While positive ratings for Congress remain at an all-time low, more voters than ever see the Republican agenda in Congress as extreme.  

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely Voters say it would be more accurate to describe the agenda of Republicans in Congress as mainstream, while 52% feel extreme is a more accurate description.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 8-9, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who recently announced significant cuts to the defense budget and plans for the United States to end its combat role in Afghanistan earlier than scheduled, is a bit more recognizable to voters these days. So far, this increased awareness has mostly worked in his favor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 39% view Panetta at least somewhat favorably, up 10 points from December. Thirty-four percent (34%) now view the former Central Intelligence Agency director unfavorably, up only slightly from the last survey. These findings include Very Favorable marks from 14% and Very Unfavorable reviews from 12%.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of voters still don’t know enough about Panetta to offer an opinion, but that’s down from 38% in December.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Voters in the key battleground state of Ohio have decidedly mixed feelings about Republican Governor John Kasich and President Obama these days.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely Ohio Voters at least somewhat approve of the job Kasich is doing after his first year as governor, while 50% at least somewhat disapprove. But the emotion’s on the side of the governor’s opponents: The overall findings include 17% who Strongly Approve of his job performance versus 32% who Strongly Disapprove. (To see survey question wording, click here and here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Ohio was conducted on February 8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

If the Conservative Political Action Conference can be expected to accomplish anything more than angry bellowing, it is to reliably embarrass every decent and sane conservative in America. Sometimes the problem is a conspiratorial extremist co-sponsor, like the John Birch Society; sometimes the problem is a certifiable kook giving the keynote address, like Glenn Beck; and sometimes the problem is just vicious bullying of gay conservatives, who have been officially expelled from the conference.

Most Americans continue to view teachers’ unions negatively and believe even more strongly that it's too hard to get rid of bad teachers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 66% feel teachers’ unions are more interested in protecting their member’s jobs than they are in the quality of education. Just 20% feel the quality of education is paramount to the union. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

With political chaos continuing in Egypt and Libya, voters are now evenly divided over whether the political changes from last year’s so-called “Arab Spring” are good or bad for the United States. Most favor an end to long-standing U.S. aid to Egypt.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Votes believe that the recent changes in government in countries such as Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are good for the United States. But just as many (31%) now disagree and see them as bad. Fourteen percent (14%) think the changes from the Arab Spring have no impact on America, but an additional 24% aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 8-9, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Every sports fan knows that close contests are often decided by mistakes rather than heroics. In this year's Super Bowl, Tom Brady threw just one interception, but Eli Manning didn't throw any. Manning's team won. What's especially disheartening for fans are unforced errors. Right now, President Obama's fans have reason to worry about a substantive unforced error that threatens his support among Catholic voters.

Incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown has a narrow lead over Republican challenger Josh Mandel in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at Ohio’s 2012 race for the U.S. Senate.

A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state shows Brown earning 44% support to Mandel’s 40%. Four percent (4%) like another candidate in the race, and, tellingly, 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

This Ohio survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on February 8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Mitt Romney’s victory in Florida put him back on top as the clear frontrunner in the race for the GOP nomination. Rasmussen Reports and others had accurately projected  Romney’s victory in advance but the fact that he got more votes than Gingrich and Santorum combined still caught many observers off guard.

Romney is expected to win big in Nevada today and has leads in the next two primary states—Michigan  and Arizona.  A commentary by Larry Sabato and his colleagues, however, suggests, that the race for the Republican nomination is unlikely to end any time soon. Michael Barone adds that Romney Faces Tough Opponents in a Long War.

Rasmussen Reports has begun daily tracking of the possible Obama-Romney match-up and is updating numbers for other GOP candidates on a rotating basis.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney posts a slight lead over President Obama in the first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the presidential race in the key swing state of Florida.

Romney earns support from 46% of Likely Voters in the Sunshine State to Obama's 42%. Nine percent (9%) prefer some other candidate, while four percent (4%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is nearly tied with the president, with Obama posting a narrow 45% to 43% lead in this matchup. Eight percent (8%) like another candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.

This Florida survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on November 17, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.