2012 Publications

Timeline: Hillary Clinton’s Career

Hillary Clinton’s Career of Comebacks

Timeline: Top News Stories of 2012

Election, Tragedies Dominate Top Stories of 2012

After Newtown, Modest Change in Opinion about Gun Control

Most Say Assault Weapons Make Nation More Dangerous

Continued Pessimism about Fiscal Cliff Deal

Public Divided over What Newtown Signifies

Parents Shield Young Children from News Coverage

Pew Research Year in Review

Public Attitudes Toward Gun Control

Pew Research Center Data Note

Public Says U.S. Does Not Have Responsibility to Act in Syria

Israel Support Unchanged in Wake of Gaza Conflict

As Fiscal Cliff Nears, Democrats Have Public Opinion on Their Side

Record Number Sees Country as More Politically Divided

Pessimism About Fiscal Cliff Deal, Republicans Still Get More Blame

Young Voters Supported Obama Less, But May Have Mattered More

More Following ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Debate than Petraeus Investigation

One-Word Reactions to Petraeus: 'Surprise,' 'Disappointment'

Low Marks for the 2012 Election

Voters Pessimistic About Partisan Cooperation

Pew Research’s Record on the Popular Vote

Lessons from the 2012 Election

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

Broad Concern about ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Consequences

Public Is Skeptical Deal Will Be Reached

Behind Gay Marriage Momentum, Regional Gaps Persist

Two-to-One Support in New England, Opposition in South

No Consensus View on Election Outcome

Pew Research Flash Election Reaction Monitor

A Comparison of Results from Surveys by the Pew Research Center and Google Consumer Surveys

Changing Face of America Helps Assure Obama Victory

More Interest in Hurricane Sandy than Election

Most Hearing Mixed Economic News on Eve of Election

Graphic: The Final Days of Campaign 2012

Obama Gains Edge in Campaign’s Final Days

Obama 50% - Romney 47%

Nonvoters: Who They Are, What They Think

In Deadlocked Race, Neither Side Has Ground Game Advantage

Early Voting Also Tied

Presidential Race Dead Even; Romney Maintains Turnout Edge

Obama 47%-Romney 47%

Storify: Public Opinion on Foreign Policy

Republicans Increasingly Positive About Campaign

Democrats' Views Little Changed Since September

On Eve of Foreign Debate, Growing Pessimism about Arab Spring Aftermath

Public Favors Tough U.S. Stance on Iran, China

Storify: Pew Research Center & Campaign 2012

Voters Divided Over Who Will Win Second Debate

Neither Candidate Viewed as Too Personally Critical

More Say There Is Solid Evidence of Global Warming

Deep Divisions over Debt Reduction Proposals

Broad Support for Photo ID Voting Requirements

One-in-Ten ‘Dual-Screened’ the Presidential Debate

TV Trumps Digital Sources for Debate Coverage

Public Less Negative About Economic News

Views of Job News Improve Across Partisan Lines

Biden Viewed Unfavorably, Divided Opinions about Ryan

No Clear Winner Expected in VP Debate

Romney’s Strong Debate Performance Erases Obama’s Lead

GOP Challenger Viewed as Candidate with New Ideas

Obama Expected to Win First Presidential Debate

Six-in-Ten ‘Very Likely’ to Watch

Romney’s ’47%’ Comments Criticized, But Many Also Say Overcovered

So-So Grades for Obama's Campaign, Worse Grades for Romney's

Youth Engagement Falls; Registration Also Declines

In Changing News Landscape, Even Television is Vulnerable

Trends in News Consumption: 1991-2012

Pluralities Say Press is Fair to Romney, Obama

Republicans Again See Pro-Obama Bias

Fewer Satisfied with Candidates than in Any Campaign Since 1992

Republicans Less Satisfied than Democrats

For Voters It’s Still the Economy

Energy, Terrorism, Immigration Less Important Than in 2008

Obama Ahead with Stronger Support, Better Image and Lead on Most Issues

Democrats Narrow Engagement Gap

Middle East Turmoil Closely Followed; Romney’s Comments Viewed Negatively

Democrats Now More Positive on Campaign 2012

Fewer Republicans See Campaign as Interesting, Informative

Record Partisan Gap in Views of Economic News

Democrats Far Less Negative than a Month Ago

Democratic Convention Highlights: Clinton Outshines Obama

But Obama's Speech Gets Better Marks than Romney's

Obama, Romney, Biden and Ryan in One Word

Americans Feel No Better or Worse Off in the Obama Years; Politics Colors Views of Recession’s Toll

PBS NewsHour Video: Rep. Dennis
Kucinich Takes the Political Party Quiz

Obama in a Word: From ‘Inexperienced’ and ‘Change’ to ‘Good’ and ‘Trying’

Biden in a Word: ‘Good,’ ‘Idiot’

RNC Highlights: Romney Shares Top Billing With Eastwood

Fewer Watch Convention Coverage than in 2008

Romney in a Word: ‘Honest,’ ‘Businessman,’ ‘Rich’

His Image Changes, but Remains More Negative than Positive

Paul Ryan in a Word: ‘Conservative,’ ‘Intelligent’

More Interest in GOP Platform than Romney’s Speech

Political Party Quiz: How We Placed You

A Closer Look at the Parties in 2012

GOP Makes Big Gains among White Working-Class Voters

The Complicated Politics of Abortion

Conventions Still Draw Sizable Audience, Boost Campaign Interest

Medicare Voucher Plan Remains Unpopular

Plurality Views Ryan VP Choice Negatively

Further Decline in Credibility Ratings for Most News Organizations

Older Americans Have Been Highly Resistant to Medicare Changes

What Voters Know about Campaign 2012

Pew Research News IQ Quiz

Public Continues to Hear Mixed Economic News

News of Gas Prices Not So Good

Eight-in-Ten Following Olympics on TV or Digitally

High Marks for NBC's Coverage

Party Affiliation and Election Polls

Romney’s Personal Image Remains Negative

Obama Leads Nationwide, But Closer Race in Swing States

Little Public Awareness of Outside Campaign Spending Boom

What's a 'Super PAC?'

Colorado Rampage Tops News Interest for July

Campaign News Interest on Par With 2008

Catholics Share Bishops’ Concerns about Religious Liberty

But Catholic Voters Back Obama on Social Issues

Two-Thirds of Democrats Now Support Gay Marriage

Obama Endorsement Has Limited Impact

Views on Gun Laws Unchanged After Aurora Shooting

Little Voter Discomfort with Romney’s Mormon Religion

Only About Half Identify Obama as Christian

Most Say They Already Know Enough about the Candidates

Democrats Want to Hear More about Romney's Tax Returns

Romney’s Overseas Trip a Chance to Burnish Foreign Policy Credentials

Colorado Shootings Capture Public’s Interest

Raising Taxes on Rich Seen as Good for Economy, Fairness

Obama Holds Lead; Romney Trails on Most Issues

Record Negatives for Supreme Court Driven by GOP Discontent

Partisans Agree: Presidential Election Will Be Exhausting

Republicans Find General Election Less Interesting than Primaries

PBS NewsHour’s Jim Lehrer and Pew Research Center President Andrew Kohut Discuss the 2012 Election

Division, Uncertainty over Court’s Health Care Ruling

Top One-Word Reactions -- 'Disappointed,' 'Surprised'

GOP Holds Early Turnout Edge, But Little Enthusiasm for Romney

Obama Better Liked, Romney Ahead on Economy

Any Court Health Care Decision Unlikely to Please

Immigration: Public Backs AZ Law, But Also Path to Citizenship

Obama Health Care Law: Where Does the Public Stand?

Debt and Deficit: A Public Opinion Dilemma

By Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center

Economy, Election Are Public’s Top Stories

Conflict Between Vatican, U.S. Nuns Draws Little Catholic Interest

Interest in Foreign News Declines

Perceptions of Economic News Turn More Negative

Majority Now Hearing Mostly Bad News about Jobs

Partisan Polarization Surges in Bush, Obama Years

Trends in American Values: 1987-2012

Presidential Campaign Public’s Top Story

Public Sees Gas Prices Down A Little Across Much of Nation

West Coast Sees Prices Rising

Changing Views of Gay Marriage: A Deeper Analysis

Presidential Campaign Tops Public’s News Interest

Republicans More Likely to Fault Coverage of Obama than of Romney

Public Yawns at European Economic Woes

Obama Support for Gay Marriage Public’s Top Story

Partisan, Gender Differences in Interest in Obama's Comments

Assessing the Representativeness of Public Opinion Surveys

Half Say View of Obama Not Affected by Gay Marriage Decision

Independents Mostly Unmoved

Public Attention Focused on U.S. Economy

Few Following News from China, Europe, Afghanistan

Public’s Top Stories: Martin Case, Election, Economy

Election Dominates News Coverage

Supreme Court Favorability Reaches New Low

Growing Gap in Favorable Views of Federal, State Governments

Republicans Like State Government, Especially in GOP-Led States

More Support for Gun Rights, Gay Marriage than in 2008 or 2004

News about Trayvon Martin Case Still Top Story

Modest Interest in Secret Service, GSA Scandals

Most Swing Voters Favor Afghan Troop Withdrawal

Support for U.S. Troop Presence Hits New Low

Murder Charge in Trayvon Martin’s Death Top Story

Racial Differences in Interest Remain Wide

With Voters Focused on Economy, Obama Lead Narrows

Social Issues Rank as Lowest Priorities

Obama vs. Romney: Which One Can Defy Political History to Win?

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

Gay Marriage: The Electorate Changes, and Politics Follow

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

What the Public Knows about the Political Parties

Pew Research News IQ Quiz

Majority of Americans See Economic News as Mixed

Trayvon Martin Controversy Still Public's Top Story

74% of Republicans Say Romney ‘Definitely’ the Nominee

Ongoing Primaries Seen as Bad for the Party

Wide Racial, Partisan Gaps in Reactions to Trayvon Martin Coverage

Most Republicans See 'Too Much' Coverage

Hearings Hurt Public Regard for both Health Care Law and Supreme Court

Views of Law Enforcement, Racial Progress and News Coverage of Race

Pew Research Center Data Note: Attitudes About Race

The Gender Gap: Three Decades Old, as Wide as Ever

Trayvon Martin Killing Is Public’s Top News Story

Campaign Seen as Too Long, Etch A Sketch Gaffe Little Noticed

Public Remains Split on Health Care Bill, Opposed to Mandate

Polling on Health Care Reform

Top One-Word Reactions to GOP Candidates

Romney's Wealth Now Mentioned More than His Religion

More See “Too Much” Religious Talk by Politicians

Santorum Voters Disagree

Rising Fuel Prices Top Story for Public

Interest in Afghanistan News Up Following Soldier Rampage

As Gas Prices Pinch, Support for Oil and Gas Production Grows

Those Aware of Fracking Favor Its Use

Campaign Interest Comparable to Most Previous Elections, Well Below 2008

Fewer Give Press Good Marks for Coverage

Little Support for U.S. Intervention in Syrian Conflict

Foreign Policy Views: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel

The Viral Kony 2012 Video

Young Adults & Media

Romney Leads GOP Contest, Trails in Matchup with Obama

Gas Prices Offset Good News about Jobs

Election Again Top Story for Public and Media

Interest Steady Heading into Super Tuesday

GOP Race Is Rallying Democrats

Campaign Continues to Hurt GOP More Than It Helps

For the Public, It’s Not about Class Warfare, But Fairness

Poll Analysis

Public Spreads Blame for Rising Gas Prices

Colleges Viewed Positively, But Conservatives Express Doubts

Elections, Economy Top Public’s News Interest

Public Views of the Divide between Religion and Politics

Auto Bailout Now Backed, Stimulus Divisive

Mixed Views of Regulation, Support for Keystone Pipeline

Public’s Top Stories: Whitney Houston, Election, Economy

Santorum's Visibility Grows

Public More Optimistic about Economy, But Concerns Persist

Obama, Economy Now Better Rated by Independents

Public Takes Strong Stance Against Iran’s Nuclear Program

Support for Obama's Afghan Troop Pullout

Despite Santorum Rise, Romney Still Most Visible

Election News Tops Public Interest, Coverage

Public Divided Over Birth Control Insurance Mandate

Religious, Partisan and Gender Differences

Santorum Catches Romney in GOP Race

Obama Leads Both in General Election Matchups

Growing Public Support for Same-Sex Marriage

Election News Tops Public Interest and Coverage

No Change in Perceptions of Economic News

Cable Leads the Pack as Campaign News Source

Twitter, Facebook Play Very Modest Roles

Lower-Income Republicans Say Government Does Too Little for Poor People

Primary Fight and Obama Speech Top News Interest

Gingrich, Romney Most Heard About Candidates

GOP Voters Continue to Give Field Subpar Ratings

Obama Seen as More Understanding than Romney, Gingrich

It’s About Fairness, Not Class Warfare

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

Cruise Ship Accident, Election Top Public’s Interest

Young People Track Web Protests Over Online Piracy Bills

Public Priorities: Deficit Rising, Terrorism Slipping

Tough Stance on Iran Endorsed

Obama: Weak Job Ratings, But Positive Personal Image

Michelle Obama's Popularity Undiminished

Campaign 2012: Too Negative, Too Long, Dull

'Bain Capital' Story Seen as Important

Unpopular Nationally, Romney Holds Solid GOP Lead

Paul Polls at 18% as Third Party Candidate

Super PACs Having Negative Impact, Say Voters Aware of ‘Citizens United’ Ruling

Few GOP Voters Would be Swayed by Endorsements

Many Voters Unaware of Basic Facts about GOP Candidates

Perceptions of Economic News Continue to Improve

Many Say Campaign Already Is Getting Too Much Coverage

GOP Voters Still Unenthused About Presidential Field

Romney Ahead Nationally, Santorum Gains Ground

Continued Majority Support for Death Penalty

More Concern among Opponents about Wrongful Convictions

Six Telling Findings from the Iowa Caucuses