Inflation Tops Russia-Ukraine War As Most Urgent Issue In U.S., Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 52% Disapprove Of GOP Senators' Handling Of Ketanji Brown Jackson Hearings
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More than a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, inflation eclipses the war in Ukraine as the nation's most urgent issue. Americans say inflation (30 percent) is the most urgent issue facing the country today, followed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine (14 percent), and then immigration (9 percent), according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of adults released today.
There are large differences along party lines. Among Republicans, the top issues are inflation (39 percent), immigration (19 percent), and Russia's invasion of Ukraine (13 percent). Among Democrats, the top issues are Russia's invasion of Ukraine (16 percent), inflation (15 percent), and election laws (13 percent). Among independents, the top issues are inflation (37 percent), Russia's invasion of Ukraine (13 percent), followed by climate change (8 percent) and immigration (8 percent).
GAS PRICES
When Americans were asked what they think is most responsible for the recent rise in gas prices, they say:
- the Biden administration's economic policies: 41 percent;
- the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia: 24 percent;
- oil companies charging more: 24 percent;
- the rise in demand as the coronavirus pandemic eases: 5 percent.
Among Republicans, they say:
- the Biden administration's economic policies: 82 percent;
- the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia: 9 percent;
- oil companies charging more: 7 percent;
- the rise in demand as the coronavirus pandemic eases: 2 percent.
Among Democrats, they say:
- the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia: 41 percent;
- oil companies charging more: 41 percent;
- the rise in demand as the coronavirus pandemic eases: 10 percent;
- the Biden administration's economic policies: 3 percent.
Among independents, they say:
- the Biden administration's economic policies: 39 percent;
- the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia: 25 percent;
- oil companies charging more: 23 percent;
- the rise in demand as the coronavirus pandemic eases: 5 percent.
"What is more responsible when topping off the tank hurts? A raging war launched from Moscow, or an economic policy constructed in D.C.? More Americans say blame falls on the latter," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
Roughly one-third (35 percent) of Americans say they have cut back their spending on groceries so they can pay for gas, while 64 percent say they have not.
Thirty percent of Americans say they have changed their summer vacation plans as a result of gas prices, while 67 percent say they have not.
BIDEN
Americans give President Joe Biden a negative 36 - 55 percent job approval rating with 10 percent not offering an opinion.
Registered voters give him a negative 38 - 55 percent job approval rating with 7 percent not offering an opinion.
On his handling of the economy, Americans give Biden a negative 34 - 58 percent job approval rating.
While 44 percent of Americans approve of President Biden's handling of the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 45 percent disapprove.
Americans think (51 - 40 percent) that President Biden has not demonstrated strong leadership in his dealings with NATO in regard to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
RUSSIA & UKRAINE
Thirty-nine percent of Americans are either very optimistic (6 percent) or somewhat optimistic (33 percent) that diplomacy will bring an end to Russia's war on Ukraine, while 57 percent are not so optimistic (27 percent) or not optimistic at all (30 percent) that diplomacy will bring an end to Russia's war on Ukraine.
A majority of Americans (53 percent) are either very concerned (20 percent) or somewhat concerned (33 percent) that Russia will launch a nuclear weapon at the United States, while 47 percent say they are not so concerned (26 percent) or not concerned at all (21 percent) that Russia will launch a nuclear weapon at the United States.
"Talk won't do it, say Americans who envision diplomacy as a fruitless attempt to end the war. And the fear of the worst-case outcome is clear in the numbers. More than half of Americans are concerned Russia will target the U.S. homeland with a nuclear weapon," added Malloy.
A majority of Americans (54 percent) think public figures in the United States who express admiration for Vladimir Putin are being unpatriotic, while 33 percent do not think that.
KETANJI BROWN JACKSON
Americans say 51 - 30 percent that the U.S. Senate should confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, while 19 percent did not offer an opinion.
Americans disapprove 52 - 27 percent of the way Republican Senators are handling the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, while 21 percent did not offer an opinion.
On the other hand, Americans approve 42 - 34 percent of the way Democratic Senators are handling the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, while 23 percent did not offer an opinion.
A vast majority of Americans (72 percent) think the process of confirming Supreme Court Justices is too political, while 21 percent do not think that.
"Yes, Ketanji Brown Jackson should be the next member of the Supreme Court, say a slight majority of Americans. And yes, the freewheeling confirmation hearings got too political," added Malloy.
1,462 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from March 24th - 28th with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll
Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.
Poll Questions
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Question 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 36% 4% 79% 32% 30% 41% 50% 26% Disapprove 55 92 13 56 60 49 43 68 DK/NA 10 4 8 12 10 10 7 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 27% 33% 40% 44% 28% 37% 33% 63% 32% Disapprove 57 58 53 51 66 55 60 22 54 DK/NA 16 8 7 6 5 7 6 16 14 Mltry Hshld Approve 31% Disapprove 64 DK/NA 5 -
Question 1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president? COMBINED WITH: (If approve/disapprove q1) Do you strongly or somewhat approve/disapprove?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve strongly 20% 2% 50% 14% 15% 25% 27% 13% Approve smwht 15 1 27 17 15 15 22 12 Disapprove smwht 9 7 8 11 10 9 7 8 Disapprove strongly 45 85 5 44 49 40 36 59 DK/NA 11 5 11 14 11 11 8 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve strongly 7% 13% 26% 33% 11% 23% 17% 40% 16% Approve smwht 20 18 12 10 16 15 15 20 13 Disapprove smwht 19 10 5 4 9 7 8 5 13 Disapprove strongly 37 48 48 45 56 48 52 16 41 DK/NA 17 11 9 8 7 8 7 18 17 Mltry Hshld Approve strongly 16% Approve smwht 14 Disapprove smwht 7 Disapprove strongly 56 DK/NA 6 -
Question 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling - the economy?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 34% 4% 75% 32% 29% 39% 46% 25% Disapprove 58 95 15 59 63 53 48 70 DK/NA 8 1 10 9 8 8 6 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 28% 30% 39% 43% 26% 37% 32% 62% 29% Disapprove 58 62 58 54 70 57 63 25 56 DK/NA 14 9 4 4 4 6 5 13 15 -
Question 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 44% 15% 81% 43% 41% 46% 57% 33% Disapprove 45 77 14 44 48 41 36 57 DK/NA 12 8 5 12 11 13 7 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 40% 42% 45% 47% 37% 43% 40% 58% 44% Disapprove 45 48 47 42 54 47 50 29 38 DK/NA 14 10 8 11 9 10 9 13 17 Mltry Hshld Approve 32% Disapprove 57 DK/NA 11 -
Question 4. In your opinion, what is the most urgent issue facing the country today: Russia's invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19, inflation, unemployment, climate change, health care, racial inequality, immigration, election laws, the Supreme Court, or crime?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Russia/Ukraine 14% 13% 16% 13% 12% 15% 22% 15% COVID-19 3 2 5 2 3 3 1 3 Inflation 30 39 15 37 35 26 28 32 Unemployment 2 4 1 2 3 2 - 3 Climate change 7 1 12 8 7 7 10 6 Health care 6 2 11 6 6 7 6 7 Racial inequality 5 1 8 6 5 5 5 3 Immigration 9 19 1 8 9 9 6 10 Election laws 7 3 13 6 6 9 9 7 Supreme Court 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 1 Crime 5 5 5 4 4 6 3 5 SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 7 7 8 4 8 6 5 6 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 1 4 3 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Russia/Ukraine 12% 11% 15% 21% 14% 20% 17% 5% 12% COVID-19 4 3 2 4 1 3 2 7 2 Inflation 34 40 28 19 35 27 31 26 31 Unemployment 4 1 4 1 3 1 2 - 4 Climate change 10 6 6 7 6 8 7 4 6 Health care 8 6 6 5 6 7 6 8 4 Racial inequality 10 5 4 2 3 4 3 11 7 Immigration 4 6 11 12 10 8 9 2 12 Election laws 3 7 8 10 7 8 7 9 6 Supreme Court 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 1 Crime 4 6 6 6 5 4 5 8 7 SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 6 7 6 7 6 5 6 10 6 DK/NA 1 1 4 4 2 4 3 7 2 -
Question 5. Which of the following do you think is the most responsible for the recent rise in gas prices: oil companies charging more; the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia; the Biden administration's economic policies; or the rise in demand as the coronavirus pandemic eases?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Oil companies charging more 24% 7% 41% 23% 21% 27% 27% 20% War in Ukraine/ Russia sanctions 24 9 41 25 21 26 24 19 Biden admin. economic policies 41 82 3 39 47 35 34 55 Rise in demand as pandemic eases 5 2 10 5 5 5 9 3 DK/NA 6 1 5 7 5 7 6 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Oil companies charging more 27% 20% 28% 21% 19% 24% 22% 37% 24% War in Ukraine/ Russia sanctions 31 24 18 24 17 23 20 34 27 Biden admin. economic policies 33 44 44 41 55 42 48 8 39 Rise in demand as pandemic eases 4 5 6 7 5 5 5 11 4 DK/NA 5 7 3 7 4 6 5 10 6 -
Question 6. As a result of the rise in gas prices, have you cut back your spending on groceries so that you can pay for gas, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 35% 46% 22% 36% 33% 36% 20% 41% No 64 53 77 63 64 63 80 58 DK/NA 2 1 2 1 3 1 - 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 40% 33% 39% 26% 33% 35% 34% 33% 39% No 58 65 61 72 65 65 65 66 55 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 - 1 1 5 -
Question 7. As a result of gas prices, have you - changed your summer vacation plans?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 30% 41% 16% 31% 32% 29% 19% 38% No 67 55 82 67 66 68 78 59 DK/NA 3 4 2 2 2 3 2 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 28% 34% 33% 27% 31% 32% 32% 24% 30% No 70 63 66 70 67 64 65 73 69 DK/NA 2 2 1 3 2 4 3 3 2 -
Question 8. Do you think Joe Biden has demonstrated strong leadership in his dealings with NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in regard to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Has demonstrated 40% 8% 82% 39% 35% 45% 55% 28% No 51 84 13 52 57 46 38 66 DK/NA 9 8 5 9 8 9 7 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Has demonstrated 34% 38% 44% 49% 33% 40% 37% 71% 39% No 54 54 51 45 62 53 57 18 47 DK/NA 12 8 4 6 6 6 6 10 14 Mltry Hshld Yes/Has demonstrated 31% No 63 DK/NA 6 -
Question 9. As the crisis has deepened in Ukraine, are you paying more attention, less attention, or about the same amount of attention to media coverage of the war in Ukraine?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No More 38% 38% 44% 38% 37% 40% 38% 38% Less 11 13 7 10 11 11 8 11 About the same 48 46 47 49 48 47 52 49 DK/NA 3 3 2 2 4 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp More 33% 36% 40% 47% 36% 39% 38% 44% 38% Less 13 15 7 6 11 10 10 12 11 About the same 53 48 48 43 50 50 50 39 45 DK/NA 1 2 4 4 3 1 2 5 5 Mltry Hshld More 39% Less 9 About the same 48 DK/NA 3 -
Question 10. How optimistic are you that diplomacy will bring an end to Russia's war on Ukraine; very optimistic, somewhat optimistic, not so optimistic, or not optimistic at all?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very optimistic 6% 2% 12% 6% 7% 5% 4% 3% Somewhat optimistic 33 30 44 30 29 37 36 31 Not so optimistic 27 26 29 26 26 28 33 26 Not optimist. at all 30 39 13 34 34 26 23 36 DK/NA 4 3 2 4 3 5 4 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very optimistic 6% 8% 5% 4% 3% 3% 3% 14% 5% Somewhat optimistic 36 27 32 37 29 35 32 35 40 Not so optimistic 28 28 24 28 28 29 28 18 30 Not optimist. at all 25 34 36 26 38 27 32 29 19 DK/NA 4 3 2 4 3 6 4 3 6 Mltry Hshld Very optimistic 5% Somewhat optimistic 27 Not so optimistic 25 Not optimist. at all 39 DK/NA 4 -
Question 11. Do you think public figures in the United States who express admiration for Vladimir Putin are being unpatriotic, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Unpatriotic 54% 50% 73% 49% 50% 58% 68% 54% No 33 35 22 38 37 29 22 34 DK/NA 13 15 5 12 13 13 10 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Unpatriotic 50% 48% 60% 64% 53% 63% 58% 47% 51% No 39 40 30 24 35 26 30 40 34 DK/NA 11 12 11 12 12 11 12 13 15 Mltry Hshld Yes/Unpatriotic 52% No 36 DK/NA 12 -
Question 12. How concerned are you that Russia will launch a nuclear weapon at the United States; very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned, or not concerned at all?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very concerned 20% 21% 20% 21% 15% 25% 9% 21% Somewhat concerned 33 35 34 31 26 40 38 36 Not so concerned 26 21 30 27 29 22 35 22 Not concerned at all 21 23 15 21 29 12 18 20 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 - - AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very concerned 14% 22% 18% 27% 11% 22% 17% 31% 24% Somewhat concerned 29 29 35 39 30 44 37 23 27 Not so concerned 35 24 24 20 30 23 26 31 22 Not concerned at all 22 23 22 14 29 11 20 14 24 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 - - 1 3 Mltry Hshld Very concerned 18% Somewhat concerned 32 Not so concerned 28 Not concerned at all 22 DK/NA 1 -
Question 13. Have you done anything recently to protect yourself or your family against potential cyberattacks by Russia, such as having more cash on hand or taking extra security steps on digital devices?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 33% 36% 26% 41% 33% 32% 28% 34% No 64 61 72 57 66 63 70 63 DK/NA 3 4 3 2 1 5 2 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 33% 33% 32% 30% 33% 32% 33% 35% 27% No 65 63 66 67 65 65 65 62 66 DK/NA 2 4 2 3 1 3 2 3 7 -
Question 14. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, have you found yourself more inclined to turn to religious or spiritual practices, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 17% 21% 17% 15% 11% 22% 14% 16% No 81 78 80 83 87 76 85 82 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 10% 14% 19% 25% 12% 19% 15% 31% 17% No 90 83 79 70 86 80 83 66 82 DK/NA 1 2 1 4 3 1 2 4 1 -
Question 15. As you may know, President Biden has nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Do you think the U.S. Senate should confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Should 51% 21% 84% 54% 48% 54% 67% 40% No 30 60 5 27 36 25 24 39 DK/NA 19 19 11 19 16 22 9 21 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Should 50% 48% 57% 52% 45% 51% 48% 74% 49% No 27 29 35 28 42 28 35 14 26 DK/NA 23 23 8 19 13 21 17 11 25 -
Question 16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way - Republican Senators are handling the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 27% 52% 8% 25% 34% 20% 27% 31% Disapprove 52 26 78 54 46 57 58 46 DK/NA 21 23 14 21 20 23 15 23 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 21% 28% 30% 29% 37% 24% 30% 9% 24% Disapprove 49 50 56 54 45 53 49 73 47 DK/NA 30 21 14 17 17 23 20 17 28 -
Question 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way - Democratic Senators are handling the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 42% 20% 76% 37% 38% 46% 56% 32% Disapprove 34 58 8 37 39 30 28 43 DK/NA 23 22 16 26 23 24 16 24 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 38% 42% 47% 44% 34% 44% 40% 56% 45% Disapprove 32 33 38 34 46 32 39 25 24 DK/NA 30 25 15 23 20 23 22 19 31 -
Question 18. Do you think that the process of confirming Supreme Court Justices is too political, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Too political 72% 71% 75% 74% 73% 71% 86% 72% No 21 25 19 20 22 21 11 23 DK/NA 7 4 6 6 6 8 3 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Too political 60% 68% 78% 82% 77% 75% 76% 59% 71% No 32 25 19 11 19 20 19 26 22 DK/NA 8 7 4 7 4 6 5 16 7 -
Question 19. As you may know, there is a surge of COVID-19 cases in Asia and cases are also climbing in Europe. Are you concerned that there will be another COVID-19 surge in the United States, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Concerned 51% 32% 74% 53% 43% 59% 56% 46% No 46 66 24 43 54 38 43 51 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 3 1 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Concerned 52% 49% 51% 57% 39% 58% 49% 61% 53% No 44 50 47 40 60 38 48 37 40 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 1 3 2 2 6