Plurality Says Supreme Court in Ideological Center

Most Say Senate Rules Should Be Changed

Survey of 1,000 Adults

March 17-18, 2005

March 20, 2005 --Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Americans believe the Supreme Court is too liberal, 24% say it is too conservative, and 38% say it is somewhere in the middle.

While the partisan battle over judicial nominations rages in Washington, a Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 29% of Americans are following the story "very closely." Another 36% are following it "somewhat closely." Republicans are paying a bit more attention than Democrats or those not affiliated with either party.

Fifty percent (50%) of Americans believe that every Presidential  nominee should receive an up or down vote on the floor of the Senate. Just 18% disagree.

When asked if Senate rules should be changed to give every nominee a vote, 59% say yes and 22% say no. The majority view is shared by 61% of Republicans, 59% of Democrats, and 56% of unaffiliateds.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Americans say they trust Democrats in the Senate more than President Bush on this issue. Forty-three percent (43%) take the opposite view and have more trust in the President.

Demographic details are available for Premium Members.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information. We recently released Social Security: Has the Season for Reform Arrived?

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