Survey questions asking whether voters want to impeach and remove Donald Trump from office are now mesmerizing pundits and pols. Important as it seems, it may be the wrong question on which to focus. Far more people want to impeach and remove Donald Trump from office today than wanted to take that action against either…
Surveys derive meaning from comparisons across time and space. With so little to go by, drawing conclusions about impeachments is difficult. If there’s one overriding lesson from polling in our two previous cases it’s that sometimes impeachment inflicts damage and sometimes it doesn’t. While perceptions of some aspects of Bill Clinton’s character clearly worsened, there is…
When we perceive big consequences, we’re naturally inclined to search for big causes. Witnessing a political earthquake, we assume there must be huge tectonic shifts somewhere in the electorate. After Israel’s recent election, commentators were seized with the revolutionary implications of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “loss.” But even if he ends up the loser (which, as…
Commentators quickly declared Benjamin “Benny” Gantz the winner in Israel’s election over incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu. While it seemed likely some Benjamin would emerge victorious, the race wasn’t really about the Benjamins (more about that next week), and Israel’s political system means there won’t be a clear “winner” for weeks. Understanding where we…
We’re practically raised to believe that debates impact election results in big ways. Millions watch, candidates spend countless hours preparing, media can’t stop talking, and writing, about them. And, after all, we’re taught debates are the way we should be making voting decisions. They’ve just got to be game changers. But they’re not. After the…
All three of the presidential candidates now leading the Democratic primary field are 70 years of age or older. Thirteen of the remaining candidates are 60 or under. These facts have been much written about, but do they matter? Are voters considering candidates’ ages as they decide for whom to cast their ballots? You might…
Two members of Congress recently complained that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is “in chaos.” Turmoil certainly ensued, but I’m not able to evaluate whether chaos reigned at the time it was alleged. One thing no one can argue with, though, is the success the committee has had putting House Democrats in a strong…
I’m in no position to judge the legal merits of whatever Robert Mueller says today, but the facts uncovered by the special counsel are clear: President Trump and his campaign colluded with Russia. Paul Manafort, in his capacity as campaign chairman and chief strategist, ordered Deputy Campaign Manager Richard Gates to share internal polling with a Russian who was…
As you might imagine, I have some pretty serious disagreements with “the squad” on issues of real importance (at least to me). But no policy differences could justify Donald Trump’s disgusting, racist, go-back-where-you-came-from diatribe. Indeed, President Trump initially cited no issue differences. It was straight out, inexcusable bigotry and xenophobia. Trump’s outburst, together with the weekend’s Immigration…
As you might imagine, I have some pretty serious disagreements with “the squad” on issues of real importance (at least to me). But no policy differences could justify Donald Trump’s disgusting, racist, go-back-where-you-came-from diatribe. Indeed, President Trump initially cited no issue differences. It was straight out, inexcusable bigotry and xenophobia. Trump’s outburst, together with the weekend’s Immigration…
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