Opinion Today: Topline
Selected links from the February 10, 2026, edition of Opinion Today
American Optimism Slumps to Record Low Dan Witters, Gallup The percentage of U.S. adults who anticipate high-quality lives in five years declined to 59.2% in 2025, the lowest level since measurement began nearly two decades ago. Americans’ ratings of their current lives have also declined since rebounding in 2021 but not as steeply as their future life ratings.
White evangelicals remain among Trump’s strongest supporters, but they’re less supportive than a year ago Chip Rotolo and Gregory A. Smith, Pew Research Center
Trump's approval rating nears second-term low Eli Yokley, Morning Consult Democrats lead Republicans on the generic ballot Eli Yokley, Morning Consult
Earnings, Job Loss, and Job Finding Expectations Improve Modestly; Inflation Expectations Lower at Short-Term, Unchanged at Medium- and Longer-Term Horizons Federal Reserve Bank of New York Everyone Lies About Voting (Even the Religious) Ryan Burge, Graphs about Religion
Do’s and Don’ts about Discussing ICE and Immigration Navigator Research Kamala Harris has Liz Cheney Syndrome Nate Silver, Silver Bulletin
These are the 10 best Super Bowl ads of 2026 Dave Smith and Laura Dranschak, Ipsos Texas: Republican & Democratic U.S. Senate Primaries & Evaluations of President Trump Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston
Oklahoma: Sooner Survey Pat McFerron, Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates Backlash to Trump emboldens Democrats on DHS and ICE as partial shutdown looms Sahil Kapur and Julie Tsirkin, NBC News 5 glaring warning signs for Republicans in this year's midterm elections Domenico Montanaro, NPR News
A New Jersey Primary Shows the Depth of Democratic Fury Michelle Goldberg, New York Times [unlocked] ‘Not American Enough’ Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Atlantic [unlocked] Democrats Will Need More Than One Blue Wave to Solve Their Regional Woes Justin Vassallo, The Liberal Patriot
There’s more in the FULL edition of Opinion Today, sent to paid subscribers today at 5 a.m. ET:
PLAYLIST
Where the Political Headwinds Blow
National Journal RadioThe Texas Senate Primaries Get Messy
GD POLITICSEnten: Trump support ‘absolutely collapsing’ with key voting group
CNNTamara Keith and Amy Walter on Trump's low approval ratings
PBS News Hour