Americans Say Price of Energy, Food Hurt Personal Finances

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that Americans say the price of energy, the price of food, and taxes -- situations that lead to a direct withdrawal of money from Americans’ pockets -- are most likely to hurt their financial situation. Americans are less likely to say government regulations and immigration policies -- broader economic issues -- will hurt their personal finances.

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Americans Say Hawaii Is World’s Most Desirable Vacation Spot

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that Hawaii tops the list of where Americans want to vacation if money were no object, followed by Australia and Italy. When Gallup first asked this question in 1955, Americans cited California as the top place for domestic travel and France and Great Britain for international travel.

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Republicans Pessimistic, Democrats Optimistic About Future of U.S.

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that 24% of Republicans believe the best days are ahead for the U.S., compared with 69% of Democrats. He also shares that 29% of Republicans say today’s youth will have a better life than their parents, compared with 66% of Democrats who say the same.

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Few Americans See U.S Economic System as Best

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that 34% of Americans say the U.S. economic system is the best or above average compared with the economic systems in all other modern industrialized nations. He also shares that less than half of Americans say the U.S. healthcare system and system of government are the best or above average.

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Politicians Typically Top Americans’ List of Most Admired

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that Americans named Barack Obama as the most admired man in the world in 2012, which is consistent with the historical pattern of presidents topping the list since Gallup began asking this question in 1948. He also shares that Hillary Clinton is the most admired woman for the 17th time since 1993.

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Americans Twice as Likely to Approve of Obama’s Handling of Fiscal Cliff vs. Boehner’s

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport shares that 54% of Americans approve of President Obama’s handling of the fiscal cliff negotiations, while 26% approve of House Speaker John Boehner’s  performance in the budget debates. Newport also reveals whether the fiscal cliff negotiations have affected Americans’ views of Congress.

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Fewer Americans Support Stricter Gun Control Over Past Decade

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport explains that Americans have become less likely to support stricter gun control laws over the past decade, despite instances of mass shootings. Newport also reveals that Americans rate the potential effectiveness of a ban on assault weapons as fourth on a list of six actions Gallup asked about for preventing mass shootings at schools.

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Michigan Right-to-Work Law Highlights Divisive Issue for Americans

This week Michigan became the 24th right-to-work state in the United States. The heightening tension between labor supporters and detractors throughout the country highlights Americans’ divided views toward unions. Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that 52% of Americans approve of unions as of August 2012.  

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Americans Want a Deal to Avoid the Fiscal Cliff

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that Americans from both political parties want President Obama and leaders in Congress to compromise to reach an agreement before the fiscal cliff deadline, but Americans do not want budget cuts that will personally affect them, such as cuts to entitlement programs.

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Americans Prefer “Free Enterprise” to “Capitalism”

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport shares that significantly more Americans have a positive reaction to the term “free enterprise” (89%) than they do to “capitalism” (61%). Newport also reveals Americans’ reactions to other political and economic terms, such as “socialism” and “federal government.”

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Americans See Job Market, National Affairs Improving

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that 24% of Americans say it’s a good time to find a quality job -- the highest percentage since March 2008. Newport also reveals that 31% of Americans say they are satisfied with the way things are going to the U.S. -- up significantly from this same time last year.

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Americans May Spend a Little More on Holiday Gifts This Year

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that Americans estimate they will spend an average of $770 on presents this holiday season, which points to a slight increase in holiday sales between 3.5% and 3.7%, according to Gallup’s estimates.

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Cheap Prices and Sales Attract Black Friday Shoppers

Gallup Editor-in-Chief reveals that 18% of Americans predicted they would partake in Black Friday and that 95% of those who planned to shop said cheap prices and sales were drawing them in.

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Americans Paying Close Attention to Fiscal Cliff

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that 71% of Americans are closely following news about the fiscal cliff issues -- higher than the 61% average for other news events that Gallup has tracked. He also reveals that the majority of Americans want both parties to compromise equally to reach a solution.

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Americans’ Top Priorities for President Obama

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport explains that Americans’ top priorities going forward are the economy, jobs, the deficit, fixing government, and healthcare -- he goes on to reveal how Americans think the government should address the fiscal cliff. Newport also discusses the high turnout among Latino voters and the implications of this for the Republican Party’s future messaging.

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