Social (In)Security
Last week, the first Baby Boomer applied for Social Security, signally the start of a “silver tsunami” expected to hit the benefits system full-force over the next two decades. The top Democratic and Republican presidential contenders have weighed in on the issue—and Americans are becoming increasing worried. When asked about Social Security’s financial situation in an October CBS News poll, 30 percent of participants described the system as “in crisis,” up from 17 percent who gave that response in 2005.
Source: CBS News, latest of October 2007.
Speak Softly, But Carry a Big Stick?
Over the past few years, the world has watched warily as Iran pursued its nuclear program. While Americans remain worried about the potential threat of a nuclear Iran, the latest polls suggest that they are uncertain about the best course of action. In an early October CNN/Opinion Research poll, 77 percent of participants said they believed Iran was attempting to develop nuclear weapons, and 82 percent said Iran was providing weapons and other support to insurgents fighting U.S. troops in Iraq. But Americans are generally reluctant to use force, and only 29 percent said they would favor U.S. military action against Iran, a response that has remained fairly consistent since early 2007. Still, when asked to consider alternative options, support for military action “if necessary” was higher. In a separate poll conducted in late September, 31 percent said the United States should take a “softer line with Iran, including more diplomacy,” while 50 percent supported “a tougher line, including military action if necessary.” Source: FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll, September 2007.
Supplemental Health
More Americans say they are trying to lead healthier lives by eating right and exercising. Around seven in ten say they take a nutritional supplement or vitamin and nearly three in ten belong to a gym or fitness center. Approximately two in ten count calories.
Source: Zogby International, September 2007.
Politics in the Press
Even with the actual election a year away, the 2008 presidential campaign continues to garner top news headlines. According to an October Pew Research Center poll, Americans have mixed opinions regarding the current press coverage. Forty-one percent said the press had done an “excellent” or “good” job covering the campaign thus far, while a third described its coverage as “only fair” and 21 percent described it as “poor.” Democrats were more likely (57 percent) than Republicans (40 percent) and independents (32 percent) to describe coverage as excellent or good. When asked about certain aspects of the campaign, a majority of those polled said they wanted more coverage of the candidates’ positions on issues (77 percent), debates (57 percent), campaign financing (55 percent), candidates’ personal backgrounds and experiences (55 percent), and candidates who weren’t frontrunners (55 percent). Only 42 percent said they wanted to see more coverage of the latest polls. Source: Pew Research Center/Opinion Research Corp., October 2007.
Ruling Out Candidates?
A September ABC News/Washington Post poll asked Americans whether they would definitely support or definitely not support certain candidates. The race if far from over, but these early poll soundings bear watching. A majority of those polled said that they would definitely not vote for Romney (57 percent) or Thompson (54 percent). Even among Republicans, 34 percent said they had ruled out Romney; 27 percent said they would definitely not vote for Thompson. These early questions are hypothetical and although intriguing, they may be misleading. Once both parties choose their final candidates in the primaries—and these candidates become the real choices in voters’ eyes—assessments may change.
Source: ABC News/Washington Post, September 2007.
