Mark Mellman

CNN is a great news organization peopled by wonderful journalists. Their survey department is also run by fine pollsters. So I really do hate to pick on them, especially for a fault in which they are hardly alone. 

Early headlines emerging from the new Pew/Washington Post poll on the National Security Agency’s surveillance program suggest it is all OK with the American people. 

Most of us treat “incumbency advantage” as axiomatic. 

Democrats’ national demographic advantage has been a cause for celebration in our party and for deep concern in the GOP. At the presidential level, and in a number of states, solid Democratic support from African-Americans, Latinos, younger voters and seculars has created serious problems for Republicans — problems that are currently confounding them, even leading the GOP to finally back immigration reform.

I recently met a woman who repeatedly referred to her life partner as her “non-husband.” 

It’s no coincidence that word leaked out about a poll revealing that 59 percent of Americans see a conspiracy in the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy, just as discussion of the Benghazi and IRS scandals are heating up. 

Let’s be honest. Healthcare reform doesn’t quite sell itself. With few exceptions, more voters have disliked the plan than liked it in polls over the last several years. But at the same time, even fewer voters want the law repealed or defunded. Hence, Republican attempts to take those actions are strategically inexplicable. They have enjoyed some advantage by just complaining about Democrats’ passing the law. Why dilute that by taking an even less popular position themselves? 

Many are asking how senators could so flagrantly disregard public opinion in opposing the background checks for gun buyers that some 90 percent of Americans embrace. 

Growing up, one of my favorite bumper stickers claimed “The West wasn’t won with a registered gun.” I never agreed with those promoting this viewpoint, so my admiration must have been fueled by some combination of adolescent macho, love of the “old West” (and the movie “How The West Was Won”), appreciation for the rhyme and admiration for the talent of the slogan writers.

Republicans love pointing to their governors, arguing they chart the party’s course to success on a national scale.