Mood of America Archive

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Republicans continue to hold a one-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending July 7, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat instead. The week before, the GOP also led by one - 39% to 38%.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 1-7, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

7% Think Congress Doing Good or Excellent Job

When Congress returns from its Fourth of July recess, the legislators will face the same abysmal ratings from the electorate.

Just seven percent (7%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-five percent (65%) say Congress is doing a poor job. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on June 30 – July 1, 2013 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.

30% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 30% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, June 30.

That’s also unchanged from a year ago and is consistent with voter attitudes for more than four months now. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 24-30, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 39%, Democrats 38%

Republicans have gained the edge over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 30, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat instead. The week before, Democrats led by one.  This is the second time in the past three weeks that both were below 40%, something that hasn't happened since June 2009.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 24-30, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Public Approval of Supreme Court Falls to All-Time Low

The U.S. Supreme Court finished its term with big decisions on voting rights, affirmative action and same-sex marriage. Following those rulings, public approval of the court has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded in more than nine years of polling.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 28% believe the Supreme Court is doing a good or an excellent job. At the same time, 30% rate its performance as poor. That’s the highest-ever poor rating. It’s also the first time ever that the poor ratings have topped the positive assessments. Thirty-nine percent (39%) give the court middling reviews and rate its performance as fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 28-29, 2013 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.

30% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, June 23.

That’s up a point from the previous week, is virtually unchanged from a year ago and is consistent with voter attitudes for more than three months now.  Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 17-23, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Economy, Health Care Continue to Lead List of Important Issues

The economy and health care again top the list of 15 voting issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports, while the environment and the war in Afghanistan are among the issues voters regard as least important.

New national telephone surveying finds that 77% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the economy Very Important in terms of how they will vote in the next congressional election. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

The surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on June 16-17, 20-21 & 24-25, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 39%

Democrats have pulled ahead by one point again on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 23, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead. Last week, the two parties were tied at 39% apiece. It was the first time since June 2009 that both were below 40%.

For the past 10 weeks, the two parties have been separated by two points or less. 

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 17-23, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

40% Say Supreme Court Is Too Politically Liberal

With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to issue several major end-of-the term rulings, more voters than ever think the justices are too liberal. Overall ratings for the high court are near all-time lows.

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-four percent (24%) give the court poor marks for its performance. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 18-19, 2013 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.

29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, June 16.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 10-16, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 39%

Democrats and Republicans are now tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 16, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead.

This is the first time since June 2009 that both parties are below 40%.  “This could be a sign that voters are just fed up with both parties,” noted Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 10-16, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-one percent (31%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, June 9.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 3-9, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%

Democrats are ahead again on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 9, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

For the last seven weeks, the gap between the two parties has been two points or less. In the previous survey, the two parties were tied for the first time since the week before Election Day in early November. Although Democrats have held a slight advantage most weeks since last November, their support is down from a high of 47% in early December.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 3-9, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

32% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, June 2.

That’s up two points from the past three weeks. The latest findings are nearly identical to those a year ago and in line with voter attitudes since early March after President Obama and Congress failed to agree on a budget cutting plan and the so-called sequester cuts kicked in. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on May 27-June 2, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

6% Think Congress Doing Good or Excellent Job

Positive assessments of Congress’ job performance remain in single digits again this month, and they’re not thrilled with their own representative either.

Only six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters give Congress good or excellent marks for the job it is doing, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-four percent (64%) rate its performance as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.) Those ratings are little changed from April.

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(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 Likely Voters was conducted on June 2-3, 2013 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 40%

Republicans and Democrats are now tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 2, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 40% would choose the Republican instead. The last time the two parties were tied was the week before Election Day in early November.

For the last seven weeks, the gap between the two parties has been two points or less. In the previous survey, Democrats led by two points. One week prior to that, Republicans led by one, only the second time since Election Day that the GOP had led on the Generic Ballot. Although Democrats have held a slight advantage most weeks since last November, their support is down from a high of 47% in early December.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 27-June 2, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

GOP Trusted More on Economy and Most Other Issues

Voters continue to trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to handling the economy, the issue they consider most important to their vote. But for the first time since Election Day, the GOP has regained the trust advantage on the majority of major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. 

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Three national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on May 15-16, May 19-20 & May 23-24, 2013 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.

30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the third week in a row, 30% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 26.

The latest findings are nearly identical to those a year ago and in line with voter attitudes since early March after President Obama and Congress failed to agree on a budget cutting plan and the so-called sequester cuts kicked in. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on May 20-26, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 39%

Democrats are now back on top of the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending May 26.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead.

The Generic Congressional Ballot is one of several measures that capture the general public mood. It often shows trends that are similar to the president’s job approval ratings and the number who believe the country is generally heading in the right direction.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 20-26, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 30% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 19. 

The latest findings are almost identical to those a year ago and in line with voter attitudes since early March after President Obama and Congress failed to agree on a budget cutting plan and the so-called sequester cuts kicked in. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on May 13-19, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.