News Interest Index: Public Closely Tracking Obama Transition

In addition to following the major economic headlines last week, the public tuned into news about the Obama transition.  Fully 49% followed news about plans for the new Obama administration very closely and one-in-four said this was the single news story they followed more closely than any other, making it the second most closely followed news story after the economy. 

Americans are paying close attention to the choices Obama has made thus far in staffing his administration. Half have heard a lot about the appointments Obama has made to his cabinet and senior White House staff.  And more than six-in-ten (62%) have heard a lot about the possibility that Obama will choose Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.   

The public is less tuned into news about the Obama family and their transition to the White House.  Roughly a quarter (23%) say they have heard a lot about what type of puppy the Obamas might get and where the two Obama girls will attend school.  Another 42% have heard a little about this, and 34% haven't heard anything at all. 

Read the full report Public Closely Tracking Obama Transition on the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Web site.