Talking heads speculate on what issues are most important to everyday people. Pollsters ask people what issues are most important. But what issues are truly important enough to drive everyday citizens to actually take the time to contact Congress?
For the first time, we have insight into what issues Members of Congress are hearing about from their constituents.
Yesterday our firm, Adfero Group, and Fireside21, a software provider to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, released the first ever Congressional Conversation Index (CCI), a monthly survey of the top issues Congress hears about from citizens. Each month, the CCI measures the average number of recorded contacts on specific issues participating Members of the U.S. House of Representatives receive from the constituents they represent. Issues vary in topic, including public policy concerns, such as health care and technology, as well as overall citizen concerns about specific issues like energy and the environment.
On a month-to-month basis we will be able to see which issues are generating the most public engagement. The comprehensive data will reveal where true citizen interest in issues contradicts the conventional wisdom from talking heads, political consultants and pollsters.
Click here for more about the CCI, including detailed data for the first five months of this year.
