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41% Favor Raising Eligibility Age To Keep Medicare Solvent

Voters still aren't very confident that they will get all their Medicare benefits, and a plurality favors raising the eligibility age to keep the program running for future generations.

Just 39% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Medicare system will pay them all promised benefits during their lifetime, including 12% who are Very Confident. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% are not confident the government health insurance program for the elderly will pay them all their promised benefits, with 26% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 16-17, 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 telephone survey for the week ending September 15.

Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week before Election Day. It fell steadily after that to a low for the year to date of 26% in mid- to late July.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 2-8, 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 38%, Republicans 38%

Democrats and Republicans are once again tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending September 15.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 38% would choose the Republican instead.  The week before, the two parties were tied at 39% apiece.  For much of the summer, neither has hit the 40% mark, suggesting a high level of voter unhappiness with both major political parties.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 9-15, 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.

41% Give Obama Positive Marks for Health Care, 44% Say Poor

Despite continuing controversy and questions about the new national health care law as it nears fuller implementation, voter attitudes about President Obama's handling of the health care issue remain unchanged. Forty-one percent (41%) of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to health care issues, while 44% rate his performance in this area as poor, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Obama's positives are up from June's low of 38% but consistent with regular surveying since February. Those giving the president poor marks have changed very little all year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

54% Expect Health Care Costs To Rise Under Obamacare

Most voters still don't like the national health care law and expect it to increase, not reduce, health care costs.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, but 53% view it unfavorably. As has been the case since the law's passage by Congress in March 2010, the passion remains on the side of its opponents: The new findings include 18% with a Very Favorable opinion of the law, but more than twice as many (38%) view it Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending September 14, 2013

As President Obama moved his plans for a military strike on Syria back from a full boil to a simmer this past week, a nervous nation observed the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

NJ Governor: Christie Maintains Big Lead Over Buono

The odds are still high for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to keep his job.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national survey of the Garden State’s gubernatorial race shows Christie with 58% of vote against Democratic State Senator Barbara Buono's 32%. Just two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, while eight percent (8%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The state survey of 999 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted September 10-11, 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.

44% Say Obama is Very Liberal, 35% Say Same of Biden

Most voters have little doubt that President Obama and Vice President Biden are liberals.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the president at least somewhat liberal in political terms, the highest since the beginning of the year. This includes 44% who believe he is Very Liberal. Twenty-one percent (21%) feel the president is politically moderate. Just five percent (5%) consider Obama conservative, with two percent (2%) who say he is Very Conservative. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 10-11, 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.

65% Don't Think U.S. Does Enough to Develop Its Energy Resources

Most voters continue to believe the United States could be doing more to develop its own energy resources and are closely divided over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.   

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States does enough to develop its own gas and oil resources.  Sixty-five percent (65%) say the United States does not do enough, but that's down from a high of 76% in March 2011. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 10-11, 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 telephone survey for the week ending September 8.

Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week before Election Day. It fell steadily after that to a low for the year to date of 26% in mid- to late July.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 2-8, 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 tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending September 8.

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 another 39% would choose the Republican instead.  The week before, the Democrat held a two-point advantage, 39% to 37%.  For much of the summer, neither party has hit the 40% mark, suggesting a high level of voter unhappiness.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 2-8, 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.

Most Voters Still Don't Know If Their State Has A Health Care Exchange

Less than one month before government health care exchanges nationwide are scheduled to begin accepting applicants for health insurance, most voters still don't know if their state has created an exchange or not. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% are aware that their state has agreed to set up a health care exchange. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say they don't know if their state has such an exchange, and 26% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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How did you do in this summer’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 6-7, 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. 

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending September 7, 2013

Congress is back in session this coming week with three critical issues demanding its attention – Syria, the October 1 deadline to raise the federal debt ceiling and immigration reform. Voters have pretty strong opinions on all three.

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 45%, Cuccinelli (R) 38%

Democrat Terry McAuliffe has opened up a seven-point lead over Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as the Virginia gubernatorial race enters the post-Labor Day stretch.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds McAuliffe with 45% support to Cuccinelli’s 38%. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, while 10% remain unsure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 998 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on September 3-4, 2013 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. 

7% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job

Congress can’t win: It leaves Washington, DC for its August recess, and its job performance ratings still drop. Most senators and congressmen spent at least some of the recess at home, but voters’ opinions of them remained just as low.

Just seven percent (7%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% rate the legislators’ performance as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

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 telephone survey for the week ending September 1.

The latest finding is up one point from the previous week.  Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week before Election Day. It fell steadily after that to a low for the year to date of 26% in mid- to late July.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on August 26-September 1, 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 Are Still Most Important Voting Issues

The economy and health care remain at the top of the list of 15 important voting issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. 

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Likely U.S. Voters consider the economy Very Important in terms of how they will vote in the next congressional election, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on August 19-20, 25-26 & 29-30, 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Rebounds in August

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence rose more than three points in August and more closely matches the level measured at the start of the year.

At 86.5, worker confidence is up from July’s 2013 low of 83.1. Worker confidence is down just over half a point from the beginning of the year but is still up nearly 15 points from a year ago. The Employment Index reached a near six-year high of 94.4 in May. However, the Index is down 13 points from August 2007.

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The survey of 9,200 working Americans was conducted in August 2013 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 37%

Democrats lead Republicans by two points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending September 1.

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 37% would choose the Republican instead.  The week before, the GOP held a one-point advantage, 39% to 38%.

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Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 37%

Democrats lead Republicans by two points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending September 1.

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 37% would choose the Republican instead.  The week before, the GOP held a one-point advantage, 39% to 38%.

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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.