President Trump often celebrates extraordinary high approval ratings from Republicans. Just this week, Trump wrote, “96% approval rating in the Republican Party. Thank you!” https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1273095002563006472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Political analysts attribute the high approval to Trump’s laser-like focus on the Republican base. Over the past 3 and half years, Trump advanced business friendly deregulation policies, significant tax-cuts, appointmentContinue reading “Republican Approval of Trump: Not as High as You Think”
Category Archives: public opinion
George Floyd’s death – an isolated incident or sign of broader problems?
It happened yet again. Captured on video, the killing of another African American man at the hands of police. The fatal encounter sparked waves of protest and violence across American cities. While a majority of Americans support on-going protests, partisan disagreement lingers over the extent of the problem. Are deaths the result of isolated actionsContinue reading “George Floyd’s death – an isolated incident or sign of broader problems?”
A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power – Part 2
At the start of the pandemic, the strong hand of government eliminated social and economic freedoms, striking a new balance between individualism and government power. Today, as social and economic activity restarts, partisan tensions reappear and are growing. This signals a return of individaulism. Can the individualistic spirit thrive in this new enviornment? Can itContinue reading “A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power – Part 2”
A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power
A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power The coronavirus pandemic exposes the delicate balance between individual liberties and government power. At the onset, when government officials pursued policies that prioritized public health – lockdowns and social distancing – the public complied. After all, the severity of the disease was unknown. And footage from ChinaContinue reading “A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power”
Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 2
In Part 1, we introduced the concept of social capital, which refers to connections between people that generate trust, norms of reciprocity, and participation in civic life. In general, people that join groups and interact regularly in social networks are cooperative, obliging, and inclined to do things for others. We suggested this community-mindedness would beContinue reading “Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 2”
Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 1
Post by Alexandra Middlewood and Mark Joslyn Professor Middlewood teaches American government, political behavior and gender politics at Wichita State University. She recently published a paper on Gun Ownership and Women’s Political Participation. In the classic, Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam described the decline of social capital in the United States. He defined social capital as, “…features ofContinue reading “Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 1”
Loathing and Leadership
“As the president fiddles, people are dying. The president, his denial at the beginning, was deadly. The truth is a weak person, a poor leader, takes no responsibility. A weak person blames others.” Speaker of the House Pelosi commenting on President Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. “Crazy Nancy Pelosi, you are a weak person. Continue reading “Loathing and Leadership”
Obama and Trump. Different but Similar – Part 2
As demonstrated in the last post, the grip of partisan politics seemed to take hold of the Obama administration near the completion of his first year. Obama’s monthly approval ratings crept down toward 50%, and by years end dropped below majority support. That trend continued, and in the subsequent months Obama established several records forContinue reading “Obama and Trump. Different but Similar – Part 2”
Obama and Trump. Different but Similar – Part 1
Barack Obama, a youthful 47-year-old former constitutional law professor and community organizer, campaigned on hope and change, and in 2008 became the first African American elected president. His speeches were persuasive, eloquent and at times inspiring. Obama charmed audiences, large and small, and his demeanor projected poise and stability. His inauguration, held in the depthsContinue reading “Obama and Trump. Different but Similar – Part 1”
Trump Celebrates 49% Public Approval
In the final Gallup poll of March, President Trump’s public approval tied his previous high of 49% and improved 5-points from another Gallup survey fielded two weeks before. Trump quickly highlighted the achievement. He also touted a 60% public approval of his handling of the pandemic. And on twitter, Trump bragged about the lofty televisionContinue reading “Trump Celebrates 49% Public Approval”
consider the politics 