Clinton, Trump Supporters Have Starkly Different Views of a Changing Nation
Supporters of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump disagree on a range of policy issues, from terrorism to free trade. Yet they also have more fundamental differences over long-term changes in the country and the next generation’s future prospects.
Few Clinton or Trump Supporters Have Close Friends in the Other Camp
In an increasingly contentious presidential campaign, just a quarter of voters who support Donald Trump in the general election say they have a lot or some close friends who are supporters of Hillary Clinton. Even fewer Clinton backers (18%) say they have at least some friends who support Trump.
In Clinton’s March to Nomination, Many Democrats Changed Their Minds
Survey report Hillary Clinton led Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination in every Pew Research Center survey conducted throughout the party’s primaries. But many Democratic voters vacillated in their candidate support throughout this period. Today, however, overwhelming shares of all Democratic and Democratic-leaning registered voters – including 90% who consistently supported Sanders for the nomination […]
For GOP Voters, a Winding Path to a Trump Nomination
Survey report When Pew Research Center first asked Republican voters their preferences for the GOP presidential nomination in March 2015, just 1% volunteered Donald Trump as their first choice. Thirteen months later, Trump was the first choice of 44% of Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters, more than any of his rivals. Today, 88% of these […]
Voters’ Perceptions of the Candidates: Traits, Ideology and Impact on Issues
Few voters ‘check the box’ on positive descriptions of candidates.
2016 Campaign: Strong Interest, Widespread Dissatisfaction
As Republicans and Democrats prepare for their party conventions later this month, a new national survey paints a bleak picture of voters’ impressions of the presidential campaign and the choices they face in November.
Vote preference over time
See data on voter preference over time.
Partisanship and Political Animosity in 2016
The 2016 campaign is unfolding against a backdrop of intense partisan division and animosity. Partisans’ views of the opposing party are now more negative than at any point in nearly a quarter of a century.
Public Uncertain, Divided Over America’s Place in the World
The public views America’s role in the world with considerable apprehension and concern. In fact, most Americans say it would be better if the U.S. just dealt with its own problems and let other countries deal with their own problems as best they can.
GOP’s Favorability Rating Edges Lower
The Republican Party’s image, already quite negative, has slipped since last fall. Currently 33% of the public has a favorable impression of the Republican Party, while 62% have an unfavorable view.
More Americans Disapprove Than Approve of Health Care Law
The public’s views of the Affordable Care Act, which were evenly divided following the Supreme Court’s ruling last summer upholding a key section of the law, are again more negative than positive.
A Wider Ideological Gap Between More and Less Educated Adults
Two years ago, Pew Research Center found that Republicans and Democrats were more divided along ideological lines than at any point in the previous two decades. But growing ideological distance is not confined to partisanship. There are also growing ideological divisions along educational and generational lines.
Campaign Exposes Fissures Over Issues, Values and How Life Has Changed in the U.S.
The 2016 presidential campaign has exposed deep disagreements between – and within – the two parties on a range of major policy issues.
Garland Nomination to Supreme Court Gets Positive Reception From Public
Although Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, more Americans say they favor (46%) than oppose (30%) Garland’s confirmation to the high court. About a quarter (24%) offer no opinion.
Majority of Public Wants Senate to Act on Obama’s Court Nominee
Survey Report In the high-stakes battle over replacing Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, a majority of Americans (56%) say the Senate should hold hearings and vote on President Obama’s choice to fill the vacancy. About four-in-ten (38%) say the Senate should not hold hearings until the next president selects a court nominee. Most […]
More Support for Justice Department Than for Apple in Dispute Over Unlocking iPhone
As the standoff between the Department of Justice and Apple Inc. continues over an iPhone used by one of the suspects in the San Bernardino terrorist attacks, 51% say Apple should unlock the iPhone to assist the ongoing FBI investigation.
2012 Republican Primary Voters: More Conservative Than GOP General Election Voters
Survey Report Next week, Republican voters will begin the process of selecting their party’s 2016 presidential nominee. One of the major questions will be which GOP voters turn out, and which stay home. A person’s past voting history can be a powerful predictor of future turnout. A new analysis of the Republican electorate in 2012, […]
Budget Deficit Slips as Public Priority
Survey Report As Barack Obama begins his final year in office, the goal of reducing the budget deficit, which the public once ranked among the most pressing objectives for his administration, has continued its recent decline in perceived importance. Overall, 56% say that reducing the budget deficit should be a top priority for the president […]
Voters Skeptical That 2016 Candidates Would Make Good Presidents
A year before the next president takes office, voters are skeptical that any of the leading 2016 candidates would make a good president.
Congress’ productivity improves somewhat in 2015
Congress passed 113 laws, 87 of them substantive, in 2015, making it the most productive first session since 2009
