Unabated ... Close to half of Americans (45%) consider current economic conditions "poor" and 86% say they are getting worse. Both results are just shy of the upper thresholds seen for these measures in 2008.
Gallup Daily: Economic Ratings Highly Stable in Recent Days ... Consumer ratings of the economy have changed little in recent days. In fact, the percentages rating the economy poor (43%) and saying the economy is getting worse (86%) have been the same in the last three releases.
government and politics
Americans Oppose Income Redistribution to Fix Economy ... Given a choice, Americans prefer that the government focus on improving the economy as opposed to redistributing wealth, by an overwhelming 84% to 13% margin. This view is widely shared by Republicans (90% to 9%), independents (85% to 13%), and Democrats (77% to 19%).
Mongolians Distrust Government and Elections ... With parliamentary elections being held this week, Gallup reveals that relatively few Mongolians have confidence in their current government (37%) or the honesty of elections (21%).
Confidence in Congress: Lowest Ever for Any U.S. Institution ... Just 12% of Americans express confidence in Congress, the lowest Gallup has measured for any institution in the 35-year history of the confidence in institutions question. HMOs (13%) are rated about as poorly as Congress, while Americans have the most confidence in the military (71%).
Bush, Congress, Supreme Court Near Historical Low Approval ... The latest Gallup Poll finds the approval ratings for President Bush (30%), Congress (19%), and the Supreme Court (48%) all on the low end of what Gallup has measured historically.
Interactive Graph: Follow the General Election ... For the Gallup Poll Daily tracking survey, Gallup is interviewing no fewer than 1,000 U.S. adults nationwide each day. Each result is based on combined data from a five-day rolling average through June 8 and a three-day rolling average beginning June 9.
Americans Have Positive Views of Countries Bush Will Visit ... Among the countries George W. Bush will visit in his last European trip as president, Great Britain (89%), Germany (82%), and France (69%) receive largely positive ratings from Americans. Positive feelings toward Germany and France have been restored after taking a hit in the lead-up to the Iraq war.
Blacks, Young Adults Sense Security Risks for Obama ... A majority of blacks (57%) and young adults (53%) believe Barack Obama faces heightened security risks as a presidential candidate, with most attributing this to his being black. Still, very few are highly worried or think he should not have run because of it.
As Primary Campaign Ends, Clinton's Image Mostly Intact ... Hillary Clinton is emerging from the hard-fought Democratic primary season with a 74% favorable rating among Democrats, down only slightly from a year ago and identical to Barack Obama's.
Bush Job Approval at 28%, Tied for Lowest of Administration ... President George W. Bush's job approval rating in the May 30-June 1 USA Today/Gallup poll is at 28%, tied for the lowest of his administration. Bush's disapproval rating is at 68%, one point off the highest such reading in Gallup history.
Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. Enemies ... Two-thirds of Americans think it's a good idea for the U.S. president to meet with leaders of enemy countries, generally, and 59% think it would be a good idea to meet with the president of Iran, specifically.
Climate-Change Views: Republican-Democratic Gaps Expand ... In this in-depth review of Gallup Poll global warming attitude trends, Dr. Riley Dunlap, Regents Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University and Gallup Scholar for the Environment, discusses the political chasm that has developed over the past decade.
Partisan Gap on Global Warming Grows ... In 1997, 47% of Republicans and 46% of Democrats thought the effects of global warming were already manifest. Today, 41% of Republicans feel this way, compared with 76% of Democrats.
Key Clinton Constituencies Moving Toward Obama ... Barack Obama's widening lead over Hillary Clinton among Democrats nationally brings with it important gains among Clinton's core constituencies, including women, whites, and the non-college educated. Obama is now the overwhelming favorite among 18- to 29-year-olds, men, and postgraduates.
Post-IN/NC, Democrats Still OK With Continuing Campaign ... A majority of Democrats (55%) say both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama should continue campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination, while 35% say Clinton should drop out.
Bush Approval Rating Down to 60% Among Republicans ... At a time when George W. Bush's job approval rating has fallen to 28%, just 6 in 10 Republicans approve of the job he is doing, the lowest of his administration. Jimmy Carter has the historical low presidential approval rating from his own party's supporters, at 34%.
Obama Beats McCain Among Jewish Voters ... Gallup Poll Daily tracking finds Jewish Democrats continuing to favor Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, but by only a slim margin -- 50% to 43% in April, compared with 51% to 41% in March.
Most Democrats Not Eager for Either Candidate to Drop Out ... Prior to Tuesday's North Carolina and Indiana primaries, 60% of Democrats said that both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should continue to campaign; 23% said Clinton should drop out and 15% said Obama should.
Clinton Supporters Believe Wright Is Relevant to Campaign ... Fifty-one percent of Democratic supporters of Hillary Clinton who have followed the Jeremiah Wright controversy say it is a legitimate topic of discussion in the presidential campaign, while 85% of Barack Obama supporters who have followed it disagree.
Republicans Divided in Preferences for Democratic Nominee ... Republicans are about evenly divided as to whether they would rather see Hillary Clinton (48%) or Barack Obama (44%) as the Democratic nominee. More than half of Republicans (59%) would choose the Democrat they view as the lesser of two evils as opposed to the one they think would be easier to beat.
Is Ongoing Democratic Campaign Good or Bad for the Party? ... While 76% of Obama supporters say the continuing campaign for the Democratic nomination is hurting their party's chances of winning the presidency in November, only 43% of Clinton supporters agree.
Clinton's vs. Obama's Strengths in the General Election ... Both potential Democratic presidential nominees attract traditional Democratic constituencies when matched against John McCain in the fall election. However, only 78% of black Democrats would vote for Clinton against McCain, and only 74% of Democrats overall say they would vote for Obama.
Top-of-Mind Candidate Perceptions In-Depth ... Americans are most likely to say that Barack Obama is young and inexperienced (15%) when they are asked what comes to mind when they think of him. There has been an increase since late 2006 in perceptions that Hillary Clinton is dishonest (from 6% to 15%) and John McCain is too old (from 2% to 12%).
Education Clearly Divides Preferences of White Democrats ... Hillary Clinton has a strongly differential appeal to white Democrats who do not have a college degree, regardless of their age. Barack Obama enjoys nearly the same advantage among white Democrats who do have a college degree.
McCain Widely Recognized as a "War Hero" ... John McCain receives bipartisan acclaim from Americans for his military service to the country, with 66% calling him a "war hero." Additionally, 38% of Americans say they are more likely to vote for him for president because of it.
Only 33% Say McCain Has Clear Plan to Solve U.S. Problems ... Americans are now less likely to say John McCain has a clear plan for solving the country's problems (33%) than they were in March (42%), and to say that Hillary Clinton is honest and trustworthy (down to 37% from 44%). Barack Obama's scores on "caring" have changed little after his "bitter" remarks.
health and healthcare
Social Time Crucial to Daily Emotional Well-Being in U.S. ... On a given day, 49% of Americans experience a lot of enjoyment/happiness, while 10% experience intense stress/worry. The percentage of Americans who experience a lot of happiness/enjoyment compared to those who experience intense stress/worry is highest for those who report spending six to seven hours socializing.
Nearly As Many Americans Struggling as Thriving ... Based on the first-of-its-kind daily survey of American well-being, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index finds 49% of Americans thriving, 47% struggling, and nearly 4% suffering.
Few Americans Meet Exercise Targets ... Since 2001, Americans' levels of participation in three broad categories of exercise have barely budged. Few meet medical targets for vigorous exercise, moderate physical activities, or weight training.
Three in 10 Have Postponed Medical Treatment Due to Cost ... Gallup's latest Healthcare survey shows that 30% of U.S. households report putting off medical treatment because of cost. Out of those who say they postponed treatment, 60% say it was for either a very or a somewhat serious condition.
Iraq Top Issue for 2008 Vote ... Americans say the war in Iraq, the economy and healthcare are the most important issues that will decide their vote in 2008.
Prioritizing Long-Term Care ... Newt Gingrich and Bob Kerrey discuss the importance of improving healthcare options for aging Americans. Americans say access and cost are the most important health issues in the U.S.
"Access" Gains as Top Perceived U.S. Health Problem ... Thirty percent of Americans, up from 22% a year ago, name access to healthcare as the most urgent health problem facing the country today. This is the highest percentage mentioning access in the 20 years Gallup has asked the question. Access now ties with healthcare costs as the top-rated concern.
Care Access Biggest Health Concern ... Americans have grown more likely over the past year to say access to healthcare is the most urgent health problem facing the U.S.
Republicans Report Much Better Mental Health Than Others ... Republicans are significantly more likely than Democrats or independents to rate their mental health as excellent. This relationship persists even when controlling for variables such as income, religion, and gender.
Tackling HIV/AIDS in Kenya ... Gallup's Regional Director for sub-Saharan Africa weighs in on Kenyans' relatively high awareness about treating and preventing HIV/AIDS.
Majority of Americans Satisfied With Their Healthcare Plans ... Despite ever-increasing healthcare costs, a majority of Americans remain satisfied with what they personally pay for their healthcare. Most Americans also rate the quality of the healthcare they receive and their healthcare coverage positively.
Americans Assess Healthcare System ... Just 17% of Americans are satisfied with the cost of healthcare, but a plurality say they prefer maintaining the current system over converting to government-run healthcare.
No Increase in Public Pressure for Healthcare Reform ... Gallup's new Health and Healthcare poll finds public pressure for healthcare reform fairly flat, with no change in the high percentage of Americans who think national healthcare coverage and costs need to be improved, and little change in the percentages not satisfied with their personal healthcare and costs.
Strong Relationship Between Income and Mental Health ... Most Americans report having "good" or "excellent" mental health. Despite the old saying that "money can't buy happiness," those with higher incomes have better mental health, even when controlling for education, gender, age, church attendance, and marital status.
Americans in Good Mental Shape ... A majority of Americans say they are in excellent or good mental health. Men, Republicans, and those who are married are most likely to report they are in excellent mental health.
Most Americans in Good Health This Thanksgiving ... More than 8 in 10 Americans rate their physical health positively this year, similar to results over the past six years. Americans say their health was poor an average of four days this past month, with an average of three days where poor health prevented them from carrying out their usual activities.
Democrats Disappointed in Democrats ... A majority of Democrats are disappointed or angry with the job Democrats in Congress are doing on Iraq, immigration, and healthcare.
The People's Priorities: Gallup's Top 10 ... Gallup 's Editors constantly update their analysis of the American public's priorities for their elected representatives in Washington -- the men and women sent to the nation's capital to do the people's bidding. The Top 10 Priorities list is based on an analysis of open-ended responses to questions asking Americans to name the top priorities for the government and to name the most important problem facing the nation today, plus a series of additional questions in which Americans rate the priorities of the issues and concerns facing the nation today.
Clinton Sweeps Candidate Healthcare Ratings ... Hillary Clinton stands head and shoulders above the other leading presidential candidates from both major parties in perceptions of the candidates' positions on healthcare. Fifty-three percent of Americans say she has good ideas on healthcare, while only 38% disagree.
Any Healthcare Reform Plan Will Do for Americans ... Americans generally support of all the major healthcare proposals put forth by the leading Republican and Democratic candidates for president. The most widely popular plans enjoying broad bipartisan support are those that foster greater access to private health insurance.
Both Parties Have Strengths in "SCHIP" Debate ... Americans' basic reaction to the heated federal debate over funding for a major children's healthcare program is to say they trust the Democrats in Congress more than President Bush to deal with the issue. At the same time, a majority of Americans side with Bush over the Democrats in terms of how much the program should be expanded, and share Bush's philosophical concern that the Democrats' plan is a step toward socialized medicine.
Gallup Examines Global Well-being ... Economists throughout the world are beginning to use happiness as an economic indicator. Gallup helps refine this approach.
Scientists Assess Global Well-Being ... Scientists from around the globe are gathering to discuss groundbreaking findings on the state of global well-being. Reaching beyond traditional indicators of global well-being, Gallup's measures incorporate subjective self-reported assessments from people in more than 130 countries on nearly all aspects of life.
Hardships Still Common in Former Soviet Nations ... More than 15 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, people living in its successor states are likely to say key aspects of life are worse now than before 1991. Many report higher costs for housing, healthcare, and education, while few report increases in quality.
Life Post-USSR ... In 14 former Soviet nations, the Gallup World Poll finds that some aspects of life have deteriorated since the fall of the USSR.
religion and social trends
Republicans, Democrats Differ on Creationism ... There is a significant political divide in Americans' beliefs about the origin of human beings, with 60% of Republicans saying humans were created in their present form by God 10,000 years ago, a belief shared by only 40% of independents and 38% of Democrats.
Americans Have Net-Positive View of U.S. Catholics ... As Pope Benedict XVI visits, Americans give U.S. Roman Catholics a net positive rating of +32, ranking them among the more positive of 10 U.S. spiritual or religious groups rated in a recent Gallup Panel survey.
Gallup Glance Around the Globe ... Data-driven insights into new efforts to curb global climate change, the case against Turkey's ruling party, and the 2008 American baseball season.
TV Ownership May Be Good for Well-Being ... In most countries worldwide, Gallup finds that people who have a television in their homes also express higher well-being and optimism than do those without TVs in their homes.
Easter Season Finds a Religious, Largely Christian, Nation ... America's churches will be much fuller than usual this weekend as Christians celebrate Easter, one of the two times a year when church attendance in the United States is traditionally at its highest.
Balkan Nations at Odds With Greece Over Macedonia's Name ... Despite Greece's criticism of Macedonia for using the same name as a Greek province, a regional median of 60% of respondents from six Balkan nations and special areas agree with the use of the name "Macedonia."
Gallup Glance Around the Globe ... Data-driven insights into economic conditions in Cuba, Americans' perceptions of Cuba, Japan's Internet satellite, and Americans' movie-watching habits.
Christianity in the Palestinian Territories ... Gallup reports from the West Bank on the difficulties that Christian Arabs face living in Gaza and the West Bank.
Huckabee, McCain Lead Among Highly Religious Republicans ... At the national level, highly religious Republicans support Mike Huckabee more than any other GOP candidate, but John McCain's support is now just a few points lower. Huckabee has been at the top of the list among this group for the past two months.
Few Americans Meet Exercise Targets ... Since 2001, Americans' levels of participation in three broad categories of exercise have barely budged. Few meet medical targets for vigorous exercise, moderate physical activities, or weight training.
Most Americans "Very Satisfied" With Their Personal Lives ... A recent Gallup poll finds the public generally content with their own lives. Most say they are generally happy, with a slim majority saying they are "very happy." More than 8 in 10 say they are satisfied with their personal lives at this time, including a solid majority who say they are "very satisfied."
55% of Americans Find Answers in Religion ... Nearly 9 in 10 Americans identify with some type of religion and more than half attend church at least once a month.
Questions and Answers About Americans' Religion ... More than 8 out of 10 Americans identify with a Christian religion, and about that many say religion is at least fairly important in their daily lives. Americans' self-reported church attendance has changed little in recent years.
Saudis Support Women's Rights ... In the wake of the sentencing and pardoning of a Saudi woman who was a victim of sexual assault, Gallup reexamines data which finds majorities of women and men support women's rights in Saudi Arabia.
South American Women on the Rise ... Gallup findings from nine South American countries suggest that women are gaining ground in the home and workplace.
Gay Acceptance Globally ... Gallup finds that acceptance of homosexuality differs globally. Jonathan Rauch, acclaimed author and scholar, discusses possible reasons why.
Gallup Glance Around the Globe ... Americans weigh in on the California wildfires and sanctions on Iran. Gallup also looks at respect for children in Chad and conditions for religious minorities in Canada.
Many World Citizens Trust Neighbors More Than Police ... Gallup World Poll interviews in 86 countries reveal that in a majority of countries, neighbors are perceived to be more trustworthy than are the police. In Kenya, for example, 62% of respondents believe a neighbor would return a lost wallet to its rightful owner, but only 23% think the police would do the same.
Little Change in Public's View of the U.S. Drug Problem ... A recent Gallup Poll finds most Americans saying illegal drugs in the country are a very serious problem, but substantially fewer Americans -- about than 3 in 10 -- say drugs are a problem in their community. Roughly one in three Americans say the government has made progress dealing with the problem of illegal drugs in the past two years. Perceptions about drugs are related to household income and gender.
Most Americans Say O.J. Simpson Is Guilty of Recent Charges ... Gallup's late September Panel poll finds most Americans hold a negative opinion of O.J. Simpson. Two in three Americans think Simpson is guilty of armed robbery following his recent arrest. If he were convicted in this case, most would not believe that justice had finally been served for Simpson's possible involvement in the murders of his ex-wife and her friend more than a decade ago.
Majority of Americans at Personal Best in the Morning ... Fifty-five percent of Americans say they are at their personal best during the morning hours, with 10 a.m. being the specific hour most often mentioned. People's likelihood of saying they are best in the morning increases with age and at higher income levels.
Sixty-Nine Percent of Americans Support Death Penalty ... A substantial majority of 69% of Americans respond "yes" when asked this question: "Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?" This level of support for the death penalty is generally in line with what Gallup has measured in 13 polls conducted since 1999. A majority of Americans also say the death penalty is applied fairly, and only about one in five say it is applied too often.
Views on Capital Punishment ... Americans continue to show consistent support for the death penalty.
High Perceptions of Corruption in Former Soviet Nations ... Residents across 14 former Soviet republics are far more likely to say corruption is higher now than lower when compared with the days of the Soviet Union. Perceptions of corruption vary by nation, but in no country do a majority of residents say the level of corruption has decreased.
Republicans Split Over Which Candidate Best on Abortion ... None of the top Republican presidential candidates emerges as the clear leader in Republicans' ratings of who would do the best job of handling each of 17 key issues tested in a recent Gallup Poll. In particular, Republicans show no consensus as to who would best handle moral values issues such as abortion and gay marriage. Rudy Giuliani generally performs the best in the issue ratings, especially on terrorism, crime, and race relations.
education and youth
Indians More Satisfied Than Chinese With Schools ... Despite China's legendary educational system, more Indians (77%) than Chinese (66%) say they are satisfied with their schools -- an important factor as both economic giants continue to grow their well-educated workforces.
The Divide Between Public School Parents and Private School Parents ... A Gallup analysis finds that parents with children who attend private, parochial, or who are home schooled to be more positive than public school parents about the quality of their children's education, and less likely to be concerned for their children's safety at school. Americans continue to be more dissatisfied than satisfied with the quality of education in the U.S., while most parents remain satisfied with their own children's education.
More Than Half of K-12 Parents Relieved Summer Vacation Is Over ... Fifty-three percent of parents with children in kindergarten through 12th grade say they are relieved that summer vacation is over and that their children are going back to school; 42% say they wish summer vacation would last longer. When asked why they are relieved, parents most often say their children are bored or should be at school learning or developing their education skills.
Lunch Grades Well ... Parents are fairly content with the food that their kids' schools are serving up.
Malaysian Bloggers ... Malaysia is cracking down on bloggers as online criticism of the government grows.
Guns and Security ... Gallup asked Americans about their views on what should be done on college campuses to increase security.
Legal Immigration? ... Has the U.S. made progress or lost ground in dealing with illegal immigration? Should it allow illegal immigrants to be given a path to citizenship? The American public answers these questions and more.
Gun Control ... In the wake of the tragic event that took place at Virginia Tech on Monday, Gallup shares Americans' thoughts on gun control.
Top 5 Issues ... What do you consider to be the top problem in America today? Gallup takes an in-depth look at the top five issues Americans think the country is facing today.
Worldy Concerns ... Gallup asks Americans their views on the environment.
Global Warming ... Gallup looks at the changes in Americans' concerns and knowledge of global warming.
Lost Childhood: Russians Pessimistic About Conditions Facing Youth ... Russians may have given up on the halcyon images of childhood widely promulgated during the Soviet era. Today, just 25% say children in their country are treated with respect and dignity, and only 39% believe they have the opportunity to learn and grow every day. Such perceptions result in tough choices for prospective parents, and do not bode well for Russia's current population decline.
One in Four Parents Worry That Their Children Watch Too Much TV ... A recent Gallup Panel poll asked parents about their children's television viewing habits. About half say their children watch a great deal or fair amount of television, but most are not concerned about the amount of television or the types of programs their children are watching. More than half of parents are aware that their television sets are equipped with parental controls, but most of these parents rarely or never use these functions to control their children's viewing habits.
Parent Concern About Children's Safety at School on the Rise ... Following the recent wave of school shootings, parental fear about their children's safety at school has increased to the highest level measured in more than five years. Meanwhile, parents report their children are no more likely to express fear about being safe at school now than before the recent shootings.
Before Recent Shootings, Most Parents Not Worried About School Safety ... A recent Gallup Poll has tracked the public perceptions on the issues of school safety and gun control. In August of this year, the majority of parents of school-aged children in America were generally not fearful for their child's safety at school, although the trend on this measure of safety concern has varied significantly over the years.
School Safety ... With the recent wave of school shootings will parents fear for their child's safety ? Gallup data shows Americans are surprisingly quick to recover.
Elementary Concern ... Have national security concerns trickled down to our schools? Gallup's annual education survey results may surprise you.
How to Fix High School Education: The People Speak ... When asked how they would improve high school education in America today, Americans' suggest improving the quality and quantity of teachers, modifying high school curriculum, particularly in terms of a return to basics, providing better financial resources for schools, and providing better discipline and security.
Making the Grade ... Overall, public schools don't get high marks. The exception, PDK/Gallup finds, is in local loyalities.
One in Four Parents Concerned About Child's Safety at School ... As the nation's youth start heading back to school, data from Gallup's annual Work and Education Poll finds one in four parents of school-aged children harboring concerns about the safety of their oldest child while attending school. This fear is particularly common among parents with less formal education.
Americans Not Convinced That Local Schools Are in Crisis ... While Americans agree there are major problems with the public school system in the United States, the public is much more positive when asked about schools in their local community. Parents of students in the nation's public schools are even more positive when asked about the school their child attends. A new Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll also shows that Americans believe the biggest problem faced by public schools is lack of adequate funding.
NCLB ... More Americans are aware of 'No Child Left Behind,' but support for NCLB hasn't increased by equal measure.
Ramsey Case ... How much do Americans care about the new chapter opening in the case of Jonbenet Ramsey's murder almost 10 years ago?
Race Relations ... The Census Bureau reports blacks have higher unemployment levels and lower incomes than others in the country. Americans give their ideas on how to improve the situation.
Confidence Levels ... The military, big business, the government - in which institutions do Americans place their trust?
NationsPulse
Gallup Daily: Obama, McCain Still Tied at 44% ... For the third straight day, Gallup Poll Daily tracking shows Barack Obama and John McCain tied in national registered voter preferences for the fall election, each now with 44% of the vote.
Gallup Daily: Obama, McCain Still Tied, Now at 44% ... Gallup Poll Daily tracking from June 23-25 shows Barack Obama and John McCain tied at 44% in voter preferences for the fall election.
Gallup Daily: Obama, McCain Tied at 45% ... Barack Obama and John McCain, who have been closely matched in Gallup Poll Daily tracking for the last week, are now even at 45% each.
Gallup Daily: Obama Holds Slight Edge, 46% vs. 43% ... Barack Obama leads John McCain in national voter preferences by 46% to 43%, exactly the same as Gallup reported on Monday, and similar to where the race has been for the past five days.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 43% ... Barack Obama continues to hold a slight advantage over John McCain in the latest presidential election trial heat, 46% to 43%. The 3-point Obama advantage matches the average for the past week.
Gallup Daily: Election Preferences Are Stable ... For the third consecutive day, Gallup Poll Daily tracking on the presidential election shows 46% of registered voters preferring Barack Obama and 44% John McCain if the election were held today.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 44% ... John McCain and Barack Obama remain nearly tied in national voter preferences, 46% for Obama and 44% for McCain.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 44% ... Gallup Poll Daily tracking for June 16-19 shows Barack Obama with 46% of the support of registered voters and John McCain at 44%.
Gallup Daily: Obama Leads as Preferences Stabilize ... Barack Obama leads John McCain 47% to 42% in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update of registered voters' presidential election preferences, as the race appears to have stabilized for the moment.
Gallup Daily: Race Remains at Obama 46%, McCain 42% ... Barack Obama's lead over John McCain in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update remains 46% to 42% for the second day in a row.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 42% ... Barack Obama continues to maintain an advantage over John McCain in the latest presidential election trial heat, leading by 46% to 42%.
Gallup Daily: Obama-McCain Race Reverts to Virtual Tie ... Voters are closely divided in their presidential preferences between Barack Obama and John McCain, with 44% of national registered voters favoring Obama and 42% backing McCain.
Gallup Daily: Obama 45%, McCain 42% ... Barack Obama maintains a three percentage point advantage over John McCain, 45% to 42%, an edge slightly smaller than the lead he enjoyed in the days after Hillary Clinton's departure from the race.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 43% ... Barack Obama leads John McCain in national registered voter preferences for the election, but by a slightly narrower margin than earlier this week, 46%-43%. Notably, 10% of voters now say they are undecided or won't vote for either candidate, a high for this trend since its inception in early March.
Editorial Note: No Gallup Daily Reports Today ... Heavy storms and tornadoes shut down Gallup interviewing centers in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday night; as a result Gallup will not be publishing new Gallup Poll Daily tracking results Thursday, June 12. The next report will be Friday, June 13.
Gallup Daily: Obama 48%, McCain 42% ... Barack Obama once again leads John McCain by a statistically significant margin, 48% to 42%, continuing his best run to this point in Gallup Poll Daily tracking of the general election.
Gallup Daily: Obama's Lead Stabilizing ... Barack Obama continues to enjoy a modest bump in support following Hillary Clinton's exit from the campaign, leading John McCain 48% to 41% in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking numbers.
Gallup Daily: Obama Takes Lead Over McCain, 48% to 42% ... Barack Obama is enjoying a modest bump in support following Hillary Clinton's exit from the presidential race. The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update finds Obama leading Republican John McCain, 48% to 42%, among registered voters nationwide.
Gallup Daily: Negative Economic Ratings Persist ... Only 17% of Americans rate economic conditions good, while 45% call them poor -- and a near-record 87% believe the economy is getting worse.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 44% ... Voter preferences in the presidential election remain closely split between Barack Obama, now favored by 46% of national registered voters, and John McCain, favored by 44%.
Gallup Daily: Negative Economic Ratings Hold Steady ... Although Friday brought a spate of bad economic news, consumer confidence may already be so negative that it can't get much worse. The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update finds 44% of Americans rating current economic conditions as poor and 86% saying the economy is getting worse.
Gallup Daily: Obama, McCain Contest Remains Tight ... Voter preferences between Barack Obama (46%) and John McCain (45%) remain close, though Obama has fared slightly better the past two days after Hillary Clinton decided to bow out of the campaign.
Gallup Daily: Consumer Optimism in Short Supply ... Only 17% of Americans offer a positive review of current economic conditions, calling them excellent or good, and even fewer -- just 10% -- believe conditions are getting better.
Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 45% ... Two days after Barack Obama declared victory over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic delegate contest, he remains locked in a statistical tie (46% to 45%, respectively) with John McCain in the presidential preferences of national registered voters.
Gallup Daily: Obama Gets Slight Bounce With Clinton as VP ... A slight majority of Democrats (52%) say that Barack Obama should choose Hillary Clinton as his Democratic running mate. Further, a hypothetical Obama-Clinton ticket leads John McCain 50% to 45%, while a matchup that does not mention her results in a tie.
PollTalk Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:11:11 GMT
Searching for Truth: Even "Trends" Are Problematic ... The percentage of people who are satisfied with their jobs cannot be precisely determined, because the measure can be affected by question wording and placement in a questionnaire. But measuring opinion over time is no panacea. Even trends can give fuzzy results.
Overcoming Objections ... Respondents are generally less likely to say they would "object" to being called for an interview than they are to say they are "not willing" to be called. But not always …
When Good Pollsters Do Bad Polls … ... A partisan organization is using the results of a recent Ipsos poll to argue that a "solid plurality" of Americans want President Bush impeached. But the poll results do not support that conclusion. Ipsos, as well as any polling organization in that situation, should take steps to protect its reputation and that of the polling industry.
Estimating Public Involvement: The Case of Roberts, Miers ... Two methods for measuring the public's engagement in the Supreme Court nomination process yield quite different assessments: either 66% of Americans say the nominations matter highly to them, or 47% make that claim. The latter is probably the more accurate measure of how much people care specifically about John Roberts or Harriet Miers.
"Succeeding" in Iraq ... The attempt to identify a "key" attitude that will explain and predict support for the war in Iraq is well-intentioned, but probably futile.
"Logically Inconsistent" Responses ... More conservatives say the Unites States "will" win the war in Iraq than say the United States "can" win. Some observers suggest that this means conservatives are "logically inconsistent." I have a different take.
Issue Framing in Polls ... Two polls find apparently contradictory results on whether U.S. troops should stay in Iraq. The culprit: how the issue is framed. But the two polls also find similarities in other results despite different question wording, suggesting a solid public consensus.
Telling Respondents What They "Need" to Know ... Different polls found different levels of support for removing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube -- a low of 52% by Gallup to a high of 66% by a CBS News poll. The differences appear to be related to how much information pollsters gave to respondents.
The Salience of Terri Schiavo ... In the days following congressional efforts to keep Terri Schiavo alive, three polls attempted to measure how closely the public was following the news about her. The results: 56% of Americans were following the story "very" or "somewhat" closely, according to an ABC News poll, 66% according to Gallup, and 76% according to CBS News. These are not trivial differences.
Permissive Opinion on ANWR Leads to Potential Volatility ... Results from a new Gallup survey suggest that more than a third of Americans have a "permissive opinion" on oil exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which means they would not be upset if oil exploration did or did not take place in that area. Still, that leaves close to two-thirds of Americans with an intense view on the matter.
Daily Briefing
Gallup Election Week in Review ... Editor in Chief Frank Newport discusses five key points relating to where the election stands this week.
Mongolians Distrust Government and Elections ... With parliamentary elections being held this week, Gallup reveals that relatively few Mongolians have confidence in their current government (37%) or the honesty of elections (21%).
Americans Trust McCain's Military Ability ... Americans are more likely to have confidence in John McCain than Barack Obama to send troops into combat and to handle the responsibilities of commander in chief.
Obama vs. McCain, Issue by Issue ... Americans currently put more faith in Barack Obama than John McCain to do a good job on energy, the economy, healthcare, and taxes, but say McCain would do a better job than Obama on terrorism.
Palestinians Likely Approve Aid for Institutions ... As world leaders meet to discuss how to bolster the Palestinian police force and judicial system, Gallup reveals that fewer than half of Palestinians are confident in these institutions.
Sinking Confidence in U.S. Banks ... Americans' confidence in banks has dropped nine percentage points since June 2007 and more than any other institution in the survey.
In U.S., Military Ranks Best, Congress Worst ... Of 16 institutions, Americans express the most confidence in the military (71%) and the least in Congress (12%).
Italy Bill Could Cast Corruption Worries Aside ... Italy's prime minister says he wants to suspend trials for nonviolent crimes committed before 2002, including his own corruption case, for the good of all Italian citizens. But 80% of Italians believe that corruption is widespread throughout their government.
U.S. Consumer Mood Unaffected by Tax Rebates ... Americans who have received a tax rebate are just as pessimistic about the economy and worried about money as those who have not yet received a rebate.
Lebanese May Be Wary of U.S. Support ... U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made an unannounced trip to Lebanon this week to express the United States' support for democracy in the country. In 2006, 69% of Lebanese did not think the United States was serious about developing a democracy in their country.
Age a Key Indicator of Preference for President ... Barack Obama currently holds a strong lead among registered voters in their teens, 20s, and 30s, while John McCain leads among voters in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Obama and McCain are tied among voters in their 40s.
Gas Prices Hurting Americans Beyond the Pump ... The rising price of gasoline is not only affecting Americans' driving habits, but 11% say it is causing them to have little or no disposable income, and 9% say that it is hurting them financially.
Gallup Glance Around the Globe ... Data-driven insights into potential U.S. action against Iran, Britain's new sanctions on Iran, the continuing conflict over Israeli settlements, and terror threats in the United Arab Emirates..
Americans Say Bush Failing on Energy Problems ... A large majority of Americans (78%) say that President Bush is not doing enough to solve the country's energy problems.
Obama Leading Among Independents ... Barack Obama now holds a statistically significant edge over John McCain, 46% to 39%, among independents nationally, but neither candidate commands complete loyalty from his respective party.
U.S. Eyes Mexico's Drug Trafficking Problem ... As the U.S. Congress debates a bill that would help fund anti-drug trafficking efforts in Mexico, Gallup reveals that in 2007, 38% of Mexicans said there is illicit drug trafficking or drug sales in the area where they live.
Obama Shows Gains Among Women ... Barack Obama now leads John McCain by 13 percentage points among women nationally, more than doubling the 5-point advantage he posted just prior to Hillary Clinton's departure from the race.
Ireland Debates Economic Effects of EU Treaty ... As of 2006, 90% of Irish citizens surveyed thought their country's economy was good, but some now fear that a treaty seeking to reform how the European Union is run could have repercussions for Ireland's economy.
Bush Trip Highlights U.S.-Europe Divide ... As U.S. President George W. Bush makes his way through Europe, Gallup reveals that while the nations he is visiting view U.S. leadership very poorly, Americans do not reciprocate that same negativity.
In U.S., 28% Say Their Kids Will Be Worse Off ... While 45% of Americans expect their children's standard of living to be better than theirs is now, 28% expect it to be worse.
Africans Support Advancement for Women ... As leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa concentrate on finding ways to empower women in Africa, Gallup reveals findings from seven African nations that show there is strong support for women's rights in the region.
Democrats Weigh In On Unity Ticket ... With their nominee now determined, a slight majority of Democrats (52%) say Barack Obama should choose Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential running mate.
How Their Support Breaks Down ... Among registered voters nationwide, Barack Obama currently has a significant advantage among black voters and those aged 18 to 29, while John McCain garners more support from older voters and those in the South.
Obama, McCain Backers Echo Campaign Themes ... When asked why they want their candidate of choice to win the election, Barack Obama and John McCain supports say "change" and "experience," respectively, are their No. 1 reasons.
Venezuela Law Asks Judiciary to Answer to Gov't ... Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has enacted a new 'spy' law that opposition groups claim will threaten judicial independence. In December of 2006, 54% of Venezuelans surveyed said they had confidence in their judicial system.