Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Water Cooler Not the Place for Politics

Politics may dominate discussion on cable news, talk radio and life itself to many in Washington, but most Americans are not joining the conversation. In a late May poll, only a quarter of the public (27%) said that political campaigns and elections come up frequently in conversation. In fact, political campaigns and elections rank last on a list of 11 news topics people discuss frequently with family and friends.Among partisans, Republicans are the most likely to say they often discuss politics; 40% say political campaigns and elections come up frequently in conversation. Both Democrats (23%) and independents (26%) are much less likely to bring up campaigns and elections around the water cooler. Those who agree with the Tea Party movement (51%) are also far more likely to be talking campaigns and elections with friends and family than are those who disagree (31%). Read More