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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

Last week, Trump said U.S. cities are war zones and the military needs to handle the "enemy from within". Most Americans see things differently. Only about a quarter think there's currently a war happening in any U.S. cities.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

About one-quarter (27%) of Americans say that there is currently a war happening in any U.S. cities. About half (52%) say there is not. Small shares of Democrats and Independents say there is a war in U.S. cities (19% of Democrats and 24% of Independents); majorities say there is not (64% of Democrats and 53% of Independents). But Republicans are almost evenly split: 37% say there is a war in U.S. cities and 39% say there is not.

Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

Hegseth criticized fat generals and bearded service members. Americans think fitness and appearance are important, but don't agree with those specifics. Only a minority think fat generals are a serious problem or that beards shouldn't be allowed.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

A majority (58%) of Americans say they are very important and 27% say they are somewhat important. Only 7% say they are not very important or not at all important. Republicans are more likely than Democrats or Independents to say it is important, but majorities of all three groups believe it is at least somewhat important.

Americans are more likely to say that fat generals and admirals are a minor problem or not a problem (45%) than to say they are a somewhat or very serious problem (36%). A majority (65%) of Democrats say fat military leaders are not a major problem. Independents are also more likely to say this is not a major problem than to say it is a somewhat or very serious one (41% vs. 34%). On the other hand, a majority (55%) of Republicans say fat generals and admirals are a serious problem.

Half (50%) of Americans believe that military service members should be allowed to have beards. Only 26% believe beards should not be allowed. Democrats and Independents are more likely to say beards should be allowed than to say they should not (66% vs. 14% among Democrats and 51% vs. 21% among Independents). Republicans are more evenly split, but more Republicans say beards should not be allowed than say they should (34% would allow beards and 42% would not allow them).

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

Last week, Trump said he would increase military spending to $1 trillion per year. But very few Americans think military spending is currently too low. Americans are much more likely to say that military spending is already too high.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

Only 11% of Americans think current U.S. military spending is too low. Instead, 30% say that military spending is about right and 39% say it is too high.

Democrats and Independents are much more likely to say that military spending is too high (58% of Democrats and 44% of Independents) than to say it is too low (6% of Democrats and 10% of Independents). Republicans are much less likely than Democrats and Independents to say that military spending is too high (14%). But Republicans are only slightly more likely to say that military spending is too low (19%). About half (49%) of Republicans say that military spending is about right.

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

Despite Trump and Hegseth using the secondary name "Department of War", most Americans prefer the department's official name, the Department of Defense. Majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans are all more likely to say Defense.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

Americans are more likely to refer to the department as the Department of Defense than as the Department of War by a wide margin: 72% are more likely to use "Department of Defense" while only 18% are more likely to use "Department of War." While there are significant partisan differences, Department of Defense is the preferred term for majorities of Democrats (90%), Independents (72%), and Republicans (55%). Men are much more likely than women to use the term "Department of War," though this represents a minority of both groups (26% of men and 12% of women).

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

Americans are more likely to approve of the jobs done by U.S. generals and admirals, the audience for Hegseth and Trump's meeting last week, than they are to approve of the way Hegseth and Trump are handling the military.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

Half (50%) of Americans somewhat or strongly disapprove of Trump's handling of the military, while only 38% approve. Americans are also more likely to disapprove than approve of Hegseth's job handling (41% vs. 32%). In contrast, about half (48%) of Americans say they generally approve of how generals and admirals handle their jobs, while only 23% generally disapprove.

Majorities of Democrats (89%) and Independents (57%) disapprove of Trump's handling of the military. Democrats are also more likely to disapprove than to approve of Hegseth's job handling. On the other hand, more Democrats and Independents say they generally approve of the job done by U.S. generals and admirals than say they generally disapprove. In contrast to Democrats and Independents, majorities of Republicans approve of the way Trump (83%), Hegseth (68%), and U.S. generals and admirals (63%) handle the military.

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

If a member of the military receives an order that they think is unconstitutional, most Americans say they should not follow the order. But Republicans are split on this question.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

Majorities of Americans say that generals (59%) and enlisted service members (53%) should not follow orders if they believe they violate the constitution. Only 18% of Americans say generals should follow such orders, and 19% say the same of enlisted members.

Majorities of Democrats and Independents say that generals and enlisted members of the military should not follow orders they believe are unconstitutional. Republicans, in contrast, are split. Republicans are about as likely to say that generals should not follow such orders than to say that they should (35% vs. 33%). Republicans are less likely to trust the consciences of enlisted members: 36% of Republicans say an enlisted member of the military should follow an order that they believe violates the constitution, while 29% say they should not.

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

Hegseth and Trump defended firing generals who disagree with current policies, and threatened that more could be fired in the future. But most Americans think it's better to keep experienced generals, even if they disagree with current policy.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

We asked Americans if it is better for the military to keep the most experienced staff of generals, even if some disagree with current policies, or to fire generals who disagree with current policies, even if it means military leaders have less experience. About two-thirds (65%) of Americans say it is better to prioritize experience at the cost of policy disagreement. Only 15% say generals who disagree with current policies should be fired if it means leaders will have less experience.

Majorities of Democrats (85%) and Independents (62%) say the military should focus on keeping the most experienced staff of generals. Republicans are also more likely to pick this option than to say that military leaders should be fired for policy disagreements (48% vs. 28%).

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 2h

More Americans disapprove than approve of Trump and Hegseth summoning the generals to Virginia last week. Most don't think the meeting was a good use of spending and about half think it was a national security risk.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...

Americans are slightly more likely to disapprove of the decision to summon all U.S. generals and admirals to Virginia than to approve of it (39% somewhat or strongly disapprove vs. 34% who approve). This gap is much larger among Americans who say they have heard a lot about the meeting, a group that is disproportionately Democratic: 59% of Americans who have heard a lot about the meeting say they disapprove of it, while only 39% approve. In contrast, Americans who have heard a little or nothing at all about the meeting are roughly evenly divided.

A majority of Democrats disapprove of summoning the generals (68% vs. 8% who approve). Independents are also more likely to disapprove than to approve (43% vs. 24%). In contrast, a majority of Republicans approve (7% disapprove vs. 70% who approve).

Americans are about twice as likely to say that summoning the generals to Trump and Hegseth's meeting was a bad use of military spending than to say it was a good use (41% vs. 18%). A majority (59%) of Americans who have heard a lot about the meeting say it was a bad use of spending and 27% say it was a good use. Those who have heard a little or nothing at all about the meeting are also more likely to say it was a bad use of funds than a good one (45% vs. 22% of those who have heard a little and 26% vs. 8% of those who have heard nothing at all).

About three-quarters (73%) of Democrats say the meeting was a bad use of spending. Independents are also more likely to say it was a bad use of funds than a good use (45% vs. 12%). Republicans are more likely to say it was a good use, though only a minority (40%) take this view. Few Republicans (6%) say it was a bad use, with the majority saying either that it was neither a good nor bad use (36%) or that they are not sure (18%).

About half (52%) of Americans believe that summoning all U.S. generals and admirals to Virginia posed a major or moderate risk to national security. Only 23% believe it posed no risk. Majorities of Americans who have heard a lot (69%) or a little (56%) about the meeting believe it posed a national security risk. Those who have heard nothing about it are more likely to think it posed a risk than to think it did not (38% vs. 16%).

A majority (76%) of Democrats believe the meeting posed a national security risk, as do half (50%) of Independents. Only 6% of Democrats and 19% of Independents believe it posed no risk. Republicans, on the other hand, are more likely to believe the meeting posed no risk (44%) than to believe it posed a major or moderate risk (32%).

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Reposted by Alex Rossell Hayes

YouGov America @today.yougov.com · 1d

YouGov survey results by political party for the question, How would you describe the tactics currently used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?

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Reposted by Alex Rossell Hayes

Jon Bois @jonbois.bsky.social · 1d

i know that the months leading up to the lexus december to remember sales event are an exciting time for many of you. it used to be for me, but most dealerships won't let me attend services because i named my kid toyotathon. they won't even let me wield the sceptre. i just thought it was a cool name

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G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 1d

Second, in my September poll, deploying the National Guard "to cities and states in order to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement identify and deport unauthorized immigrants" was opposed by a margin of 51-37 www.gelliottmorris.com/p/new-poll-v...

New poll: Percent saying America on the "wrong track" hits new high

Plus: Democrats lead the U.S. House generic ballot by 5, Americans reject ICE racial profiling; and approval of Trump's handling of prices and health care hit a new low

www.gelliottmorris.com

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Jon Bois @jonbois.bsky.social · 23h

not sure i’m a fan of players wearing jerseys with their name on the back. everyone can see it but you. i guess if you forget your name you’re just out of luck out there, huh

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emily moonlight @threnody.bsky.social · 1d

hi, cis folks in california!

this headline leaves out that newsom has another 5 days to sign these bills into law. if you’d like to tell him he should do that to protect trans californians, you should to reach out.

he also has a phone: (916) 445-2841

want to know what to say? next post! 🧵

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G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 1d

Why most polls overstate support for political violence
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/most-polls...

Why most polls overstate support for political violence

Misperceptions about the popularity of violence increase public support for it — but you can help change that.

www.gelliottmorris.com

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 1d

Late to reply, but I've done some polling to get at this question: it looks like Newsom's posts have drawn less negative opinions than Trump's, but they haven't earned him any more positive opinions. His posts also get less attention than Trump's. today.yougov.com/politics/art...

What do Americans think of Trump's and Newsom's social media? | YouGov

Most Americans view Trump's use of social media negatively. Half of Americans say he posts too much and an equal share say his posts are inappropriate. Evaluations of Newsom's social media use are les...

today.yougov.com

Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 1d

Outside the realm of social media, more Americans have unfavorable opinions of Trump than of Newsom. Americans are also more likely to say Trump does not focus on the most important issues. But many haven't made up their minds about Newsom.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

Trump and Newsom are each more likely to be viewed unfavorably by Americans than they are to be viewed favorably. However, unfavorable opinions of Trump are much more widespread than unfavorable opinions of Newsom. A majority (58%) of Americans have a somewhat or strongly unfavorable opinion of Trump, while only 39% have a somewhat or strongly favorable opinion. In contrast, opinions of Newsom are closer to evenly split: 42% of Americans view him unfavorably and 36% view him favorably.

Only one-third (35%) of Americans say that Trump spends most of his time focused on the most important problems. Half (50%) say he mostly focuses on less important problems. Opinions of Newsom are evenly split: 32% say he mostly focuses on the most important issues and 32% say he mostly focuses on less important issues. 37% of Americans are not sure about Newsom's priorities, much larger than the 14% who are unsure about Trump's.

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 1d

Newsom's social media trolling hasn't turned Americans off as much as Trump's. More Americans view Trump's social media negatively and say Trump's posts are inappropriate. But that could just be because Americans see Trump's social media more.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)

More Americans express negative views of Trump's social media than of Newsom's. Half (49%) of Americans have a negative opinion of the content posted on social media by Trump, while only 29% say the same about Newsom. However, roughly equal shares of Americans have positive views of Trump's and Newsom's social media (28% vs. 29%). Newsom's social media strategy hasn't attracted nearly as many haters as Trump's, but it also hasn't attracted more fans.

Half of Americans (50%) say that Trump's social media posts are usually or always inappropriate. Only 30% say they are usually or always appropriate. In contrast, Americans are more likely to say that Newsom's posts are appropriate than to say they are inappropriate (32% vs. 24%). However, nearly half (45%) say they are not sure whether Newsom's posts are appropriate or inappropriate.

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 1d

How is Gavin Newsom's social media strategy working out? For starters, he has fewer followers than Trump, though most Americans don't follow either. His posts are seen less often than Trump's as well.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...

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AVCX Classic @avcx.bsky.social · 20d

As we move toward our fall subscription drive, we hope you’ll consider supporting us in part bc we are an independent media company.

No, crosswords are not as vital as journalism. But yes, all content that we consume matters, and it should be as free as possible from corporate control.

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 7d

Charlie Kirk coins? An annual Charlie Kirk Day? Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue? A Charlie Kirk statue on every college campus?
Those are real proposals made by state and federal lawmakers. Most Americans think they go too far.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...

ericans are more likely to support than to oppose government buildings flying flags at half mast after Kirk's death (47% vs. 38%). However, each of the other commemorative proposals draws more opposition than support. Majorities of Americans oppose commemorating Kirk by renaming portions of state highways (50%), holding a National Day of Remembrance in 2025 (51%), minting commemorative coins (58%), creating an annual holiday (60%), and requiring all Oklahoma state colleges to build a statue of him (66%).

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Noam Ross @noamross.net · 10d

{redoc}, my R package for reversible R Markdown documents that enables two-way workflows with MS Word, needs a new name! Weigh in: github.com/redoc-dev/re... #rstats

A new name for a new era · redoc-dev redoc · Discussion #79

Thanks to support from the R Consortium and the Tribal Exchange Network, we're bringing {redoc} back, with a plan for stable release, including some Quarto support, in the first half of 2026. BUT i...

github.com

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 11d

For European Union shape files of course

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Reposted by Alex Rossell Hayes

Mike Barthel @mikebarthelauthor.com · 12d

Looking at differnt airports codes, as one does, and now I’m imagining the Palm Springs air traffic controller with a cat in their lab, insisting on saying “begin your approach into pspspsp” no matter how many times their supervisors tell them not to.

A screenshot of Google results showing the code for Palm Springs international airport is p s p

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 13d

Yeah this one's for a niche audience 😅

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Alex Rossell Hayes @alxrh.bsky.social · 13d

I'm tickled pink to announce that player, my new R package, is now on CRAN! Kill time while your analysis scripts run with hangman, poker, 2048, and 7 other games! Plus, each game runs in the console, so it may look to the unsuspecting eye like you're actually working!

pkg.rossellhayes.com/player/

A game of hangman being played in the R console.

A game of 5-card draw video poker being played in the R console.

A game of 2048 being played in the R console.

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