Shaken, Not Stirred - Findings from recent focus groups on America and the economy

SUMMARY

Shaken, Not Stirred is a joint memo from Third Way and pollster Pete Brodnitz of the Benenson Strategy Group that describes our findings and discusses a potential opportunity for political leaders.

Struggling to get ahead, not just get by; anxious, but not pessimistic; aspirational, yet adrift, equal parts skeptical and hopeful over government’s ability to help, and in search of accountability and a common purpose – these are the central attributes and attitudes of the middle class based on a series of six focus groups we recently conducted on the economy. We find that among a middle class that is shaken over the economy and not particularly stirred by the political leadership in Washington, there is nevertheless a yearning for economic leadership to fill the void of the past eight years. We conclude that Americans are seeking economic leadership that restores their confidence both in America’s ability to move forward and in their own path to success.

To read this Memo, open the attached PDF