Publications

Stephanie C. Boddie, Allen Hertzke and Mehtab S. Karim to expand Pew Forum’s areas of research and expertise Washington, D.C.—Stephanie C. Boddie, Allen Hertzke and Mehtab S. Karim have joined the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and will be conducting in-depth research in several new areas. The Pew Forum is expanding its research […]

The 2008 race for the White House has once again seen intensifying complaints about media bias, most recently from the McCain camp. The charges have ranged from liberalism, to sexism, and more. A new PEJ review offers an historical perspective on the evolution of the tenuous relationship between press and political leaders.

From Jefferson to Palin, politicians of the left and right have blamed the media for public discontent with their policies, politics or personal behavior.

Summary of Findings Strong majorities of the public say the press has been fair to John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But fewer than four-in-ten (38%) say the press has been fair to Sarah Palin. Many more believe the press has been too tough on Palin (38%) than say it has been too easy […]

While strong majorities feel the press has been fair to John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as many people say the press has been too tough on the governor of Alaska (38%) as say it has been fair (38%). Republicans overwhelmingly believe the press has been too hard on Palin (63%).

Virtually no Democrats (2%) currently rate the nation's economy as good or excellent, but Republicans are scarcely more upbeat.

Views of Obama are more favorable than were opinions of John Kerry at a comparable time in the 2004 election cycle.

Half of registered voters choose Obama on taxes.

McCain leads among voters ages 65 and older.

Out of 24 countries surveyed, Americans (53%) are the least supportive of international trade.