2011 Publications

Little Change in Public’s Response to ‘Capitalism,’ ‘Socialism’

A Political Rhetoric Test

2011: A Year of Big Stories Both Foreign and Domestic

In 2007, Mood Just Beginning to Sour, Democrats Better Regarded

Public Opinion Four Years Ago

Tax System Seen as Unfair, in Need of Overhaul

Wealthy Not Paying Fair Share Top Complaint

Frustration with Congress Could Hurt Republican Incumbents

GOP Base Critical of Party's Washington Leadership

Top One-Word Reactions to GOP Frontrunners

Among Republicans, More Positives for Gingrich than Romney

Public Focuses on Elections, Economy and Penn State

Gingrich Leads, But Likely GOP Primary Voters Have Not Ruled Out Romney

Tepid Support for Both Leading Candidates

For Gingrich, Age May Just Be a Number

Many Fewer Hearing Mostly Bad Economic News

Half Say News about Retail Sales is Mostly Good

Illegal Immigration: Gaps Between and Within Parties

Public Split Over In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

Nomination Race Hurting GOP, But Not Helping Obama

An ‘Iron Hand’ Is No Substitute For Democracy

By Madeleine Albright and Andrew Kohut, special to the Financial Times

Modest Rise in Number Saying There Is ‘Solid Evidence’ of Global Warming

More Moderate Republicans See Evidence of Warming

More Now Disagree with Tea Party – Even in Tea Party Districts

Romney’s Mormon Faith Likely a Factor in Primaries, Not in a General Election

Religion and the 2012 Election

Deficit ‘Super Committee’ Draws Little Attention

Penn State Scandal Again Tops Public's News Interest

Obama Job Approval Improves, GOP Contest Remains Fluid

Continued Lackluster Ratings for Republican Field

Fewer Hearing Mostly Bad News about Economy

Penn State Scandal Tops Public's News Interest

Partisan Divide Over Alternative Energy Widens

Republicans View Gov't Energy Investments as Unnecessary

Campaign News Draws More Coverage than Interest

Republicans More Likely to View Cain Coverage as 'Too Tough'

39% Think Cain Allegations True, 24% False

Cain Coverage, on Balance, Seen as Fair

What the Public Knows – In Words and Pictures

The Generation Gap and the 2012 Election

Public Closely Tracking Economic and Political News

Little Interest in Libya, European Debt Crisis

Modest Interest in Gadhafi Death, Iraq Withdrawal

Half See 2012 Campaign as 'Dull,' 'Too Long'

Public Divided Over Occupy Wall Street Movement

Tea Party Draws More Opposition than Support

Growing Attention to Wall Street Protests

Cain's Visibility Surges

Public and Occupy Wall Street Movement Agree on Key Issues

By Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center. Special to the New York Times.

Top One-Word Reaction to Cain Is a Number: 9-9-9

More Negative than Positive Words for Perry – Even Among Republicans

A Third in GOP Have Seen a Presidential Debate

Most See Debates as Helpful

Wall Street Protests Receive Limited Attention

Public Remains Focused on Economic Conditions

Strong on Defense and Israel, Tough on China

Tea Party and Foreign Policy

Obama Motivates Supporters, Opponents in Early 2012 Matchups

Cain Gaining Ground in GOP Primary

GOP Candidates Hardly Household Names

Interest and Coverage On Par with 2008 Campaign

No Consensus About Whether Nation Is Divided Into ‘Haves’ and ‘Have-Nots’

Economy Again Top Story for Public and News Media

Racial Divide in Interest in Troy Davis Execution

Obama Draws More Confidence than GOP Leaders on Deficit

Most Support Raising Taxes on High Incomes to Reduce Deficit

Press Widely Criticized, But Trusted More than Other Information Sources

Views of the News Media: 1985-2011

Economic Stories Top Public Interest and Coverage

Many Aware of GOP Debate Fights: Ponzi Schemes and Vaccines

Palestinian Statehood: Mixed Views, Low Visibility

Public Still Sympathizes More with Israel

9/11 Commemorations Capture Public Attention

Rick Perry Most Visible Among GOP Contenders

More Now See GOP as Very Conservative

Views of Parties' Ideologies

Libya: Steady Views, Declining Interest

Jobs vs. Deficit — Where the Public Stands

Irene Aftermath Top Story for Public, Media

61% Hearing Mostly Bad News About Economy

Few See Job Proposals Having Much Effect

Jobs Top Deficit by Two-to-One as Leading Economic Worry

Most Plan to Watch Obama Jobs Speech

Early Republican Debate Draws Strong GOP Interest

United in Remembrance, Divided over Policies

Ten Years after 9/11

Hurricane Irene Top Story for Public

Libya: Heavy Coverage, Little Interest

Muslim Americans: No Signs of Growth in Alienation or Support for Extremism

Mainstream and Moderate Attitudes

Obama Leadership Image Takes a Hit, GOP Ratings Decline

Continued Dissatisfaction with Republican Field

Troubled Economy Top Story for Public and Media

Growing Interest in 2012 Campaign News

Deadly Afghanistan Crash Tops Public’s News Interest

Most Angered by Economic News

Number Hearing Mostly Bad Economic News Soars

Democrats Not Eager for an Obama Challenger

Views of Tea Party Supporters in Congress Grow More Negative

Attention to Debt Debate Grew Steadily in July

20% of Tea Party Republicans Contacted Lawmakers

Public Sees Budget Negotiations as “Ridiculous”, “Disgusting”, “Stupid”

Leaders’ Images Tarnished

Obama Loses Ground in 2012 Reelection Bid

In GOP, Romney Leads, Attentive Like Perry, Bachmann Most Visible

Debt Stalemate Top Story, But No Surge in Public Interest

Many Say Illegal Tactics by U.K. Media Likely Also Used Here

Public Wants a Debt Ceiling Compromise, Expects a Deal Before Deadline

GOP Widely Viewed as 'More Extreme in Its Positions'

GOP Makes Big Gains among White Voters

Especially among the Young and Poor

Debt Limit Fight Tops News Interest, Coverage

Public Sees Debt Debate as Important, Hard to Understand

Obama Draws More Confidence than Boehner, McConnell or Cantor on Debt Ceiling

Public Split Evenly on Urgency of Debt Limit Debate

The Debt Ceiling Showdown – Where the Public Stands

Casey Anthony Verdict Top Story for Public and Social Networkers

No Improvement in Views of Economic News

Public Now Divided on Debt Limit Debate

Default Concerns Rise among Independents

Interest in Campaign News On Par With 2007

No Partisan Gap in Attention to Campaign's Early Stage

Public Wants Changes in Entitlements, Not Changes in Benefits

GOP Divided Over Benefit Reductions

Are Republicans Ready Now for a Mormon President?

Majority Sees U.S. Leadership in Space as Essential

Shuttle Program Viewed as Good Investment

U.S. Seen as Among the Greatest Nations, But Not Superior to All Others

America's Global Standing

Four Years After Walter Reed, Government Still Faulted for Troop Support

Growing Concern over Vets' Financial Issues, PTSD

Economy, Afghanistan Top News Interest, Coverage

Little Change in Views of Obama’s Approach for Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

Pessimism About National Economy Rises, Personal Financial Views Hold Steady

Obama Job Rating Declines

Economy, Weiner Top Public’s News Interests

Romney Most Visible GOP Candidate

Record Number Favors Removing U.S. Troops from Afghanistan

More Say GOP Would Be Mainly Responsible If No Increase In Debt Limit

Ideological Chasm Over Interpreting Constitution

More from the Political Typology

In Shift from Bush Era, More Conservatives Say “Come Home, America”

Public Focused on Economy, Media on Weiner Scandal

Most See Too Much Coverage of Weiner, Palin

Most Say Political Sex Scandals Due to Greater Scrutiny, Not Lower Morality

Views of Middle East Unchanged by Recent Events

Public Remains Wary of Global Engagement

Number Hearing “Mostly Bad” Economic News Highest Since March 2009

Most Visible Possible GOP Candidates: Romney, Palin

More Blame Wars than Domestic Spending or Tax Cuts for Nation’s Debt

Jobs Are Top Economic Worry, Deficit Concerns Rise

Opposition to Ryan Medicare Plan from Older, Attentive Americans

Republican Candidates Stir Little Enthusiasm

Candidate Traits: D.C. Experience Viewed Less Positively

Midwest Tornadoes Top Story for Public and Press

Top Reaction to GOP Field – “Unimpressed”

‘Staunch Conservatives’ Are Wary of Wall Street

More from the Political Typology

Public Stays with bin Laden Story; Media Focus Shifts

Most Aware of Schwarzenegger Admission

More Concern about Raising Debt Limit than Government Default

Interest in bin Laden Now Tops News Coverage

Economic News Still Viewed as a Mix of Good and Bad

When Private Lives Become Public

By Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center. Special to the New York Times

Most Say Homosexuality Should Be Accepted By Society

Bush Lost Battle Over the Surplus, But Won Tax Cut War

Public Opinion History

Death of bin Laden: More Coverage than Interest

Many Say Osama Story Overcovered

Obama Bump Recedes a Bit

Why Are Gas Prices Rising? A Mix of Reasons

How We Identified Your Group

Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology

Too Much Coverage: Birth Certificate, Royal Wedding

More Optimism about Afghanistan, But No Boost in Support for Troop Presence

Public “Relieved” By bin Laden’s Death, Obama’s Job Approval Rises

Modest Interest in Run-Up to Royal Wedding

But Many Older Women Plan to Watch

Deficit: More Concern, Less Optimism

Trump Most Visible Among Possible GOP Contenders

Most View News about Deficit as Unchanging

The Deficit Debate – Where the Public Stands

Public Follows Both Japan, Shutdown Fight Closely

Media shifts to Washington Budget Battle

Budget Negotiations in a Word – “Ridiculous”

All Sides Blamed After Close Call on Government Shutdown

Civil War at 150: Still Relevant, Still Divisive

Tea Party: Better Known, Less Popular

More Negative Views Among Independents, Moderate Republicans

Economic Views Sag, Obama Rating Slips

Pocketbook Concerns: Prices Matter More than Jobs

Public Sees Better News about Jobs, But Not Prices

Japan Disaster Still Dominates Public's News Interest

Goal of Libyan Operation Less Clear to Public

Top Middle East Priority: Preventing Terrorism

Public Would Blame Both Sides if Government Shuts Down

Tea Party Reps Say Stand on Principle Even If It Means a Shutdown

Well Known: Clinton and Gadhafi; Little Known: Who Controls Congress

Political Knowledge Update

Public Stays Focused on Japan as Media Turns to Libya

2011: The Year of Foreign News

Modest Support for Libya Airstrikes, No Clear Goal Seen

Little Public Interest in Libyan Mission

Obama Tests Well at Start of Reelection Run

No Frontrunner in Slow-Starting GOP Race

Most Are Attentive to News About Disaster in Japan

Public Focuses on Crisis at Nuclear Plants

Opposition to Nuclear Power Rises Amid Japanese Crisis

Support for Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling Rebounds

Republicans Are Losing Ground on the Deficit, But Obama’s Not Gaining

Rising Prices Close in on Jobs as Top Economic Worry

Strong Public Interest in Japan Disaster

Public Wary of Military Intervention in Libya

Broad Concern that U.S. Military is Overcommitted

The Elusive 90% Solution

Continuing Divide in Views of Islam and Violence

Most See Role for Government in Reducing Childhood Obesity

Conservative Republicans, Tea Party Supporters Disagree

As Gas Prices Spike, More See Economic News as Bad

Most Also Hearing Bad News About Food Prices

Who’s Winning the Fight Over Public-Employee Unions?

by Scott Keeter, Director of Survey Research, Pew Research Center Special to the Washington Post

Fewer Are Angry at Government, But Discontent Remains High

Republicans, Tea Party Supporters More Mellow

Rising Oil Prices Big News for American Public

Many Tracking Union Fight in Wisconsin, Violence in Libya

More Side with Wisconsin Unions than Governor

Obama, GOP Leaders Would Share Blame in Gov't Shutdown

Public Favors Tougher Border Controls and Path to Citizenship

Little Change in Immigration Views

Global Trouble Spots Top Public’s News Interests

Strong Focus on Asia, Less Interest in Europe

Public Still Focused on Egypt as Coverage Fades

Many Keep Watch on State, Federal Budget Debates

In Showdown with Air Traffic Controllers, the Public Sided with Reagan

Public Opinion History

Labor Unions Seen as Good for Workers, Not U.S. Competitiveness

Unions' Favorability Still Low, But Mirrors Business Rating

Interest in Egypt News Surges as Mubarak Departs

2012 Campaign Off to a Slow Start

Public Remains Divided Over the Patriot Act

Tea Party’s Hard Line on Spending Divides GOP

Fewer Want Spending to Grow, But Most Cuts Remain Unpopular

Changing Views of Federal Spending

Public Now More Focused on Egypt, but Coverage Far Surpasses Interest

Most Hearing Bad News about Gas Prices

No Consensus on How Egypt Protests Will Affect U.S.

Administration Gets Positive Marks for Handling Protests

Historically, Public Has Given Low Priority to Promoting Democracy Overseas

Limited Public Interest in Egyptian Protests

Turmoil Draws Extensive Media Coverage

Tucson Rampage Still Top Story for Public

Hu Jintao's Visit Draws Far More Coverage than Interest

Most Intend to Watch Obama’s State of the Union

Speech Not Seen as More Important than Past Addresses

Economy Dominates Public’s Agenda, Dims Hopes for the Future

Less Optimism about America's Long-Term Prospects

No Shift Toward Gun Control After Tucson Shootings

Most Point to Troubled Individuals, Not Broader Societal Problems

Arizona Rampage Dominates Public’s News Interest

Bipartisan Praise for Obama Memorial Speech

Views of Gun Control — A Detailed Demographic Breakdown

Friend or Foe? How Americans See China

by Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center
Special to The Wall Street Journal

Obama’s Job Ratings, Personal Image Unchanged by Recent Washington Events

Strengthen Ties with China, But Get Tough on Trade

Public's Global Focus Turns from Europe to Asia

Economic News Seen as Less Negative

High Early Interest in Giffords Shooting

Press Coverage and Public Interest: Matches and Mismatches

Internet Gains on Television as Public’s Main News Source

More Young People Cite Internet than TV