USA http://www.gallup.com/ http://backend.userland.com/rss Gallup WebTeam Americans view Secretary of Defense Robert Gates positively to the extent they are familiar with him. Forty-nine percent have a favorable opinion of Gates, with 19% unfavorable and 33% unsure. Though Gates is a Republican, Democrats view him more favorably than Republicans. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124175/Americans-Mostly-Favorable-Defense-Secretary-Gates.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124175/Americans-Mostly-Favorable-Defense-Secretary-Gates.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:15:00 GMT Flu cases in the U.S. continue to tick higher, with an average of 2.7% of adults in October reporting that they were “sick with the flu yesterday,” compared to 1.9% in September and 2.0% in October 2008. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124118/Self-Reported-Flu-Cases-U.S.-Up-Slightly-October.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124118/Self-Reported-Flu-Cases-U.S.-Up-Slightly-October.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT In October, an average of 2.7% American adults reported that they were "sick with the flu yesterday," up from 1.9% in September. At the same time, an average of 7.7% adults reported having a cold, up from 5.4% in September. http://www.gallup.com/video/124142/Uptick-Reported-Flu-Cold-Cases.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124142/Uptick-Reported-Flu-Cold-Cases.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Job-market conditions improved in October, driven by improvements in the South and the East, with hiring up and layoffs down in both regions. Still, the job situation is unchanged in the Midwest and West. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124109/Gallup-Economic-Monthly-October-Jobs-Best-South-East.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124109/Gallup-Economic-Monthly-October-Jobs-Best-South-East.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:15:00 GMT Republicans give Mike Huckabee (71%) an edge over Mitt Romney (65%) and Sarah Palin (65%) when asked if they would seriously consider voting for each as president. Huckabee and Romney have greater appeal to the broader public, though only 4 in 10 Americans say they would consider voting for either. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124097/Huckabee-Romney-Palin-See-Most-Republican-Support-12.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124097/Huckabee-Romney-Palin-See-Most-Republican-Support-12.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT About 7 out of 10 Republicans (71%) say they would seriously consider supporting Mike Huckabee for president in 2012, putting him tops on the list of likely contenders though just slightly ahead of Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin. http://www.gallup.com/video/124100/GOP-candidates-2012.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124100/GOP-candidates-2012.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT More Americans now say President Barack Obama is governing from the left (54%) than expected him to do so just after the election (43%). Less than half (48%) currently think he is keeping his promises -- down from two-thirds (65%) in April. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124094/Majority-Say-Obama-Policies-Mostly-Liberal.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124094/Majority-Say-Obama-Policies-Mostly-Liberal.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT One year after electing Barack Obama president, Americans are less optimistic he can achieve eight key goals measured by Gallup. However, majorities are still hopeful about four of the eight goals. http://www.gallup.com/video/124091/Americans-Less-Optimistic-Obama-Achieve-Key-Goals.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124091/Americans-Less-Optimistic-Obama-Achieve-Key-Goals.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15:00 GMT The U.S. political climate heading into 2010 is not as favorable to the Democratic Party as it was in 2006 and 2008. Though Democrats continue to have an edge in party affiliation and President Obama retains majority approval, congressional approval and satisfaction with the U.S. are low. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124076/Political-Climate-2010-Not-Favorable-Democrats.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124076/Political-Climate-2010-Not-Favorable-Democrats.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans are much less sure than they were a year ago at the time of his election that President Barack Obama will be able to accomplish a number of challenges facing his administration. In particular, far fewer Americans believe he will be able to heal political divisions and control federal spending. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124085/One-Year-Election-Americans-Less-Sure-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124085/One-Year-Election-Americans-Less-Sure-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:30:00 GMT Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data from 2009 document the extent to which people who exercise more frequently have higher well-being. Exercise relates not only to lower rates of obesity, but also to higher life evaluation and emotional health scores and lower rates of reported depression. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124073/Exercise-Little-Goes-Long.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124073/Exercise-Little-Goes-Long.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:45:00 GMT Halloween may have buoyed consumer spirits as Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index, Job Creation Index, and Consumer Spending measure all rebounded from prior- week declines -- returning to or nearing their best levels of the past several weeks and reflecting the variability of today’s consumer economic perceptions. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124064/Gallup-Economic-Weekly-Halloween-Raises-Spirits.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124064/Gallup-Economic-Weekly-Halloween-Raises-Spirits.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Gallup’s Job Creation Index increased to +3 last week, closing in on its high for the year. Gallup's Economic Confidence and Consumer Spending measures also improved compared with the prior week. http://www.gallup.com/video/124031/Weekly-Economic-Insights-2009.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124031/Weekly-Economic-Insights-2009.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Close to half of black adults nationwide, 47%, say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S., up from 10% in mid-2008. There has been a much smaller increase among whites -- now 22%, up from 15%. Even among Democrats, blacks show a greater increase than whites in satisfaction. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124037/Blacks-Far-More-Satisfied-U.S.-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124037/Blacks-Far-More-Satisfied-U.S.-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:00 GMT With the 2010 congressional elections now one year way, Gallup Editor in Chief Frank Newport discusses the key indicators to watch. http://www.gallup.com/video/124007/Editor-Chief-Insights-Watch-2010.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124007/Editor-Chief-Insights-Watch-2010.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT The Democrats’ 46% to 44% advantage on the generic ballot suggests a solid Republican showing if the midterm elections were held today, assuming a typical GOP advantage in turnout. Even far in advance of the elections, the generic ballot has proven to yield reasonable insight into the U.S. House vote. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124010/Generic-Ballot-Provides-Clues-2010-Vote.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124010/Generic-Ballot-Provides-Clues-2010-Vote.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Utah and South Dakota residents are the most likely to express trust in their neighbors, in terms of saying they would expect a neighbor to return a lost wallet or purse, according to an aggregate of Gallup data from the first six months of 2009. Nevada and Mississippi residents express the least trust. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123986/Utah-South-Dakota-Best-Places-Lose-Wallet.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123986/Utah-South-Dakota-Best-Places-Lose-Wallet.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT As the White House claims 640,000 jobs have been saved or created by the economic stimulus package, Gallup finds American workers reporting slightly more hiring at their companies since July, but no increase in the percentage who say it is a good time to find a quality job. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124004/Despite-Positive-Signs-Americans-Negative-Job-Market.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124004/Despite-Positive-Signs-Americans-Negative-Job-Market.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:15:00 GMT Americans are closely divided on healthcare reform, meaning that public opinion offers no real political advantage to either champions or opponents of the idea. That said, a review of Gallup polls conducted throughout the debate reveals five realities crucial to understanding public opinion on this issue. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123989/Americans-Healthcare-Reform-Five-Key-Realities.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123989/Americans-Healthcare-Reform-Five-Key-Realities.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT Joseph Coughlin, Ph.D., named by The Wall Street Journal as one of America's 12 pioneers inventing the future of retirement and aging, asserts that everyday complexities of life can be the greatest barrier to individual well-being. In this segment of Gallup's special series, "Next Steps: Transforming Americans' Health and Well-Being," Coughlin how employers can engage workers in wellness and integrate emerging technologies. http://www.gallup.com/video/123905/Engaging-Employees-Wellness.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/123905/Engaging-Employees-Wellness.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT Investors remain slightly optimistic overall in October, but the Gallup Index of Investor Optimism -- a broad measure of investor perceptions -- shows investor optimism retreating slightly from September and falling back to its August level. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123938/Investor-Optimism-Down-Slightly-October.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123938/Investor-Optimism-Down-Slightly-October.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT One year after Barack Obama’s election, Americans’ views on race relations and job discrimination against blacks are not significantly improved over what Gallup has measured in the past. Blacks remain substantially more negative than whites on both measures. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123944/Little-Obama-Effect-Views-Race-Relations.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123944/Little-Obama-Effect-Views-Race-Relations.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT A majority of Americans, 55%, have at least a fair amount of trust in President Barack Obama on healthcare reform, compared with 48% expressing trust in the Democrats in Congress and 37% trusting the Republicans in Congress. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123917/On-Healthcare-Americans-Trust-Obama-More-Than-Congress.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123917/On-Healthcare-Americans-Trust-Obama-More-Than-Congress.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:15:00 GMT More Americans choose the economy (41%) than any other issue as the top priority for Barack Obama, but that is down sharply from last November (64%). By contrast, the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the federal budget deficit, and healthcare have grown in perceived importance over the past year. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123899/Americans-Priorities-Vying-Obama-Attention.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123899/Americans-Priorities-Vying-Obama-Attention.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT While Americans are still most likely to say that the economy should be Obama’s top priority as president (41%), that is down from the 64% who said the same in November of last year. http://www.gallup.com/video/123908/Fewer-Americans-Economy-Top-Priority-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/123908/Fewer-Americans-Economy-Top-Priority-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT