The Growing Partisan Split Over Sexual-Misconduct Allegations

According to Peter Beinart of The Atlantic, the cases of former Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and Brett Kavanaugh show that misconduct is a bipartisan problem—but the liberal and conservative responses are very different. He writes of accusations made against Franken, and how it was handled relatively quickly, as Franken was removed from the Senate. Speaking to Kavanaugh’s situation, Beinart points out “At this point, Republicans have already lost the anti-sexual-assault voter. Their best hope in the midterms is to motivate their base, which includes a lot of anti-anti-sexual assault voters.” Using data to make his case, Beinart references a 2015 PRRI poll, which states that more Republicans think, “there is a lot of discrimination” against white men than think significant discrimination exists against women.

The Washington Post: Clinton Voters Express More Economic Distress than Trump Voters

An in-depth analysis by The Washington Post examines how the role played by “economic anxiety” in the 2016 election was vastly different than what’s typically heard on this issue. Whereas Donald Trump prides himself as the champion for struggling American workers, it appears his base was more motivated by his views on immigration and terrorism than the economy. New data from the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group, co-authored by PRRI Associate Research Director Robert Griffin PhD, shows that it was actually Hillary Clinton that received the “economically distressed” vote – including among white Americans. The survey directly challenges a popular economic narrative about Trump’s electoral victory in 2016.

Is President Trump’s NFL Hatred Related to the USFL?

In a recent article for CNBC, Jacob Pramuk opines that President Donald Trump’s failed attempt at owning an NFL team could be part of the fuel that has ignited his public campaign against the NFL. For a brief time in the 1980s, Trump owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. Over the next several decades he made several attempts at purchasing NFL teams, including the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills. Throughout his presidency, Trump has frequently attacked the NFL, its players, and league ownership over players who protest during the National Anthem. PRRI’s David Tigabu recently examined how Americans in general feel about this issue. Tigabu writes, Differences within the broader population also fall along generational lines. More than seven in ten (72 percent) seniors (age 65+) say professional athletes should be required to stand during the national anthem, while fewer than half (44 percent) of young people (age 18-29) agree.

Doll Maker Hopes to Empower Muslim Girls

Seeing a gap in the market for Muslim dolls that would empower young women, a father in Australia founded “Zileej” a toy company that manufactures the “Salam Sisters.” In an August interview with BuzzFeed.News, Peter Gould explained how his daughters inspired him to create the line of dolls. Gould says, “As a Muslim parent and speaking with other Muslim parents I hoped for a toy that would be more representative and inclusive, at the same time super cool and fun.” The five sisters have backstories that represent a wide range of interests, such as becoming an astronaut, or a pro-surfer. According to Gould, the dolls come equipped with a removable hijab, which he hopes will empower young girls to choose how they wish to show their heritage. “It was important to us to provide the option of a headscarf to make that immediate visual link to the Islamic faith, and to show young girls that making the choice to be visibly Muslim can be celebrated in a beautiful way,” Gould says.

Man Rescues Hurricane Animals in School Bus

Over the last week, a 51-year-old truck driver from Tennessee has rescued over 60 animals from shelters that were in the path of Hurricane Florence. Tony Alsup ferries the animals to safety in a school bus filled with animal cages and crates. He explained to The Washington Post why he felt the need to help, saying, “Animals — especially shelter pets — they always have to take the back seat of the bus. But I’ll give them their own bus. If I have to I’ll pay for all the fuel, or even a boat, to get these dogs out of there.” Alsup began rescuing animals during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.