WHYY News and Information » What Are We Thinking?

Analyzing the election results

Dave Heller — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:10:22 +0000

Does a closer inspection of Tuesday's election results leave any clues for next year's midterm elections? Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller take a look at the results and the numbers. Plus, find out which countries are most appealing to immigrants. All that and more in today's edition of What Are We Thinking.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:
- Can lessons from Tuesday's election results serve as predictors for next year's 2010 midterm elections?

- Are so-called 'moderate' Republicans increasingly marginalized in the GOP?

- What should we pay most attention to in terms of judging the health of the economy – the unemployment rate or consumer confidence?

- Which countries are most appealing to immigrants? (assuming no barrier to entry)

Who are you going to call? To resolve the health care reform

Dave Heller — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:57:05 +0000

The health care reform debate seems to be in its last rounds, but whom do Americans trust the most to resolve the impasse? Also, while the economy still dominates the President's priority list, concerns about the war are gaining moment. All that, plus the Vice President's popularity index on What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:
- Americans trust the President on health care reform but are not too enthusiastic about the way Democrats and Republicans in Congress are handling the whole issue.

- Any changes in the way race in America is being approached or experienced since the President was elected?

- The honesty factor: if we lost a wallet or purse, in which state of the union would it be more likely that someone would find it and return it?

- and more!

Who's getting the pay bonuses and who's depressed about it?

Dave Heller — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:00:50 +0000

Should taxpayers support salary bonuses for Wall Street mogul companies? Who benefits the most from the healthcare reform legislation? The polls say Americans are willing to support a plan even if it doesn't affect them personally. Plus, a new analysis on who's most likely to be depressed, today on What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- More on the flu threat: the regular type and the H1N1.

- Stepping in to protect the taxpayers investment in bailing out Wall Street.

- How's the President doing as he reaches his third quarter in office?

- American's mental health. Who's most likely to be depressed: men or women? rich or poor?

Job security? Not yet

Dave Heller — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:10:47 +0000

In spite of some timid signs of economic improvements around the corner, unemployment is at a virtual standstill. Americans are worried about crime and what they fear the most is identity theft followed followed by home burglary and robbery. All that and the push to decriminalize pot today on What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- The official unemployment rate remains near 10% . Any sign Americans are becoming more hopeful about employment and jobs?

- Gallup updates Americans’ views of crime every October… What do Americans worry most about when it comes to crime?

- Californian are again talking about legalizing marijuana and taxing it to help state revenue coffers. Some say the issue could appear on ballots as soon as next year. Where do Americans stand on legalizing pot?

What's next in Afghanistan?

Dave Heller — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:06:57 +0000

President Obama woke up this morning with news of his Nobel Peace prize. Still, what's kept people awake at night this week is the Afghanistan dilemma and the state of the economy. All that and reopening the gun control legislation debate, today on What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- What's next in Afghanistan?

- Congressional approval ratings loosing ground.

- Fear about gun control legislation stirs the purchase of weapons and ammunition.

- Early predictions about a Republican gain in the 2010 elections.

- and more.

Conspiracy theories and health care headaches

Dave Heller — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:26:37 +0000

In an interview on NBC this week President Clinton spoke about poverty, climate and the responsibilities of being a president, but what received the most attention is his response to a question about "a right wing conspiracy" against democratic presidents. Also a rarity in a non election year: polls show American are still hooked on political news coverage and the health debate still simmering. All that and a happiness index for men and women, in this week's What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Photo Credit: Timothy K Hamilton, Courtesy: Flickr

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- Any changes in the balance among Democratic and Republican supporters?

- Political news, still a big ticket among media consumers.

- Americans favor a public option to the proposed health care plans.

- And who's happiest these days, men or women?

The Afghanistan dilemma

Dave Heller — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:36:00 +0000

While the world's financial future is being debated in Pittsburgh at the G-20 summit, Americans are weighting the pros and cons of sending new troops to Afghanistan. Looking at a clearer demographic portrait of supporters and detractors in the ongoing health care reform debate. All that and the President as a media star, in this week's What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Photo Credit: Pat dollard

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- New data on public support for the idea of sending new U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

- Democrats control both houses of Congress and the White House. Any signs the tarnished Republican image is recovering?

- What are Americans thoughts on "big government?"

- And more

Health care reform heats up

Dave Heller — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:43:13 +0000

Health care continues to dominate what worries Americans the most. But after the now famous outburst by a congressman during the president's speech to Congress, the issue of civility is now being amply discussed. Surprisingly as consumer confidence is still shifty, the Gallup poll finds that small business owners are… happy! All that and who's responsible for providing health insurance on What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- The health care reform heats up.

- Americans are wondering whose responsibility it is to provide health insurance.

- Who is really happy with their jobs?

- Where are we at in the consumer confidence front?

- And more

What do Americans think about the proposed changes in healthcare?

Dave Heller — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:34:59 +0000

A lot has changed in American history in the eight years since the 9/11 attacks, but aside from public and private memorials nationwide, terrorism is not the first thing in people's minds these days. Not surprisingly, health care and the economy continue to headline public concerns. All that, plus who's trusting Congress and the media, in this week's What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- Government spending and how much money do taxpayers think is wasted?

- Who do Americans trust least: Congress or the news media? You might be surprised.

- As the Supreme Court reconvenes, are there any shifts in the image of the court?

- and more

How are labor unions doing these days?

Dave Heller — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:22:05 +0000

It's not easy to celebrate Labor Day when unemployment statistics are still worrisome and the state of American Unions is in flux. It doesn't help when concerns about the effectiveness of a national health plan and apprehension about swine flew dominate the headlines. All that and a new look at partisanship in this week's What Are We Thinking with Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief at the Gallup Poll and WHYY's Dave Heller.

Listen:

This week on What Are We Thinking:

- How are labor unions doing these days?

- The latest poll reveal dramatic changes in how Americans identify with the two major political parties.

- Despite concerns about Afghanistan, the economy and not foreign policy is the most important issue for Americans today.