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Mood of America Archive

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November 14, 2012

30% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job

Views of the U.S. Supreme Court's performance are little changed, but fewer voters now believe justices nominated by President Obama are too liberal. 

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely Voters rate the job the Supreme Court is doing as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-four percent (24%) consider the high court’s performance poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 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.

November 13, 2012

10% Rate Congress’ Job Performance As Good or Excellent

Following the election, most voters still believe that Congress is doing a poor job. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of Likely Voters rate Congress’ job performance as good or excellent, while 61% say they are doing a poor job.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 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.

November 11, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 45%, Republicans 42%

Democrats now lead Republicans by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 11, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 42% would choose the Republican instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from November 5-11, 2012. 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.

November 11, 2012

45% Say America’s Best Days Are in the Past, 43% Say They Still Lie Ahead

As Barack Obama prepares to serve a second term as President, American voters are closely divided as to whether the nation’s best days are behind us or still to come. Forty-five percent (45%) of Likely U.S. Voters feel that America’s best days are in the past, but nearly as many (43%) think they are in the future, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 7, 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.

November 7, 2012

43% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Forty-three percent (43%) 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, November 4.

That’s up four points from 39% last week which marked the highest level of optimism since May 2009. The latest finding, the highest of the Obama presidency, is up 19 points from 24% at the beginning of the year and up 26 points from 17% a year ago.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen October 29-November 4, 2012. 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

November 6, 2012

49% Say U.S. and Allies Are Winning War on Terror

Voter confidence in U.S. efforts in the War on Terror has inched up slightly since the September 11 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including the U.S. ambassador there. However, the number of voters who say the terrorists are winning the conflict also has grown.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows 49% believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, but 25% think the terrorists are winning that war.  Another 19% say neither side has the advantage.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 2,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 31-November 1, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

November 5, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 46%, Democrats 46%

Republicans and Democrats are tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 4, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 46% would choose the Democrat instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 29-November 4, 2012. 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.

November 1, 2012

48% Trust GOP More to Handle Economy, 44% Trust Democrats

Voters continue to regard the economy as the number one voting issue, and Republicans still have a slight edge in voter trust when it comes to the economy and six other major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports.

New national telephone surveying finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters trust the Republicans more when it comes to the economy, while 44% have more faith in the Democrats. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on October 21-22 and 23-24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

November 1, 2012

39% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-nine percent (39%) 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, October 28.

That’s up two points from last week and the highest level of optimism since May 2009. The latest finding is up 15 points from 24% at the beginning of the year and up 22 points from 17% a year ago.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen October 22-28, 2012. 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.

October 29, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 46%, Democrats 43%

Republicans now lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending October 28, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 43% would choose the Democrat instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 22-28, 2012. 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.

October 22, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republican 44%, Democrats 43%

Republicans have reclaimed the lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot, leading Democrats by one point for the week ending October 21, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 43% would choose the Democrat instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 15-21, 2012. 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.

October 17, 2012

37% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-seven percent (37%) 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, October 14.

That’s down a point from 38% the week before which marked the highest level of optimism since June 2009. The latest finding is up 13 points from 24% at the beginning of the year and up 21 points from 16% a year ago.

From July 25 through December 11 of last year, voter confidence in the nation's current course resembled levels measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration, remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. That finding began climbing in early January of this year to a high of 34% in the second week of February and then regularly tracked in the high 20s to low 30s until the week of September 3-9.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen October 8-14, 2012. 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.

October 15, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 42%

Democrats continue to lead Republicans by one point on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending October 14, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 42% would choose the Republican instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 8-14, 2012. 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.

October 10, 2012

38% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-eight percent (38%) 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, October 7.

That’s up a point from 37% the week before and is the highest level of optimism since June 2009. The latest finding is up 14 points from 24% at the beginning of the year and up 22 points from 16% a year ago.

From July 25 through December 11 of last year, voter confidence in the nation's current course resembled levels measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration, remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. That finding began climbing in early January of this year to a high of 34% in the second week of February and then regularly tracked in the high 20s to low 30s until the week of September 3-9.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen October 1-7, 2012. 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.

October 8, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 44%, Republicans 43%

Democrats now lead Republicans by one point on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending October 7, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 43% would choose the Republican instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 1-7, 2012. 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.

October 4, 2012

37% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-seven percent (37%) 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, September 30.

That’s up a point from 36% the week before and matches the highest level of optimism since late June 2009, reached early last month.

From July 25 through December 11 of last year, voter confidence in the nation's current course resembled levels measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration, remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. That finding began climbing in early January of this year to a high of 34% in the second week of February and then regularly tracked in the high 20s to low 30s until the week of September 3-9.

(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 September 24-30, 2012. 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.

October 1, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 45%, Democrats 41%

Republicans now lead Democrats by four points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending September 30, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 41% would choose the Democrat instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 24-30, 2012. 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.

September 26, 2012

36% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-six percent (36%) 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, September 23.

That’s up a point from 35% the week before and down just one point from 37% two weeks ago, the highest level of optimism since late June 2009.

From July 25 through December 11 of last year, voter confidence in the nation's current course resembled levels measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration, remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. That finding began climbing in early January of this year to a high of 34% in the second week of February and had been in the high 20s to low 30s in weekly tracking until three weeks ago.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen September 17-23, 2012. 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.

September 26, 2012

45% Say U.S. and Allies are Winning War on Terror

As anger against America spreads in the Middle East, fewer voters believe the United States is winning the War on Terror and is safer today than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  Voter pessimism about the situation in Afghanistan also continues to grow. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely Voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, while 21% think the terrorists are winning that war.  Another 26% say neither side has the advantage.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription. Offer good through October 1, 2012.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 23-24, 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.

September 24, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 43%

Republicans continue to lead Democrats by just one point on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending September 23, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 43% would choose the Democrat instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 17-23, 2012. 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.