Samantha Smith

Two decades ago, Gen Xers, then in their teens and 20s, stood out for their lack of confidence in the nation’s prospects. And two decades before that, Boomers were less bullish than their elders in assessing America's future.

Perhaps no measure better captures the public’s sentiment toward the president than job approval. It dates back to the earliest days of public opinion polling, when George Gallup asked about Franklin D. Roosevelt starting in the 1930s.

When GOP presidential candidates meet in Las Vegas tonight for their sixth debate, terrorism, foreign policy and national security are expected to be major topics.

Americans pull no punches when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow citizens.

Americans are deeply cynical about government, politics and the nation's leaders.

The rise in frustration, especially this year, is largely concentrated among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents critical of their party.

A new 40-nation Pew Research Center survey finds that concern over Iran’s nuclear program is greater in the United States and Israel than among other global publics.

Six years ago, when the legislation was still being debated, 61% of Democrats and just 12% of Republicans favored the proposal. In the five years since the ACA became law, those differences have endured.