State of the Nation

Crossing the 10% threshold, unemployment for the month of October reached 10.2%. This is the highest level of unemployment since April 1983. 190,000 jobs were cut during the month. Unemployment may have actually reached 20%, when taking into account people...

Who We Are

The dominant ideological group in the United States, based on self- identification, is conservatives. 40% of respondents identify themselves that way. Since 1992 there were two other years, 2003 and 2004, when self-described conservatives were the dominant ideological group. For...

2009 Elections

The 2009 elections can be read as a reflection of the continuing discontent among Americans. 85% or more of the voters in New Jersey and Virginia are "very worried" about the economy for the coming year. The elections can also...

President Obama

President Obama's overall job performance numbers have been relatively constant over the last several months. In addition to the surveys below, Gallup is showing 50/41% approval and CNN/OR is at 54.45%. NBC/WSJ NYT/CBS WP/ABC Obama overall job approval February 60/26%...

Healthcare: Could Christmas Eve Come and Go Without Completion of Healthcare?

As this is being written on November 5th, the U.S. House is planning to vote on its version of healthcare reform legislation on Saturday, November 7th. The Senate is not yet ready to bring its bill to the floor, but...

2010 Congressional Campaigns

In July, Gallup reported a generic (if the vote were held today) ballot in favor of the Democrats by 50% to 44%. In early October, that margin declined by 2 points 46% to 44%. This was a substanial fall from...

Select Cable / Broadcast Ratings

For some period of time earlier this year the White House staff became increasingly irritated with what it believed was unfair coverage of the Administration by the Fox News Channel. Beginning on October 8th with statements in Time Magazine, and...

Restaurant: Ben's Chili Bowl

Washington, D.C.: It is 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. You have eaten carefully for days on end, but suddenly you have an unquenchable "thirst" for an old fashioned egg sandwich. I headed to Ben's Chili Bowl.

Restaurant: Osteria Bibiania

Washington, D.C.: I first visited Bibiania with Marcia and Fred. I look forward to returning.