Mississippi Most Conservative State, D.C. Most Liberal
State patterns in ideology largely stable compared with previous years
February 3, 2012
Mississippi, Utah, Wyoming, and Alabama are the four most conservative states in the U.S., each with 50% or more of its population identifying as conservative. The District of Columbia and Massachusetts are the most liberal states.
More States Move to GOP in 2011
Seventeen states solidly or leaning Republican, up from 10 in 2010
February 2, 2012
Seventeen states showed a Republican advantage in party affiliation of at least five points in 2011, up from 10 in 2010 and 5 in 2008. Meanwhile, 19 states including D.C. showed a similar Democratic advantage, with 15 competitive.
Republicans, Democrats Favor Tax Breaks to Win Back U.S. Jobs
Independents tend to favor each of five specific economic proposals
February 1, 2012
Republicans and Democrats find rare agreement on giving tax breaks to businesses that bring jobs back from overseas and pressuring China for fairer trade. Independents tend to favor all five proposals Gallup asked about.
Obama Approval Above 50% in 10 States and D.C. in 2011
District of Columbia, Hawaii most approving; Utah, Idaho, least
January 31, 2012
President Obama's job approval rating exceeded the majority level in 10 states plus the District of Columbia in 2011. His ratings were highest in D.C., Hawaii, and Maryland, and lowest in Utah and Idaho, and declined in most states.
Obama Ratings Historically Polarized
Job approval 80% among Democrats, 12% among Republicans
January 27, 2012
Barack Obama's approval ratings averaged 80% among Democrats and 12% among Republicans his third year in office -- a gap of 68 points. That level of polarization is the same as in his second year, and the fourth highest on record.
Politics News Video
GALLUP DAILY: POLITICS
Weekly averages
Obama Job Approval
Jan 30-Feb 5, 2012 – Updates Tuesdays at 1 p.m. ET; reflects one-week change
Interactive Features
Election 2012
Where the U.S. Election Stands Now
February 6, 2012
Gallup editors review the key indicators that are likely to determine the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, putting the current data into historical context.
Romney Now Leads Gingrich, 31% to 26%
February 1, 2012
Mitt Romney has moved ahead of Newt Gingrich in national Republican voters' preferences for the 2012 GOP nomination, 31% to 26%, according to Gallup Daily tracking from Jan. 27-31.
Obama Approval Highest in D.C., Lowest in Utah
February 1, 2012
Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals the states where residents were most approving and least approving of President Obama in 2011.
Economy
U.S. Consumer Spending Declined in January, as Is Typical
February 3, 2012
Americans' self-reported retail spending dropped by a predictable amount in January compared with December, as consumers pulled back from their elevated spending levels over the holiday season.
Opinion Briefing: Confidence Deficit in the EU
February 2, 2012
Europeans' and Americans' confidence in their financial institutions has followed a similar trajectory throughout the global economic crisis, suggesting a strong link between the two struggling economies.
U.S. Unemployment Up, to 8.6% in January
February 2, 2012
U.S. unemployment, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, increased slightly to 8.6% in January from 8.5% in December. Underemployment increased more sharply as a higher number of part-time workers sought full-time work.
Wellbeing
Northern Ireland Boasts Best Wellbeing in UK
January 31, 2012
Northern Ireland residents have higher overall wellbeing than those in England, Scotland, or Wales. This is due to their better life ratings, workplace perceptions, and access to basic needs. However, the nation's health habits lag.
Germans' Life Ratings Decline Slightly Amid Eurozone Crisis
January 31, 2012
Germans were slightly less positive about their lives in 2011 than they were in 2010. Their emotional wellbeing also worsened somewhat last year.
U.S. Financial Worries Rival Those of 1992
January 25, 2012
Americans' worries about losing a job, maintaining their standard of living, and paying medical bills are near the highs Gallup has measured in the last two decades, and similar to what they were during the 1991-1992 economic downturn.
