Short Reads

Republicans were 21 percentage points more likely than Democrats last fall to very closely follow news about the investigation into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Just 44% of those under 30 know that the Roe v. Wade ruling dealt with abortion, compared with 62% of all adults.

With a 74 point partisan gap, Barack Obama starts his second term with a lower approval rating than other presidents – except for George W. Bush.

About eight-in-ten blacks said in a 2009 poll that more changes were needed in the country to give them equal rights with whites.

The number of adults who say they frequently encounter people using cell phones in a loud and annoying manner has dropped 11 percentage points since 2006.

In mid-2010, religious attire and other symbols were regulated in 57 countries, up from 21 countries in mid-2007.

Just over six-in-ten people in France believe it is sometimes necessary to use military force to maintain order in the world.

Negative views of the Supreme Court increased after last June’s health care ruling and at 36% were largely unchanged in December.

In December, more than six-in-ten Americans continued to say the U.S. does not have a responsibility to do something about fighting in Syria.

In 2012, about three-in-ten Americans 25 and older had completed at least a bachelor’s degree.