Poll: Americans split on favorability of fracking

Gallup finds fascinating political affiliation and education correlations on attitudes around the increasingly widespread — and increasingly controversial — use of “fracking.”

Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz this week became the first major politician to officially announce a presidential candidacy. Many reports indicate that Cruz has alienated fellow GOP senators, but nationwide data show he has an average image across the board — average name recognition, average favorables, averages unfavorables. 

New data on drinking alcohol by state finds that Vermont has the highest percentage of residents who consume seven or more drinks a week — followed by Montana, Maine and New Hampshire. Not surprisingly, Utah has the lowest rate. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are all slightly below average in self-reported regular drinking.