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By Karlyn H. Bowman and Daniel Holman Friday, August 10, 2007

A week's worth of data, compiled from the last five editions of our daily email newsletter.

Reality Sinks in for the Democrats in Congress

august break

As Congress leaves Washington for its August recess, new polls suggest that the Democrats in Congress have some work to do in bolstering their image.  In a new Pew Research Center poll, people were evenly divided about whether they will be successful in getting their programs passed.  In November, Americans were much more optimistic.

 

Source: Pew Research Center, July 2007.

 

 

Summertime Leisure

summer evenings

Answering an open-ended question about how they best like to spend their summer evenings, a majority of Americans favored some sort of outdoor activity: sitting on a porch or patio, cooking outside, or passing the time at pools, lakes, or beaches. Watching television--Americans' preferred evening activity in surveys that do not specify a season--came in sixth, tied with both swimming in the pool and taking a walk at around five percent of respondents.

Source: Gallup Online, August 2007 (Selected responses).

 

 

 

 

After the Collapse

collapse


In an early August survey, 78 percent of those surveyed by Gallup said that they were following news about the collapse of a major highway bridge in Minneapolis very or somewhat closely.  Thirty-seven percent said the bridge's collapse was an isolated incident, but 57 percent said it was an indication that the nation's transportation system has serious problems.  Large majorities want Congress to take action and, in theory at least, want Congress to spend $100 billion to fix the problem. 

Source: The Gallup Organization, August 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cautious on China

china2

During his presidency, Bill Clinton characterized China as a strategic partner. George W. Bush disagreed, calling the People's Republic of China a strategic competitor. Americans today see China as more of an adversary than an ally, but they also believe it is important for the United States to interact more with the PRC.

 

Source: NBC News/Wall Street Journal, July 2007.

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