The State of the Union:

• In most recent polls, President Obama’s approval rating is above 50%.
• Obama had a 49% average approval rating for his first term.
• Congress averaged a 15% approval rating in 2012.
• 35% say things in the nation are headed in the right direction, up from 26% in 2009.
• 27% are satisfied with the state of the economy; 10% were in 2009.
• Around 55% are satisfied with their own financial situation.
• Dissatisfaction with government is at Watergate levels.
• Confidence in banks, big business, and Wall Street has not recovered from the financial crisis.
• Still, 71% say the strength of the country is mostly based on the success of American business.
• Generally positive views of capitalism do not appear to have been significantly altered by the financial crisis.
• For more information, see the new AEI Political Report.

The Iraq war ten years later:

• 55% in a new poll say the war was successful, 43% disagree.
• Only 28% say it has reduced the threat of terrorism and separately that it will lead to peace in the Middle East.
• 70% say it has worsened America’s relations with the Muslim world.
• Six in ten Americans still want us to take an active part in world affairs. Thirty-eight percent say it is better if the US stays out.
• For more information, see the new AEI Political Report.

Women in combat: More than six in ten favor allowing women to serve in units that engage in close combat according to the latest Pew Research Center poll.

Obama v. the NRA: When Quinnipiac pollsters asked people who better reflected their views on guns, 43% said President Obama and 46% the NRA. Independents picked the NRA over Obama by 49% to 38%.

Return to a draft: In the new Quinnipiac poll, 28% want to do so, but 65% oppose.