We Should Hang Out More
Movies often serve as perfect time capsules, offering snapshots of what life was like in an earlier time. Take Dazed and Confused. The movie is set in late seventies Texas and focuses on groups of ... Read Now >
Opinion
NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll Results & Analysis: The Trump Legacy & Biden Administration
January 19, 2021
Marist Poll Results & Analysis: 2020 & 2021
December 15, 2020
In a year rocked by a pandemic, racial strife, and a historic presidential election, 51% of Americans consider the coronavirus pandemic to be the most significant event of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic surpasses other groundbreaking and notable events that occurred during the last year. The presidential election (27%) places a distant second. The shutdown of the economy (13%) and the outcry for racial justice (7%) follow.
Black Americans (66%), Democrats (63%), and Americans under the age of 30 (63%) are more likely than any other demographic group to perceive the pandemic as the most impactful event of 2020. Among Republicans, a plurality (37%) say the presidential election was the most consequential, though a similar 35% of the GOP think the coronavirus pandemic is the most noteworthy.
Despite (or, perhaps, because of) the trials and tribulations of 2020, a majority of Americans (56%) are more optimistic than pessimistic (38%) about what is ahead for the world in 2021. Americans are slightly less optimistic than in 2019 and 2018 when 60% reported optimism for the New Year. Democrats (77%) and Black Americans (70%) are the most optimistic while Republicans (53%) are the most pessimistic.
Marist Poll Results & Analysis: Annoying Word or Phrase
For the twelfth consecutive year, Americans consider whatever (47%) to be the most annoying word or phrase used in conversation. Whatever outpaces like (19%) by more than two-to-one followed by in my opinion with 13%. In this era of virtual meetings, you’re on mute receives 9%. Another 9% select actually.
Whatever (34%) also topped last year’s list of annoying words and phrases which included no offense, but (20%), dude (16%), literally (14%), and please wait, I’ll be right with you (9%).
Those age 45 or older (53%) are more likely to loathe whatever than those under the age of 45 (39%).
National consensus exists on the dislike of the word. Regardless of region of residence, whatever is thought to be the most annoying word or phrase around: 54% in the Northeast, 51% in the West, 45% in the South, and 40% in the Midwest. Women (52%) are more likely than men (42%) to abhor whatever.
NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll Results & Analysis: Sports Findings
December 10, 2020
Fans Cautious About Sports Amid Pandemic
American sports fans are acutely aware of the threat the coronavirus poses to athletes and spectators, and they urge leagues and teams to proceed with caution.
A majority of fans (56%) say people should not be playing indoor team sports such as basketball, and the same proportion (56%) report they are concerned or very concerned that competing in these indoor sports could spread the virus within their own communities. Similar proportions of Americans, overall, agree.
Beyond their own backyards, fans want the NFL to assess how the Super Bowl may be experienced this year. Nearly half (49%) think fans should not be allowed to attend the game. An additional 34% say they should be permitted but only with restrictions. And, it’s not just the Super Bowl. Fans want leagues to “pump the brakes” on sports attendance in general. Most sports fans believe attending indoor sporting events should not be permitted at all (46%) or should be allowed only with restrictions (36%). In fact, nearly six in ten fans and Americans, alike, (58%) assert government officials should be allowed to place restrictions on playing indoor team sports.
As in our October poll on sports viewing habits, there are large political divisions. Those who identify as Republican are less likely to advocate for restrictions. For example, 83% of Democrats report the government should be able to place restrictions on indoor play, while only 28% of Republicans agree. Independents (61%) split the difference. Geographically, there are some divisions as well. Notably, while residents in the Northeast are more likely than those in the South to support government restrictions, a majority, regardless of region, favor regulations.
“The results show that different demographics are aware of their risks for the virus, and how sports are played, not in a vacuum, but in their local communities,” says Jane McManus, the Director of the Center for Sports Communication.
Women, a group sports leagues have been cultivating as viewers, are more likely to advocate for a cautious approach, as were Baby Boomers and their elders. 60% of those 74 or older, a group that is particularly vulnerable to coronavirus, express concern that indoor team sports played locally will lead to community spread.
“Interestingly, compared with other generations, GenZ/Millennials (51%) are more likely to report being not very concerned or not concerned at all about indoor sports leading to community spread, but they are the most in favor of not allowing fan attendance at either indoor sporting events (52%) or the Super Bowl (55%),“ says Dr. Zachary Arth, Assistant Professor of Sports Communication at Marist College.
Non-white residents are more likely than white residents to say that sports should be restricted.
“The responses of people of color also reflect the outsized effect the virus has had on their communities,” notes Jane McManus, the Director of the Center for Sports Communication.