America Speaks with Frank Luntz (Video)

‘The worst it’s ever been’: Young Americans on democracy

Democracy is a flawed and fragile form of government, famously described by Winston Churchill as “the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried.” Churchill’s comment spoke to a world where fascism and democracy were at war. In America today, concerns regarding the erosion of democracy at home and abroad — and about the resurgence of fascism — are on the rise again.
In this 23-minute episode of America Speaks, Dr. Frank Luntz asks a panel of younger Americans what they think about democracy, what threatens it, how to protect it, why it matters, and more. Luntz then asks each participant what they would say to Congress on this subject if they had only a few seconds.

Gen Z debates capitalism vs. socialism, meritocracy vs. equality

Capitalism and socialism offer two different economic models, each with their own unique pros and cons. And while it is rare to find any modern economy that is either entirely capitalist or entirely socialist, citizens frequently use these terms to represent the general direction in which they believe the economy and society should progress. Similarly, while it is rare to find any example of a purely meritocratic or a purely equal society, the public debate on meritocracy versus equality helps us clarify which laws or policies should be pursued in the years ahead.
In this 34-minute episode of America Speaks, Dr. Frank Luntz asks a panel of Gen Z Americans, ages 18-24, whether they prefer more socialism or more capitalism, and presses them to defend their answer against those who gave the opposite response. Following that conversation, Dr. Luntz asks them to choose between meritocracy or equality, and to defend their positions on that answer as well.

‘We want to find common ground’: Gen Z’s stubborn optimism

Younger Americans came of age amidst significant change, turmoil and partisanship. Many observers have wondered how this might impact their civic engagement and political opinions as adults. Approximately 41 million Gen Z Americans will be eligible to vote in the 2024 elections.
In this unique 31-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz interviews a class of high schoolers at a private school in Indiana. He asks for their opinions on everything from tribalism and immigration, to constitutional laws and norms. Underneath wide-ranging pessimism, Luntz uncovers a stubborn and hardened optimism, and a shared commitment to bridging the country’s political divide.
 

‘Take the job seriously’: Why Americans are fed up with Congress

In March, U.S. public approval of Congress stood at only 15%. Americans have a wide range of concerns across the political spectrum, but what they have in common is a frustration with what they perceive as widespread dysfunction inside of the nation’s legislature.

‘If we can shrink it, it will stop growing’: Americans talk debt, deficit

As of March 28, 2024, the official figure for the United States’ national debt comes up just shy of $34.6 trillion. While this debt empowers the government to fund important programs and agencies, critics warn that it becomes more and more of a liability the longer it goes unaddressed and unresolved.
In this unique 36-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz invites David Walker, former comptroller general of the United States, to join American panelists for a living room discussion on the national debt. Walker outlines some of the key trends, numbers and figures that Americans should be aware of, and explores the political obstacles preventing us from reaching a solution.

‘I don’t think they care’: Undecided voters explain their reasons

While most voters already have an idea of how they’ll be voting — or not voting — in November’s presidential election, a small minority of Americans remain undecided. How they ultimately choose to cast their ballots might influence the results of tight races in key swing states.
In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks a focus group of undecided voters what their reservations are regarding Democratic and Republican candidates and the U.S. political process as a whole. The participants gave a wide range of reasons, but when asked if they felt “alienated by the political process,” almost every one of them raised their hand.

‘He was gaslighting us’: Undecided voters on State of the Union

President Biden identified many key concerns as he delivered his annual State of the Union address. He confronted foreign wars in Ukraine and Gaza and domestic issues relevant to rural America, sparking a range of reactions from prospective voters.
In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz interviews a panel of undecided swing-state Americans to measure their feedback and reactions to the speech. While opinion on the speech itself was split, participants did not have reassuring answers when asked to summarize their own impression of the state of the country in just one word. One participant aptly summarized what seemed to be a shared concern: “We have two unions.”

‘The dirtiest campaign’: Low expectations for 2024 election ads

U.S. political campaigns have become notoriously toxic, a trend broadly reflective of the overall toxicity of modern American politics itself. Political campaign ads and political messaging have become perhaps the most consistent public measure of that toxicity. So when it comes to the upcoming election, what do Americans expect to see in their political advertisements and campaign messaging?
In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks a panel of Americans to review political campaign ads for the upcoming 2024 election and to rate how they feel second by second as those ads progress. Democrats and Republicans were measured separately, and their approval ratings were often opposite from one another, implying that a good or inspiring message for one side was often perceived as negative by the opposing side. But the unaffiliated line, measured in yellow, suggests more nuance and moderation in the center of the political spectrum.

‘A dose of empathy’: Americans’ guide to better disagreement

We find ourselves in an era of high friction between Democrats and Republicans on numerous issues. As primary season turns into election season, heated arguments and disagreements might escalate. Most of us accept that we won’t agree on everything, but how can Americans learn to disagree better?
In this 39-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz engages with a diverse group of Americans who all aspire to “disagree better.” But what does that mean, and how can Americans live up to that challenge? Dr. Luntz explores those questions and discovers plenty of common ground to build on.

‘A country without purpose’: Americans share fears for their nation

From the numerous wars raging abroad to our civil divisions here at home, it can sometimes feel like America and the world are on fire. In addressing these crises, it is essential to prioritize and identify the ones that concern Americans the most.
In this 28-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans to share their deepest concerns for their country and the world. From a lack of empathy and civility to the financial difficulties of modern life, the panelists explore a range of different answers. Almost all of them, however, say their biggest concerns have more to do with American culture and behavior than economics.