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Rasmussen Employment Index Drops Slightly in April from Six-Year High

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence dipped less than a point in April, coming off a six-year high.

At 95.6, worker confidence is down just slightly from the high of 96.2 reached in March. The index hit a low for 2013 of 81.2 in October but gained ground steadily after that. It stood at 90.7 a year ago.

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The survey of 9,087 working Americans was conducted in March 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Maine Governor: LePage (R) 40%, Michaud (D) 40%, Cutler (I) 14%

Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud is tied with incumbent Republican Paul LePage in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at Maine’s three-way race for governor.

A new statewide telephone survey finds Michaud and LePage each earning the support of 40% of Likely Maine Voters. Independent Eliot Cutler is a distant third with 14% of the vote. One percent (1%) likes another candidate, and five percent (5%) 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 830 Likely Voters in Maine was conducted on April 23-25, 2014 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.

43% View Attorney General Eric Holder Unfavorably

Attorney General Eric Holder, who has tangled repeatedly with Republicans in Congress and was forced last week to cancel a public appearance in Oklahoma in the face of public protests, remains one of the best-known and least-liked members of President Obama's Cabinet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Holder, while 43% view him unfavorably. This includes seven percent (7%) who view the nation's top law enforcement officer Very Favorably and 29% who view him Very Unfavorably.

One-in-three voters (33%) don't know enough about Holder to voice any kind of opinion of him, but most Cabinet members are far more anonymous than that as far as the public is concerned. Holder is less well-known but just as unpopular as Secretary of State John Kerry and departing Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius among the president's Cabinet officers. (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 April 23-24, 2014 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: Republicans 40%, Democrats 38%

Republicans have taken a two-point lead over Democrats on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, April 27.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 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 38% would choose the Democrat instead.

(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 April 21-27, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Maine Senate: Collins (R) 60%, Bellows (D) 24%

Republican Senator Susan Collins appears to be on an easy path to reelection in Maine this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely Maine Voters support Collins, while her Democratic opponent, Shenna Bellows, earns 24% of the vote. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate in the race, and nine percent (9%) 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 830 Likely Voters in Maine was conducted on April 23-25, 2014 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.

37% Favor Single-Payer Health Care System

A plurality of voters still opposes the national health care law’s insurance mandate and a single-payer health care system.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government should require every American to buy or obtain health insurance. Forty-five percent (45%) oppose this so-called individual mandate. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 19-20, 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls Week of April 26

Who’s in charge here?

35% Think U.S. Doesn't Spend Enough on Schools

Voters still don’t really know how much the United States spends per student each year, but when given the exact figure, just one-third think it's not enough.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters correctly recognize that the United States spends about $11,000 per year per student. Forty-three percent (43%) think it's less that that, with 11% who believe the per-student figure is $3,000. Seven percent (7%) think the nation spends an average of $13,000 per student per year. Forty-one percent (41%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 24-25, 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.

45% Rate Obama's Leadership As Poor

The number of voters who rate President Obama’s leadership as poor is at the highest level of his entire presidency.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a poor job. That’s up five points from 40% a month ago and the president’s worst showing in monthly surveying since November 2008. Nearly as many (41%) rate the president’s job performance as good or excellent, although that’s down from 44% in the previous survey. (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 March 20-21, 2014 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.

Florida Governor: Crist (D) 45%, Scott (R) 39%

Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist leads incumbent GOP Governor Rick Scott by six points in Rasmussen Reports' first look at Florida’s 2014 gubernatorial race.

The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters shows Crist, who served as governor from 2007 to 2011, picking up 45% of the vote to Scott’s 39%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while 10% 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 750 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on April 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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 think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending April 20.

The finding is down two points from 31% the previous week. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been in the narrow range of 28% to 30% for 16 out of the 18 weeks since mid-December.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on April 14-20, 2014. 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.

35% Think U.S., Allies Winning War on Terror

Belief that America is winning the War on Terror and is safer than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks have fallen to their lowest levels in three years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror. But that’s down from 39% in January and is the most pessimistic assessment since April 2011. Fifty percent (50%) felt America and its allies were winning a year ago. 

Twenty-seven percent (27%) say the terrorists are winning the War on Terror, down from a recent high of 30% in January. Just as many (28%) say neither side is winning. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 17-18, 2014 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: Republicans 41%, Democrats 40%

Republicans have edged ahead of Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, April 20.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.

(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 April 14-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kansas Governor: Brownback (R) 47%, Davis (D) 40%

Republican Governor Sam Brownback leads his likely Democratic challenger by single digits in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at his bid for reelection in Kansas.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters shows Brownback picking up 47% of the vote to State Representative Paul Davis’ 40%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while seven percent (7%) 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 750 Likely Voters in Kansas was conducted on April 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

45% View Health Care Law Favorably

Favorable views of the new national health care law are at their highest level since October, but voters remain adamant about being able to choose their own level of health insurance based on what it covers and how much it costs.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Likely U.S. Voters now view the health care law at least somewhat favorably, while 51% continue to hold an unfavorable opinion of it, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 21% with a Very Favorable view and 38% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 April 19-20, 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week Ending April 19

Americans have long prided themselves on their exceptionalism, but these days they have a deeply cynical view of many of the nation’s foundational institutions.

Kansas Senate: Roberts (R) 54%, Sebelius (D) 37%

Incumbent Republican Pat Roberts runs well ahead of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and one other potential Democratic challenger in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 U.S. Senate race in Kansas.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters shows Roberts with a 17-point lead over Sebelius - 54% to 37%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) 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 750 Likely Voters in Kansas was conducted on April 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

62% View U.S. Economy As Unfair to the Middle Class

Most voters continue to believe that the U.S. economy is fair to women, blacks and Hispanics but still view it as unfair to the middle class.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the economy is fair to the middle class, little changed from December but down from a high of 43% in January of last year. Sixty-two percent (62%) describe the economy as unfair to the middle class, down from a high of 66% in December but more in line with regular findings for the past year. These findings include five percent (5%) who say the economy is Very Fair and 21% who see it as Not At All Fair. (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 April 13-14, 2014 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.

6% Rate Congress’s Performance as Good or Excellent

Congress earns its lowest performance ratings in months, while fewer voters than ever think members of Congress actually listen to them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, its lowest positives since last June. Sixty-three percent (63%) rate Congress' job performance poorly. Still, that's down 12 points from an eight-year high of 75% last November amidst the troubled rollout of the new national health care law. (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 April 15-16, 2014 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.

South Carolina Governor: Haley (R) 52%, Sheheen (D) 37%

Incumbent Republican Nikki Haley holds a double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Vincent Sheheen in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 gubernatorial rematch in South Carolina.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely South Carolina Voters finds Haley with 52% support to 37% for Sheheen. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) 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 750 Likely Voters in South Carolina was conducted on April 14-15, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.