Topic: Polls and Approval Ratings

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

Tired of the 2012 presidential race? 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially for Democrats looking hungrily at a nomination race that will not include President Obama. Speculation has already started over who might run – fueled by no less a figure than former President Clinton, who has suggested in recent TV interviews that his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the possible contenders.
Is GOP at war with women? 4 points to keep in mind on the gender gap

To hear all the buzz, Republicans are at war with women and “hemorrhaging the women’s vote.” A reality check is certainly in order. Here are four points Republicans should keep in mind as they look to bridge the gender gap and chart a winning path to November.
8 ways to find common ground

Gridlock plagues Washington. Polarizing soundbytes get constant play in the 24/7 news cycle. The culture wars rage on. But these Monitor op-ed writers suggest there’s more common ground than meets the eye. Here are eight powerful perspectives on the possibilities for meeting in the middle.

All Content

Egypt's Elections: Muslim Brotherhood claims exit-poll lead

While only a small number of ballots have been counted, Brotherhood leaders have said that there candidate is sure to advance to a run-off round.
Despite ancestry controversy, Elizabeth Warren tied with Sen. Scott Brown

The US Senate race in Massachusetts is among the closest in the battle over Senate control after the November elections. In a new poll, Elizabeth Warren has 47 percent of the vote and Scott Brown 48 percent.
Mitt Romney's Bain problem: private equity has bad rap with public

Mitt Romney is using his record as a job creator at Bain Capital as a selling point, but – even before President Obama's attack ads – the public isn't inclined to buy it, polls suggest.
Gov. Christie vs. Cory Booker in Seinfeld-like video spoof (+video)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker release video spoof of Seinfeld-Newman rivalry. A new poll shows Gov. Christie wouldn't be happy as vice president.
Is Obama the 'first gay president' as Newsweek proclaims?

Newsweek magazine's latest cover proclaims Barack Obama the 'first gay president'. He'd rather focus on the economy than his controversial new support for same-sex marriage. But that's a tough issue for him, as recent polls show.
Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
New Obama video slams Romney as 'backwards' on gay marriage

The Obama 2012 campaign released a new video Thursday titled "Mitt Romney: Backwards on Equality." It criticizes Mitt Romney's position on gay marriage.
Romney stays firm on opposition to gay marriage (+video)

He called the issue a "tender and sensitive topic," but reaffirmed that he opposes same-sex marriages.
Tea party set to topple Sen. Richard Lugar. Could he try third-party run?

Centrist Sen. Richard Lugar (R) of Indiana has been in office since 1977. Tea party-challenger Richard Mourdock has attacked him from the right and looks set to win Tuesday's GOP primary.
Focus
Sen. Dick Lugar trails GOP rival in poll. A surge of tea party power?

Ahead of Tuesday's GOP primary in Indiana, incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar lags challenger Richard Mourdock by 10 points, a new poll shows. A Lugar defeat would be a convincing demonstration of tea party power in 2012 election cycle.
Why Mitt Romney is rebounding in two key battlegrounds, Florida and Ohio

Mitt Romney and President Obama are now in a dead heat in Florida and Ohio, while Obama still leads in Pennsylvania, says a new poll. Two factors could be behind the trends.
Mitt Romney gains on Obama in Florida and Ohio, says poll (+video)

Mitt Romney and President Obama are in a dead heat in Florida and Ohio. Obama still leads in the key swing state of Pennsylvania, says new poll.
Decoder Wire
Obama ad hits Romney Swiss bank account. Effective? (+video)

A new attack ad accuses Mitt Romney of sending jobs overseas and stashing his cash in a Swiss account. Political scientists are dubious that attack ads are as powerful as some think they are.
National Honesty Day: This story is an attempt to get Web traffic

National Honesty Day: April 30 marks National Honesty Day. We hope that you'll visit this page so that we can get a tiny bit of advertising money.
Early Israeli elections? What it would mean for US, Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled on Sunday for the first time that he is liable to move up Israel’s elections from next year to this year.
Supporters rally for Arizona's defiant Sheriff Joe Arpaio

To some, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is a cop run amok. Others say he's a scapegoat, unfairly vilified for upholding Arizona's controversial tough law aimed at illegal immigrants.
Judge strikes down 'suspicionless' drug testing of Florida state workers

A federal judge's ruling strikes down Florida's first-in-the-nation drug testing law – and could give pause to other states considering suspicionless drug testing of state workers or others receiving state funds.
Latin America Monitor
Santos hailed as regional leader, but approval falls at home in Colombia

Colombia's President Santos is riding high regionally, but a new poll suggests his domestic approval ratings have dropped, writes guest blogger James Bosworth.
Obama vs. Romney: Your guide to poll-watching

Between now and the presidential election in November, there’ll be hundreds of polls weighing Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama. Here’s some advice on how to sort through the numbers.
French presidential elections will be referendum on Sarkozy, the man

The first round of French presidential elections are Sunday. Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy is facing the lowest approval ratings of a modern president, largely due to distaste with his style, not platform.
Mitt Romney faces massive shortfall on personal popularity

An ABC/Washington Post poll shows only 35 percent of Americans view Mitt Romney favorably. But Gallup's first tracking poll of the campaign shows Romney and Obama in a tight race.
Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

Tired of the 2012 presidential race? 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially for Democrats looking hungrily at a nomination race that will not include President Obama. Speculation has already started over who might run – fueled by no less a figure than former President Clinton, who has suggested in recent TV interviews that his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the possible contenders.
What’s Rick Santorum’s exit strategy – er plan to prevail?

Rick Santorum is falling farther and farther behind Mitt Romney in the Republican convention delegate count. To reverse that, he needs to win his home state of Pennsylvania and then the southern states that follow.
Poll: Trayvon Martin case divides US by race, age, wealth, and politics

New polls show a distinct split in how Americans view the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Some groups, including blacks, women, and Democrats, are more likely to see race as a key factor.