What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week of October 12

Fewer than 30% have been saying all year that the country is headed in the right direction, and voters have some pretty definite ideas on what needs to be done. But rather than discuss the issues, too often political candidates go negative.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of Americans think there are more negative ads this election cycle compared to past years. Most adults believe those ads backfire and make them less likely to vote for the candidate who puts them out. But clearly the politicians think the attack ads work because they keep producing them.

Fifty-six percent (56%) say it is possible for a candidate to win an election without criticizing his or her opponent. Of course, it doesn’t help that 63% believe the media reports more on negative campaigning than on issues raised by candidates.

No wonder fewer voters than ever think either major political party has a plan for the nation’s future, with most still convinced that neither represents the American people.

Democrats have a two-point lead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot, but the weekly gap between the two parties has generally been two points or less most weeks this year.

Here are our latest numbers for the Senate races in North Carolina and Texas and the governor’s races in Maine, Georgia and Minnesota.  Check our latest election update video. 

Unlike many of those running for office, what most Americans continue to hold a negative view of is the federal government, and they want less of it in their lives. 

Just 25% of Americans now trust the government.

We’ve found this trust deficit in other surveys. Sixty percent (60%) don’t trust the federal government to fairly enforce gun control laws, which doesn't help those seeking stricter regulation of firearms.

Similarly, 57% of voters favor a comprehensive immigration reform plan that would give legal status to those who entered the country illegally but have otherwise obeyed the law – if the border is really secured to prevent future illegal immigration. The problem for immigration reformers is that only 33% think it’s even somewhat likely that the federal government will actually secure the border, with seven percent (7%) who say it’s Very Likely. 

The Washington Post reports that police nationwide through a practice known as civil forfeiture have seized $2.5 billion in private property since 9/11 without a warrant or any crimes being formally charged by claiming nonetheless that the property was obtained through criminal activity. Much of that money the cops have kept for their own budgets. But 70% of Americans say a criminal conviction should be necessary before authorities seize someone’s property, and 42% think the main reason the police seize the property is because it’s a major revenue source for them. Not exactly a vote of confidence.

Or take something like the growing Ebola epidemic. Most Americans want a temporary ban on flights from Ebola-infected countries in Africa, but the federal government refuses to go that far, opting instead for screenings at just five airports.

Then there’s the public school system, one of government’s chief responsibilities, but most voters think the majority of high school graduates today don’t have the skills for either college or the workforce. 

Working Americans overwhelmingly (85%) still consider themselves middle class, including 19% who describe themselves as upper middle class. But more voters than ever (67%) say the U.S. economy is unfair to the middle class.

Consumer and investor confidence have not improved. 

Fortunately for the country, Americans are a resilient people: Most still think their lives are good despite all this negativity.

In other surveys last week:

— Voters still aren’t sold on Obamacare’s individual insurance mandate.

— Most Americans say President Obama does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize he won in 2009. The president’s daily job approval ratings still linger around the -20 mark.

— Though the recent security lapses by the Secret Service have been highly publicized, many voters think they are just the tip of the iceberg.

— Despite ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, voters don’t think the U.S. government should get involved. But most also agree that the United States overlooks many abuses by the Chinese government because of that country’s economic power.

— Does America think college campuses can ever be made safe from sexual assault? 

— Flu season is back, and more Americans than ever (58%) plan to get a flu shot this year.

— Voters are slightly more accepting of women and gay and lesbian soldiers.

— Most Americans exercise at least once a week and believe it’s important for a healthy life.

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