What has America Talking?

The news topics that come up frequently in conversation have changed markedly in recent years: Far more people say they frequently discuss the job situation, the economy and political corruption with their family and friends than did so in 2006; by contrast, far fewer say that gas and energy prices, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorism come up frequently in conversation.

Notably, just 27% of the public says that political campaigns and elections come up frequently in conversation — the lowest percentage of 11 items tested. But fully half (51%) of those who agree with the Tea Party movement say politics is a frequent topic of their conversations.

In September 2006, just before the previous midterm election, gas and energy prices dominated conversations (75%), followed by the economy (54%) and the war in Iraq (54%).

Today, with the nation climbing out of a deep recession, the economy (68%) and the job situation (65%) are the top conversation topics. Four years ago, just 42% said they talked frequently with friends and family about the job situation.

Far fewer people are talking frequently about terrorism (47% to 32%) or war (54% to 36%) than did so in 2006. Currently, 56% say they frequently talk with friends and family about gas and energy prices, down 19 points from four years ago. Other issues, including immigration (37%), education (54%), health care (56%) and the environment (39%), remain near the levels they were at in the fall of 2006.

A greater percentage, however, say they talk frequently about corruption in government. Almost half of the public (49%) now say they frequently talk about this, up 13 points from September 2006 (36%).

Four years ago, as Democrats sought to take control of Congress, more Democrats (42%) and independents (38%) than Republicans (26%) said they frequently talked about corruption in government with friends and family. Today, as Republicans try to retake control, they are twice as likely as they were in 2006 to say they talk about corruption frequently (54%). Independents also are more likely to talk about this frequently (38% then to 53% now). Among Democrats, the percentage is essentially unchanged (42% to 43%).

Those who agree with the Tea Party movement, meanwhile, are much more likely than those who disagree to say they talk about corruption frequently (69% versus 46%).

Overall, 25% say they agree with the Tea Party movement, 18% disagree, while 57% either offer no opinion of the Tea Party movement (32%) or have not heard of the Tea Party (25%), according to findings from a survey released May 24 as part of the weekly Pew Research/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll.

Political campaigns and elections rank low on the list of news topics people discuss frequently (27%). More Republicans (40%) say they discuss this frequently with friends and neighbors than do Democrats (23%) or independents (26%), and those who say they agree with the Tea Party movement are much more likely to say they frequently discuss campaigns than do those who disagree with the Tea Party or those who have never heard of the movement or have no opinion of it.

For more information at http://people-press.org/>