If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003.

Political Commentary

Most Recent Releases

White letter R on blue background
February 19, 2010

GOP Will Gain Significantly, But Probably Remain in House Minority By Isaac T. Wood

The last two U.S. House of Representatives elections have been Democratic landslides that have left them with a 79-seat majority. In 2006, Democrats picked up 29 seats on election night (exactly as the Crystal Ball predicted, by the way) and didn’t lose a single seat of their own, even adding another pick-up in a December runoff. The winning streak continued in 2008, with Democrats netting 21 new seats in what was a Blue year across the board.

White letter R on blue background
February 18, 2010

Gridlock Leading to Debt Crisis? By Lawrence Kudlow

The New York Times ran a front-page story yesterday called “Party Gridlock in Washington Feeds New Fear of a Debt Crisis.” I would’ve preferred a different title. In the aftermath of Scott Brown’s Senate win in Massachusetts, the new political gridlock in Washington could spell the end of the liberal crack-up that we have witnessed over the past year.

White letter R on blue background
February 18, 2010

The GOP's Mixed Medicare Message By Joe Conason

For voters listening to the Republican leadership over the past year, the most startling surprise was the shift in their attitude toward Medicare. Where faithfulness to true conservatism was once measured by fierce hostility to the popular insurance program for the elderly, as articulated by Ronald Reagan at the birth of Medicare in 1965, today the Republicans claim to be its staunchest defenders.

White letter R on blue background
February 18, 2010

The Winter of Global Warming By Debra J. Saunders

The last few months have been cruel and wintry for global-warming true believers. The long storm began in November, when a leak of e-mails from Britain's University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit revealed that key global-warming scientists tried to stifle dissent and politicize peer review, which led to revelations that the researchers had dumped much of the raw data used to bolster the alarmist argument.

White letter R on blue background
February 18, 2010

Republican Talk of the 'Sensible Middle' Makes No Sense By Froma Harrop

We keep hearing that "Obama should move to the center." A variation on this theme is that the president should find the "sensible middle" on policy.

White letter R on blue background
February 17, 2010

Tea Party Optimism vs. the Gold Rally By Lawrence Kudlow

Money and politics is about my favorite topic (apart from spiritual faith, of course). And we had plenty of both in the last day or two.

White letter R on blue background
February 16, 2010

The Coolness of Old Florida By Froma Harrop

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent dig that Florida is "for the old people" cut locals here to the quick.

White letter R on blue background
February 15, 2010

Under Obama, Crony Capitalism Again Rules the Day By Michael Barone

In his bestseller "Inside U.S.A.," the hugely readable journalist John Gunther described America as it was in the last year of World War II. He interviewed hundreds of politicians, businessmen and journalists, but only four men rated a separate chapter -- three politicians and Henry J. Kaiser, the California construction magnate who built dams and ships and manufactured concrete and steel and aluminum.

White letter R on blue background
February 14, 2010

A Sure-Fire Legal Recipe for Airport Insecurity By Debra J. Saunders

Last August, Nicholas George, 22, was getting ready to fly from Pennsylvania to Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., when TSA agents found Arabic-English flash cards in his pocket -- the 200 cards included such words as "bomb" and "explosive" -- two stereo speakers in his carry-on bag, a Jordanian student ID card and a passport that showed he had visited Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sudan.

White letter R on blue background
February 13, 2010

The Washington, D.C., Disconnect By Lawrence Kudlow

The disconnect between Washington and the rest of the country has never been greater. Why can't the political class in the District of Columbia produce a fiscal product that voters, taxpayers and investors are willing to consume?

White letter R on blue background
February 12, 2010

Valentine's Blues By Susan Estrich

At least it's on a Sunday. Friday and Saturday are the worst.

Second only to New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day is a surefire downer for those of us who find ourselves alone on a day when it seems that everyone else is happily in love. Of course, it's all silliness. Compared to cancer and earthquakes, compared to not having a job or a place to live, who cares about silly red hearts full of chocolates, or frilly cards and bouquets? Let Hallmark have its day. Let the florists' registers ring. Why should the rest of us care?

White letter R on blue background
February 11, 2010

Slobs and the American Civilization By Froma Harrop

Had George Washington joined me outside a Chili's at Chicago's O'Hare Airport recently, he would have shuddered at the sight.

White letter R on blue background
February 11, 2010

With Absolute Power, Team Obama Grows Stupid By Michael Barone

How could such smart people do so many stupid things? That question, or variations on it, is being asked in Washington and around the country about the Obama administration.

White letter R on blue background
February 10, 2010

A Health Care Plague on Both Their Houses By Susan Estrich

My friend Ethel is mad as hell, but she has no choice but to keep taking it. She's mad at her health insurance company, and she's mad at the administration and Congress. She's equally mad at Democrats and Republicans. It's not partisan; it's personal.

White letter R on blue background
February 10, 2010

Palin Delivers Sparkle, Warmth By Tony Blankley

"No new ideas." That was the most prominent of the criticisms of Sarah Palin's speech at MSNBC's too-cool-for-school "Morning Joe" on Monday.

White letter R on blue background
February 9, 2010

Age Discrimination for the Young By Froma Harrop

The age of adulthood -- and the rights and responsibilities that come with it -- is largely a matter of opinion. Age 18 traditionally separates minors from adults. But one can't legally buy a drink in America until age 21. Meanwhile, many states are now sending minors into the adult criminal justice system, even for nonviolent crimes.

White letter R on blue background
February 9, 2010

Does Judge Walker Have a Conflict? By Debra J. Saunders

In the circle of lawyers and judges I know, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker is a giant. He is a brilliant jurist, legal eagles will tell you, who has insightful, and often unexpected, opinions. He's funny and charming -- and he's gay.

White letter R on blue background
February 8, 2010

Public-sector Unions Bleed Taxpayers to Help Dems By Michael Barone

Growing up in Michigan in the heyday of the United Auto Workers, I long assumed that labor unions were part of the natural order of things.

White letter R on blue background
February 7, 2010

Holder's Premature Mirandization of Suspect By Debra J. Saunders

Republicans have been hitting the Obama administration for Attorney General Eric Holder's too-quick decision to Mirandize accused Christmas bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab after a mere 50 minutes of what has been described as valuable interrogation. After the Miranda moment, the would-be bomber clammed up.

White letter R on blue background
February 5, 2010

The Massachusetts Miracle By Susan Estrich

Everyone knows that what doesn't destroy you makes you stronger. That is particularly true in politics, where a hard kick either knocks you down or wakes you up.

Daily Presidential
Tracking Poll

President Biden's approval numbers posted every weekday

Top Stories

  1. Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
  2. Biden Approval Declines Again in June
  3. Happy Independence Day!
  4. ABC News: 'Answer Our Questions -- Or Else!'