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Poll HubAuthor: Marist Poll
Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what survey really show, and what the numbers actually mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, home of Americas leading independent university public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of MIPO), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), Jay DeDapper (Director of Strategy Innovation), Mary Griffith (Associate Director), and frequent expert guests, dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves. Language: en-us Genres: News, Politics, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Bi-Partisan Billionaire Backlash
Episode 444
Thursday, 14 May, 2026
This week, we’re taking a closer look at one of the few issues that appears to unite Americans across the political spectrum: concern about money in politics. From campaign spending and lobbying to billionaire influence and “dark money,” recent polling suggests large majorities of Americans believe wealth and special interests now hold too much power in shaping elections and political decision-making. Many also say the current system weakens democracy and creates the appearance of corruption, concerns that cut across party lines. At the same time, campaign finance reform has historically struggled to become a top public priority, even as election spending continues to reach record highs. In this segment, we break down what Americans think about the role of money in politics, why these concerns have become so widespread, and what they reveal about trust in the political system today. We’re also examining how pets are increasingly becoming central to American family life. Pet ownership has reached record levels in the United States, and nearly all pet owners now describe their animals as part of the family. For many younger Americans especially, pets are not just companions but emotional anchors, sources of stability, and in some cases even substitutes for traditional milestones like marriage or parenthood. At the same time, the share of households with children continues to decline, while spending on pets continues to rise. In this segment, we explore what these changing attitudes toward pets reveal about shifting ideas surrounding family, adulthood, caregiving, and modern American life. And finally, for our fun fact we are breaking down our dreams. Do you remember the details, the vibes, or nothing at all?
