Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

As President Obama and Democratic leaders mounted what was characterized as the final push to pass health care reform legislation last week, the public followed the health care debate more closely than any other major story.

As Americans continue to track the debate over health care reform closely, a growing minority -- now 39% -- says they think health care legislation will pass this year.

The public and the media went their own ways on the news last week.

The debate over health care reform dominated the public's news interests last week, even as other stories - including the furor over new mammogram guidelines and Sarah Palin's book tour - vied for the news media's attention.

The November 5 shootings at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas - which resulted in the death of 13 Americans - was the public's top news story last week.

There are stark differences in the partisan composition of the Fox News Channel, CNN and MSNBC audiences.

The Fox News Channel is viewed by Americans in more ideological terms than other television news networks.

The press is coming under considerable fire these days.

When asked what is most important in helping them to form opinions on health care, 41% cite what they have heard or read in the media as most important; only somewhat fewer cite personal experiences (31%), while another 25% say that talking with friends and family is most important.

The number of Americans who say they are hearing too much about President Obama has not increased since mid-summer, despite the president's high media visibility.