Polling and Public Opinion

A combination file photo shows opponents (L) and supporters (R) of Affordable Healthcare Act rally on the sidewalk at the Supreme Court in Washington (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (L) and Joshua Roberts (R)).

Blog Post

Time to Compromise? How Republicans and Democrats View the Government Shutdown

October 3, 2013, William A. Galston

William Galston explains how the American people view the government shutdown and asks whether the House of Representatives is out of touch. Now that Obamacare is going into effect, it will be up to voters in future elections to evaluate it. Republicans should turn their attention to fiscal policy, which is more negotiable—and more relevant to the budget and debt ceiling deadlines that triggered the current crisis.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Politics and Elections | U.S. Politics | Elections | Middle East and North Africa

Interview | The Diane Rehm Show (NPR)

The World Through Arab Eyes: Arab Public Opinion and the Reshaping of the Middle East

June 6, 2013, Shibley Telhami
In the News

It's pretty clear that at the last minute, a lot of women made a decision that Obama really understood what their economic concerns were. Yes, they want control over their own body...but decisions over health care can limit their ability to control economics as well.
November 9, 2012, Elisabeth Jacobs, CBS News
In the News

Rated on energy, charm, and political smarts, Michelle Obama is the most important and successful first lady in a presidential campaign since 'Lady Bird' Johnson in 1964.
November 7, 2012, Stephen Hess, The Washington Examiner
In the News

[Obama had a] decisive Electoral College win of at least 303 votes and more than half the popular vote with a 2.5 million margin, while the Republicans lost three Senate seats...It points to an exacerbation of partisan voting and no new coalition building.
November 7, 2012, Thomas E. Mann, Government Executive
In the News

I think [Mitt] Romney was done in by the fact that he could not get far enough to the center credibly enough. He had to go too far right in the primaries. And the reason for that is you have some fierce constituencies in the Republican Party that do not want the party to change.
November 7, 2012, Jonathan Rauch, Voice of America
Expert Q & A | John Hudak

What Polling Really Tells Us

November 5, 2012, John Hudak
Interview | The New York Times

Q & A on Forecasting Based on Voter Expectations

November 2, 2012, Justin Wolfers
In the News

Even among Catholics who attend church once a week or more, a group that is often considered more socially conservative...A majority believe the Catholic Church should emphasize issues related to justice and our obligations to the poor.
October 25, 2012, E.J. Dionne, Jr., America Magazine
In the News

Voters don't want to think Hollywood celebrities are telling them how to vote. They understand their expertise is outside the political world. [But there are exceptions.] Celebrities can help in particular niches, particularly in terms of get out the vote efforts because there you can match a celebrity and target and appeal to those types of communities.
October 24, 2012, Darrell M. West, FoxNews
In the News

It is unlikely [Obama] convinced many swing voters to 'unswing,' but he certainly generated greater voter enthusiasm among Democrats, which—when combined with Biden's performance in his debate—will begin to show up in polls, will change 'Likely Voter' models, and will result in the president picking up a few points.
October 17, 2012, John Hudak, ABC News