2009-03-04-皮尤-States_Budget_Woes_Register_With_Public_13页_65kb

Summary of Pew Research Center News Interest Index Report (March 5, 2009)

Key Findings on Public Awareness

• Most Americans (57%) were aware of worsening state and local budget problems due to the recession.
• An identical majority (57%) was aware of the Obama administration's projection of a $1.75 trillion federal deficit.
• High awareness of other economic issues, such as General Motors' $30 billion losses (44% heard a lot) and the government's stake in Citigroup (40% heard a lot).

Media Coverage and Public Interest

• The economy was the dominant news story, capturing 34% of public interest and 26% of media coverage.
• Obama's budget proposal and first address to Congress were top stories, with 23% and 37% of the public following them very closely, respectively.
• Total news coverage of these topics accounted for 26% and 10% of the newshole, beating other stories like the Mexican drug war or Tiger Woods.

Changes in Obama's Image

• Overall, opinions of Barack Obama remained largely stable, with 23% more favorable and 20% less favorable in recent weeks.
• Republicans showed increasing criticism: 42% had less favorable opinions compared to 30% in early February.
• Democrats and independents saw more stable views, with Democrats shifting slightly in opinion.

Additional Insights

• The highly publicized CNBC critique of Obama's housing plan raised awareness for 21% but was minimal otherwise.
• Troop withdrawal from Iraq and Pentagon policies on media coverage attracted significant public and media attention, with 34% and 24% following them very closely, respectively.
• Economic crisis and Obama's policy responses remained central to public attention, with similar awareness levels to prior months during the recession's peak.