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The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision on June 29, effectively ended the use of race in college admissions, and a recent national University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll conducted earlier this month found that Americans are of two minds when it comes to the policy of affirmative action. A plurality of Americans – 42% – agree that the policy should be discontinued and race and ethnicity should no longer factor into such decisions, while 33% support the continued use of such criteria in admissions decisions. (The Hill, 6/28/23; WCVB, WMUR [N.H.], 6/29/23; News Office release)

An opinion piece on President Joe Biden’s reelection chances quotes Ray La Raja, political science, who said Biden shouldn’t count on fixing minor problems like eliminating hotel resort fees or large service fees when buying concert tickets to win the election, but it could help “at the margins.” (Raw Story, 6/26/23)

 

There is additional coverage of a national UMass Amherst Poll on topics including affirmative action, Supreme Court reforms and the performance of Congress and President Joe Biden. The poll finds that a plurality of Americans – 42% – agree that the policy of considering race and ethnicity in college admissions should be discontinued, while 33% support the continued use of such criteria. (MassLive, 6/21/23; News Office release)

A UMass Amherst Poll from October 2022, which asked respondents their views on possible impeachment of President Joe Biden, is cited in a pair of articles following Rep. Lauren Boebert’s attempt this week to force a House impeachment vote. (The New York Times, Business Insider, 6/22/23; News Office release)

 

A new national UMass Amherst Poll surveyed views on some of the culture issues dividing the country, including diversity, trans rights, antisemitism, immigration and the definition of the political buzzword “woke.” Among other things, the poll found that about 60% supported the statement that “being a man or a woman is something that is permanent and cannot be changed.” Genny Beemyn, director the Stonewall Center, said, “ They don’t know us, so I’m not surprised that a majority of people feel that way.” (MassLive, MassLive, 6/20/23; News Office release)

Paul Collins, legal studies and political science, comments on Hunter Biden’s plea deal. “The plea deal looks fairly standard in that it involves an individual with substance abuse problems that will be required to abide by a variety of conditions as part of the plea deal, such as drug testing,” Collins says. (The Christian Science Monitor, 6/20/23)

A national UMass Amherst Poll finds that just 13% of Republicans support Juneteenth being a federal holiday. Overall, 57% of the poll's respondents support teaching the history and significance of the holiday in public schools. (WCVB, 6/15/23; News Office release)

Another national UMass Amherst Poll finds that just 13% of respondents say President Joe Biden is handling the economy “very well.” Respondents give the president an overall approval rating of 44%. (WCVB, 6/16/23; News Office release) (Boston.com, 6/20/23; News Office release)

 

 

Raymond La Raja, political science and co-director of the UMass Amherst Poll, is quoted in an article prior to the House passing the debt ceiling increase examining the impact the debt ceiling negotiations may have on the 2024 presidential campaign. “Most Americans, like the stock markets, assume there’s going to be a deal made,” La Raja says. “I think most of them want a deal. They like a deal. Most people like compromise. It’s the people at the extremes who don’t like compromise.” (The National Desk, 5/31/23)

Reporting showing former U.S. President Donald Trump leading Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a poll of Maine voters likely to vote in next year’s primary, mentions recent UMass Poll research finding Trump also with a large lead among Massachusetts voters. (Florida Politics, 6/7/23)

An April UMassPoll finding that nearly four in 10 Massachusetts residents have contemplated leaving the state for a more affordable locale is cited in an article by the Boton Globe  on the tax package recently unveiled in the Massachusetts Senate. (Boston Globe, 6/8/23)

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