Fishlinger Center Studies
Fishlinger Optimism Index™
- Overall Optimism Increases in June
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent went to 65 in June from 59 in May 2019. The data collection period was largely before the Democratic Debates and G20 Meeting in a period of record stock market advances.
July 2019 - Overall Optimism Remains Flat
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent went to 59 in May from 58 in April 2019.
June 2019 - After the Redacted Mueller Report, Overall Optimism Remains Flat
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent went to 58 in April from 57 in March 2019.
May 2019 - Prior to the Attorney General’s Mueller Report Summary, Optimism Fell Dramatically
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent fell back to 57 in March from a high of 70 in February and 61 in January ’19. Please note that the data collection was largely completed before the issuance of the Attorney General’s summary of the Mueller Report.
April 2019 - Optimism Rises with the End of the Government Shutdown
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent rose to 70 in February versus 61 in January ’19.
March 2019 - Despite the Government Shutdown, Optimism Stayed Leveled in January
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, stayed at 61 in January 2019 same as November and December 2018.
February 2019 - Prior to Government Shutdown and Latest Stock Market Corrections, President’s Support Remains Stable
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, stayed at 61 in December, same as in November.
January 2019 - Post Midterm Elections, Optimism Fell Slightly in November
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent went from 64 in October to 61 in November of 2018.
December 2018 - Optimism Rose Dramatically in October
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, went from 54 in September to 64 in October 2018.
November 2018 - Americans’ Optimism Falls Dramatically in September
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent went from 60 in August to 54 in September 2018.
October 2018 - Guilty Plea from Cohen and Conviction on Ten Counts for Manafort Have Not Affected Overall American Optimism
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, went from 59 in July to 60 in August 2018.
August 2018 - Tariffs, NATO, and Putin Take Their Toll on Optimism in July
Perceptions of national leadership fall dramatically
August 2018 - Optimism Rises Again with the North Korea Signing
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, increased from 60 in May to 63 in June 2018.
July 2018 - Overall Optimism Raises Slightly but Perceptions of World Affairs and Federal Policy Decline in May
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent from 58 in April to 60 in May 2018.
June 2018 - Optimism Rises in April
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent from 56 in March to 58 in April 2018.
May 2018 - Optimism Falls in March
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent fell from 59 in February to 56 in March ’18.
April 2018 - National Leadership and Personal Prosperity Fall in February
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™, a breakthrough measurement of public opinion centered on Americans’ optimism about the future from the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent fell slightly from 61 in January to 59 in February ’18.
March 2018 - Optimism Fell Significantly in 2017 but Personal Prosperity is Lifting it in January
Optimism fell from 72 in November-December 2016 to 56 in November-December 2017 and then rose to 61 in January 2018.
February 2018 - Optimism for President Trump Drops Significantly in 2017
True for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Same true for satisfaction with current performance.
December 2017 - Perceptions of National Leadership and Federal Policy Fell Dramatically in 2017
December 2017 - Revelations of Sexual Harassment Trigger Optimism for Social Progress
December 2017 - Direction of the Country Improves Slightly but Satisfaction with President Trump Remains Low
November 2017 - The Fishlinger Optimism Index Levels Off
November 2017 - Direction of the Country and Satisfaction with President Trump Remains at a Low Level
October 2017 - The Fishlinger Optimism Index Recovers from Historic Low
October 2017 - More Americans Believe the Country is on the Wrong Track
September 2017 - The Fishlinger Optimism Index Hits Historic Low
September 2017 - Obama’s Last Year vs. Trump’s First Six Months: Country Continues on the Wrong Track
August 2017 - Six Months After Trump Takes Office, Optimism About the Future Falls Further
August 2017 - Democrats and Independents: Country Headed Down Wrong Track
July 2017 - Trump Optimism Dropped Significantly in First Half of 2017
July 2017 - The Fishlinger Optimism Index: Americans More Optimistic About Social Progress in June
July 2017 - Optimism About Trump Falls in May
June 2017 - Americans Significantly Less Optimistic About National Leadership in May
June 2017 - Americans More Optimistic About National Leadership, Social Progress, and Prosperity
May 2017 - Fishlinger Optimism Index: Americans’ Concerns About Federal Policy, National Leadership Grows
April 2017 - Fishlinger Optimism Index™: More Americans Satisfied With Obama Than Optimistic about Trump
April 2017 - The February Fishlinger Optimism Index™ Suggests Americans Less Optimistic About Future
March 2017 - New Fishlinger Center Optimism Index™ Shows Americans Increasingly Concerned about National Leadership and Social Progress
March 2017
Fishlinger Landmark Studies
- Fishlinger Priorities Segmentation Study
Optimism fell dramatically last year among President Trump’s most ardent supporters
January 2018 - New Landmark Fishlinger Priorities Segmentation Study
Issues and Problems: Americans’ Priorities and Expectations
January 2018 - Fishlinger Center Landmark Study of Social Issues – Human Trafficking: Involuntary Servitude!
October 2015
Social Issues
- Responsibility for the Environment: Individuals or the Government?
March 2016 - The Problem of Drug Addiction in the United States
March 2016 - Lack of Opportunities in Higher Education: Fault of the Individual or Society?
March 2016 - Domestic Violence: More than Physical Abuse
February 2016 - Society or the Individual: Root Causes of Poverty in America
January 2016 - Affordable Health Care: A Right or a Privilege?
January 2016
Politics of Social Issues
- Support for the President Holds Steady in June
Slight gain in likelihood President Donald Trump would remain in office for the remainder of this term.
July 2019 - Fishlinger Election 2020 Barometer–June 2019
Before the Democratic debates, Biden weakens and Harris gains
July 2019 - Support for the President Softens Slightly in May
Slight fall in likelihood President Donald Trump would remain in office for the remainder of this term.
June 2019 - Fishlinger Election 2020 Barometer – April 2019
Among Democrats, Joe Biden holds his lead. Bernie Sanders slides significantly and Cory Booker enters and bumps Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris from the news cycle.
June 2019 - Support for the President Increases since the Mueller Redacted Report
- Rise in likelihood he would remain in office for the remainder of this term.
May 2019 - Fishlinger Election 2020 Barometer – April 2019
Joe Biden enters and increases his lead. Kamala Harris rises, Pete Buttigieg enters with a splash.
May 2019 - Support for the President Has Softened in the First Quarter of 2019
Undoubtedly, the government shutdown and heightened activity in the Mueller investigation have contributed to this pattern.
April 2019 - Election 2020—March 2019
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are the early leaders for the Democratic nomination with Beto O’Rourke moving up to third position, followed by Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris falling back into the pack.
April 2019 - Election 2020
Joe Biden continues as the early leader for Democratic nomination followed by Bernie Sanders with Kamala Harris moving up in third position.
March 2019 - Race and Upward Mobility
A recent Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research poll has analyzed upward mobility and race.
February 2019 - Population Is Equally Divided on Undocumented Immigrants
Opinion is polarized by political party with Independents equally divided.
February 2019 - Election 2020
With a broad field just forming, Joe Biden is the early leader for Democratic nomination followed by others with name recognition.
February 2019 - Support for the President Softens in January 2019
Undoubtedly, the government shutdown and heightened activity in the Mueller investigation contributed to this pattern.
February 2019 - Prior to Government Shutdown and Latest Stock Market Corrections, President’s Support Remains Stable
A majority feel he should remain in office this term
January 2019 - Midterm Elections Turnout Hits Record 49%
The Fishlinger Center forecast was 44-48% within a percentage point.
December 2018 - Post Midterm Elections, the President’s Support Increased Slightly
An approximately equal number of people feel he should and should not remain in office this term.
December 2018 - President’s Support Remains with About Half of Americans
An approximately equal number feel he should and should not remain in office this term.
November 2018 - Midterm Turnout Could Hit the Mid-Forties
A week before the election, “ceteris paribus” (other things being equal), the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent projects that turnout for the midterm congressional elections could hit the mid-forties as a percent of eligible voters (44-46%).
October 2018 - Midterm Voting Intentions in September Stabilize at About Two Thirds of U.S. Adults
Based on those states with midterm elections in 2018.
October 2018 - Republican Midterm Voting Intentions Increase in August
Based on those States with midterm elections in 2014, and those with midterm elections in 2018.
September 2018 - President’s Support Falls Significantly
A small majority now feel he should not remain in office this term
October 2018 - Increase in Midterm Voting Likely for Democrats
Early results from a July 2018 Fishlinger Poll suggest that there could be a rise in midterm elections voting for Democrats and Independents for both the Senate and House of Representatives.
July 2018 - Climate Change and Global Warming Considered Serious Issues
Prior to Earth Day, big gap between perceived global warming and satisfaction with current policy
May 2018 - Population Divided on Whether Teachers Should Carry Concealed Loaded Guns in Schools
A week before the March for Our Lives in Washington, two thirds of the US population feel that “gun control” laws in the US are only fair or poor.
April 2018 - Perceptions of U.S. Environmental Policy Lag Behind Many Other Countries
The U.S. falls in the middle in ratings of Environmental Policy
March 2018 - Introducing the Fishlinger Presidential Meter
The Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent is introducing a new report, the Fishlinger Presidential Meter.
July 2018 - Two Thirds of Americans Feel Marijuana for Recreational Use Should Be Legalized in the United States
Eighty percent feel it should be legalized for medical use.
June 2018 - The Country Remains Divided Evenly on the Desired Tenure of the President Trump
The Michael Cohen guilty plea and the Paul Manafort conviction do not appear to have had an effect yet.
August 2018 - Perceived Coverage of “Human Trafficking” Pales Compared to that of “Sexual Harassment”
Coverage of “sexual harassment” is more likely to be perceived as exaggerated when compared to that for “human trafficking”
February 2018 - She Says ‘No’ but Will or Should Oprah Run for President?
A third of the people said they would like Oprah Winfrey to run for President of the United States
February 2018 - Americans Associate “Human Trafficking” with Sex Slavery and Think It Is Not Accurately Covered
December 2017 - Country Remains on Wrong Track and Satisfaction with President Trump Continues to be Low
December 2017 - Americans Associate “Opioids” with Addiction and the Majority Feel the Issue is not Accurately Covered
December 2017 - First 100 Days: Satisfaction with Trump Significantly Trails Still-High Obama Levels
May 2017 - Public Sentiment Post-Inauguration
February 2017 - Public Sentiment Pre-Inauguration
January 2017 - Public Sentiment at the End of 2016
January 2017 - Presidential Election 2016: A Retrospective
December 2016 - Election 2016 – Race Tightens Before the Final Drive to Election Day
November 2016 - Election 2016 – Before the F.B.I. Disclosure, Hillary Clinton was Leading and Most Voters Expect to See Her Win
October 2016 - Election 2016 – Presidential Race Tightens Ahead of the First Debate
September 2016 - Election 2016– Post-Convention: Heading Toward the Home Stretch before Labor Day
September 2016 - Election 2016–Americans’ Views on the Election Process and Campaign Funding
August 2016 - Election 2016 – Pre-Conventions: The Electorate is Dissatisfied and Polarized
July 2016 - Election 2016 – Americans View the Candidates: Are They Qualified, Likable, Honest?
February 2016 - Election 2016: Who Do Americans Think Will Win?
January 2016