Government

Obama Honeymoon Continues; 7 Months Is Recent Average

Earlier honeymoons lasted an average of 26 months

July 3, 2009

Barack Obama’s recent job approval ratings have hovered around 60%. Since they remain above the historical average of 55% approval, he is arguably still in the honeymoon phase of his presidency. Recent presidents have averaged just seven months above this benchmark, much less than those from 1945-1974.More ...

In U.S., Most Say Post-9/11 Security Measures Still Needed

July 2, 2009

Eighty-three percent of Americans say that the security measures put in place after Sept. 11 that were aimed at preventing terrorist attacks are generally still needed and 14% say many could be dropped.

Americans Expect Security in Iraq to Worsen After Pullout

While 58% say security will worsen, only 27% expect it to get “a lot” worse

July 2, 2009

A majority of Americans (58%) expect security in Iraq to worsen now that U.S. forces are leaving major cities and towns there and turning security over to the Iraqis. However, only 27% say security will get a lot worse. Most doubt the U.S. will fully withdraw, as agreed upon, by the end of 2011.More ...

Many in Honduras Saw Political Situation as Unstable

In 2008, 29% said the country was headed toward a military coup d’etat

June 30, 2009

As political turmoil grips Honduras, a Gallup Poll survey reveals that 47% of Hondurans perceived their political situation as unstable in September 2008. About one in two respondents said government was most responsible for the country’s political tensions.More ...

Main U.S. Political Parties Seen by Many as Too Extreme

June 30, 2009

Forty-two percent of Americans say the political views of the Democratic Party are "about right," more than the 34% who say the same about the Republican Party.

More Americans See Democratic Party as “Too Liberal”

More believe Democratic Party’s, rather than Republican Party’s, views are about right

June 30, 2009

Currently, 46% of Americans say the Democratic Party is “too liberal,” up from 39% last year and slightly more than the 43% who say the Republican Party is “too conservative.” Still, more Americans say the Democrats’ views are “about right” (42%) than say this about the Republicans (34%).More ...

Americans OK With Fewer Mail Days to Fix Postal Budget

Most oppose raising stamp prices and cutting postal services to solve budget woes

June 26, 2009

With the U.S. Postal Service billions of dollars in the red, 66% of Americans give the green light to dropping mail delivery from six days a week to five -- just one of many proposed fixes. However, 6 in 10 oppose raising stamp prices and nearly 9 in 10 object to closing their local post office.More ...

Sharp Differences in Partisan Views of Economic Problems

Republicans much more worried about regulation, taxes, and the deficit than are Democrats

June 26, 2009

There are sharp differences in the way Democrats and Republicans view economic issues facing the country today; Republicans are much more likely to worry about taxes and federal control of business, while Democrats worry more about health insurance and unemployment.More ...

Congress’ Approval Rating Drops to 33%

Lowest since February, but still up from last year

June 23, 2009

Americans’ approval of the job Congress is doing has slipped to 33% this month, down from the recent high of 39% in March, but still significantly higher than job approval ratings of Congress over the last several years.More ...