Americans Name the 10 Most Significant Historic Events of Their Lifetimes
Three-quarters of Americans say Sept. 11 was one of the 10 events in their lives that had the greatest impact on the country, with many also citing Obama’s election and the tech revolution.
Obama Leaves Office on High Note, But Public Has Mixed Views of Accomplishments
Survey Report With just a few weeks left in Barack Obama’s presidency, Americans’ early judgments of his place in history are more positive than negative. Obama is poised to leave office on a high note: Current assessments of both the president and the first lady are among the most favorable since they arrived in the […]
Low Approval of Trump’s Transition but Outlook for His Presidency Improves
Nearly a month after Donald Trump’s election as president, the public views his transition to the White House less positively than those of past presidents-elect.
Low Marks for Major Players in 2016 Election – Including the Winner
For most voters, the 2016 presidential campaign was one to forget.
A Divided and Pessimistic Electorate
Survey report Beyond their disagreements over specific policy issues, voters who supported President-elect Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton also differed over the seriousness of a wide array of problems facing the nation, from immigration and crime to inequality and racism. And while voters generally said little progress has been made over the last eight years […]
Most Trump, Clinton Backers Say Spouses Share Their Vote Preferences
As the 2016 campaign enters its final weeks, very few voters who support either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton expect their spouse or partner to cross the aisle and vote for the other candidate.
In Presidential Contest, Voters Say ‘Basic Facts,’ Not Just Policies, Are in Dispute
n the contentious weeks leading up to Election Day, voters are deeply divided over the candidates, major issues and the nation’s past and future course. And, in a new survey, most voters say these differences even extend to disputes over basic facts.
In Their Own Words: Why Voters Support – and Have Concerns About – Clinton and Trump
Voters who support Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump offer a variety of reasons why they do so, ranging from the candidates’ issue positions to their personal backgrounds.
15 Years After 9/11, a Sharp Partisan Divide on Ability of Terrorists to Strike U.S.
As the 15th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, partisan differences over the ability of terrorists to launch a major attack on the United States are now as wide as at any point dating back to 2002.
Opinions on Gun Policy and the 2016 Campaign
For the past several years, large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans have favored making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks.
On Immigration Policy, Partisan Differences but Also Some Common Ground
The public is divided over many aspects of U.S. immigration policy.
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 […]
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.
