Americans are evenly divided as to whether the war in Iraq is part of the larger War on Terror or a distraction from it. The latest Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey finds that 43% believe Iraq is part of the War on Terror while 44% disagree and view it as a distraction.
Immigration is an issue clearly on voters’ minds according to the results of a recent Rasmussen Reports poll.
When comparing Job Approval ratings between different polling firms, it’s important to focus on trends rather than absolute numbers. One reason for this is that different firms ask Job Approval questions in different ways.
A week into the renewed violence between Israel and Lebanon triggered by the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers, 56% of Americans say that Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah is to blame for the conflict.
A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 1,000 adults found that 71% of Americans consider terrorism the bigger threat.
News that House Republicans plan to hold public hearings on the immigration issue rather than move quickly to negotiate compromise legislation with the Senate confirms a tremendous shift in what passes for conventional wisdom in Washington, DC.
Forty-four percent (44%) of Americans believe that, in ten years, most new cars sold will be hybrid vehicles using both a traditional motor and an electric engine.
Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans agree with President Bush's approach on the immigration issue. An equal number disagree, while 22% are not sure.
Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans say that the immigration issue is "very important" in terms of how they will vote this November.
Support for an enforcement first policy on immigration tops the 60% mark in all but one of 33 states polled by Rasmussen Reports over the past month.
Most of what passes for political debate in Washington, DC and on campaign trails revolves around poll-tested positions on well established issues.
Nationwide rallies, protests, and boycotts on Monday had little if any impact on public opinion.
Heading into a day of planned protests and boycotts for immigrant rights, just 24% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the people who have recently marched and protested for immigrant rights in major cities.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean even stated that enforcement of the border is his party's top priority. As a result, Democrats appear to have won round two of the debate among the general public--42% now trust Dean's party more on this issue while 35% trust the GOP.
In 25 of the 27 states, a majority of voters favored a barrier (the only exceptions were Vermont with 44% in favor of a barrier and Massachusetts with 49% support). In a dozen states, the number in favor of a barrier topped 60%.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey found that 37% of Americans now trust Republicans more than Democrats on the issue of immigration.
Forty-six percent (46%) of Americans said that they prefer the candidate with the harder line on illegal aliens while 38% opt for the candidate who wants to expand legal opportunities for foreign workers to find jobs.
Two-thirds (68%) of Americans believe it is possible to reduce illegal immigration while just 20% disagree. The belief that the issue could be addressed adds to the intensity of the debate.
As Congress considers legislation to reform the immigration process, the nation remains divided on how to proceed.
