Gallup Poll - U.S. News

Lame-Duck Presidents Usually See Approval Ratings Rise

December 3, 2008
Historically, lame-duck presidents have received higher approval ratings in their last weeks in office than prior to the elections that chose their successors. George H.W. Bush (+22 points) and Ronald Reagan (+12) had the largest increases. George W. Bush’s rating has increased 4 points since the election.

Blacks as Conservative as Republicans on Some Moral Issues

December 3, 2008
Only 31% of black Democrats say homosexual relations are morally acceptable, much more conservative than the position of Democrats in general, despite the fact that the vast majority of blacks identify themselves as Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party.

Obama National Security Picks Get High Marks

December 2, 2008
Sixty-nine percent of Americans favor Barack Obama’s choice of Hillary Clinton for secretary of state and 80% approve of his decision to keep Robert Gates on as secretary of defense. More generally, 78% approve of the way Obama is handling his transition, a better rating than Bill Clinton or George W. Bush received.

Healthcare Access, Cost Are Top Health Concerns

December 1, 2008
A majority of Americans cite either access to healthcare (30%) or the cost of care (25%) as the most urgent health problem facing the country. This marks the sixth successive year that these two concerns have outweighed concerns about a specific medical disease or condition such as cancer, obesity, or AIDS.

Gallup Poll - World News

Tough Times in Export Economies of Developed Asia

December 2, 2008
The global economic crisis is exacting a hefty toll on export-reliant economies in developed Asia, where recession is either a threat or already reality. Gallup Polls in the region show consumer sentiment took a more negative turn after the global economic slump began in 2007.

Before Attacks, 55% of Indians OK With Anti-Terror Efforts

November 28, 2008
A Gallup Poll in India shows that before the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, a slim majority of Indians (55%) felt their government was doing enough to fight terrorism.

Russia’s Language Could Be Ticket in for Migrants

November 28, 2008
This year, the Russian Federal Migration Service reduced the quota of foreign laborers who can enter the country. Gallup finds positive attitudes toward learning the Russian language correlate with countries that have a high number of their residents temporarily working in Russia.

Opinion Briefing: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

November 26, 2008
Though about two-thirds of Israelis and Palestinians say they support the Mideast peace process, fewer than one-third among either population believe lasting peace will ever be achieved. That may present opportunities for Obama’s foreign policy team.

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Gallup Poll - Business News

This Week’s Jobless Claims Report May Surprise

December 2, 2008
Contrary to the current consensus estimate of 540,000 new weekly jobless claims, Gallup’s hiring measure suggests that Thursday’s Labor Department report will come in below the prior week’s reported 529,000.

Black Friday Briefly Suspends Spending Slowdown

December 2, 2008
Americans’ self-reported spending jumped on Black Friday, marking a sharp turnaround from the general drop during the past few weeks. Spending fell to more typical levels Saturday, providing faint hope that this holiday shopping season will be an exception to the overall weak economy.

Americans Remain Broadly Supportive of Labor Unions

December 1, 2008
The most recent Gallup Poll update on labor unions finds 59% of Americans saying they approve of labor unions, in line with recent years’ data. But the public remains rather divided as to whether U.S. labor unions should have more (35%), less (32%), or the same (28%) influence in the future as they have today.
  • Consumer Spending Spikes on Black Friday

    December 2, 2008
    Americans reported spending an average of $177 on Black Friday, which is well above the $109 average amount reportedly spent daily so far in 2008. However, Americans only reported spending $117 on Saturday.
  • All Signs Point to Low Expectations for Retailers

    November 28, 2008
    With highly negative consumer confidence levels, Americans increasingly worried about money, and estimated Christmas spending at an all-time low, this traditional shopping weekend is likely to be a tough one for retailers.
  • Americans Plan to Spend Less Than Ever This Christmas

    November 19, 2008
    Americans expect to spend an average of $616 on Christmas gifts this year, far less than the $866 Americans predicted they would spend on gifts at the same time last year and a record low in Gallup polling history.
  • Americans Torn on Support for Auto Bailout

    November 18, 2008
    Almost half (49%) of Americans oppose the federal government giving major financial assistance to the big three U.S. automotive companies, but 47% say they would favor the move.

Gallup Management Journal

News Flash: Workplace Socializing Is Productive

November 2008
Contrary to their every instinct, managers should actually encourage their workers to chit-chat, to gather around the water cooler -- even to gossip. An MIT researcher reveals why these guilty pleasures are, in fact, good for a company's productivity.

The Other $700 Billion Question

November 2008
There's a colossal issue facing the U.S. government that’s not garnering the same public awareness as the financial bailout. It’s hidden in the U.S. healthcare system, and it presents a $700 billion problem (or opportunity) for taxpayers.

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