Ideology and policymaking

**Public’s policy priorities: 2011-2019**
Topic	Jan 2011	Jan 2015	Jan 2019
Strengthening nation’s economy	$87 %$ ‍	$75 %$ ‍	$70 %$ ‍
Protect environment	$40 %$ ‍	$51 %$ ‍	$56 %$ ‍
Improving job situation	$84 %$ ‍	$67 %$ ‍	$50 %$ ‍
Reducing budget deficit	$64 %$ ‍	$64 %$ ‍	$48 %$ ‍
Dealing with climate change	$26 %$ ‍	$34 %$ ‍	$44 %$ ‍

Which of the following statements is reflected in the data in the table?

(Choice A)
Polls are the best way for politicians to gauge public opinion on policy.
(Choice B)
Public preferences toward policy priorities change over time.
(Choice C)
Policy priorities are determined by a small, elite group.
(Choice D)
Policy preferences rarely change since people’s ideology does not change.

AP®︎/College US Government and Politics