New York voters aren’t very optimistic about the financial solvency of their state, but they're also sending their elected representatives mixed signals. They oppose budget cuts in a couple key areas but are against tax hikes even more.
The 2010 mid-term elections are now less than a year away, and this past week highlighted some of the story lines already in play - the ideological divide in the Republican Party, the ongoing national health care debate, Guantanamo and rising unemployment.
Just 35% of New York State voters agree with Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to try the confessed mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks and five other suspected terrorists in a civilian court in New York City rather than before a military tribunal.
Little has changed in the 2010 U.S. Senate race in California over the past month, as incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer maintains steady leads over two of the top Republican opponents.
Senator John McCain’s future in the U.S. Senate may be a little less assured than previously thought.
There’s been virtually no change over the past two months in the hypothetical Election 2010 Senate match-up in New York State between Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand and former Governor George Pataki. Including the fact that Pataki still hasn’t announced for the race.
While the Senate is now preparing to debate Democratic Leader Harry Reid's 2000-plus-page version of the health care reform plan, 47% of Americans still believe the private sector rather than the federal government has the best chance of keeping health care costs down and the quality of medical care up.
State Attorney General Jerry Brown is the only major Democrat still running for governor of California next year, and now he’s tied with Republican hopeful Meg Whitman at 41% each in the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state.
U.S. voters seem slightly less concerned about the legal niceties when it comes to protecting America from attack.
Forty-five percent (45%) of Americans say the cost of prescription drugs will go up if the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats becomes law.
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is still the most formidable candidate in next year’s gubernatorial race in New York, but he barely squeaks by if Rudy Giuliani is his Republican opponent. Two months ago, Cuomo had a 19-point lead on the former New York City mayor.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of U.S. voters have a favorable opinion of First Lady Michelle Obama, including 41% who regard her very favorably. The overall number is up four points from October and represents her highest favorable ratings in several months.
Fifty-one percent (51%) of U.S. voters oppose the Obama administration’s decision to try the confessed chief planner of the 9/11 attacks and other suspected terrorists in a civilian court in New York City.
Twenty percent (20%) of Americans think what is good for China’s economy is good for the U.S. economy, as President Obama meets with Chinese leaders this week in an effort to ease economic tensions between the two nations.
Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters now favor the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. With the exception of bounces following nationally televised presidential appeals, that’s the highest level of support measured for the legislative effort all year.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty might want to focus his reported interest in the White House a little more at home for right now.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Republican voters say former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin shares the values of most GOP voters throughout the nation.
The front-runner in Minnesota’s 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary is a candidate who isn’t even the race yet, while Democrats are evenly divided between two of their most prominent contenders.
Twenty-six percent (26%) of Americans say the United States should remove all its military troops from Japan, a central issue in President Obama’s trip to that country Friday and Saturday.
A grateful nation showed its respect on Veterans Day this past week to those who have served in the U.S. military, even as more disturbing news emerged about the Muslim Army officer accused of the massacre at Fort Hood, Texas.
