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56% Say Gov Investing in Alternative Energy May End Foreign Oil Dependence

Most voters think it's possible for the United States to achieve energy independence through shale oil development and government-funded programs to promote alternative energy sources. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe it is at least somewhat likely that the development of domestic shale oil reserves would end U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Twenty-three percent (23%) consider that unlikely. This includes 28% who think it’s Very Likely and just four percent (4%) who think it’s Not At All Likely. One-in-five (20%), though, are not sure. This has changed little since March of last year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 39%, Democrats 38%

Republicans still hold a one-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending July 14, 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. Last week, Republicans also led by one—40% to 39%. 

(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 July 8-14, 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.

45% View Health Care Law Favorably, 50% Unfavorable

Voters continue to believe that the president’s health care law will increase the federal deficit and cost more than projected.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely Voters now view the health care law favorably, including 15% who view it Very Favorably. Fifty percent (50%) have an unfavorable opinion of the law, with 38% who view it Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Obama’s Positives On Leadership Continue To Fall

Positive assessments of President Obama's leadership have fallen to their lowest level in over a year of regular tracking.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely Voters now consider the president a good or excellent leader.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) give the president poor marks for leadership.  (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 July 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. 

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending July 12, 2013

Two of President Obama’s key initiatives – reforming the health care and immigration systems – are running into more public resistance.

Now that the president has delayed implementation of the employer mandate portion of his new national health care law, voters by a two-to-one margin - 56% to 26% - think he also should delay the requirement that every American buy or obtain health insurance. The House of Representatives is expected to vote next week to delay for one year both the employer and individual mandates.

40% Rate Obama Poorly on National Security

President Obama now earns his most negative ratings on economic and national security issues in months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now give the president poor marks for his handling of national security issues. The same number (40%) gives him good or excellent ratings in this area. This marks little change since late May but is the president's highest negative assessment since March 2011. (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 July 8-9, 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. 

63% View U.S. Economy As Unfair to the Middle Class

More voters than ever view the U.S. economy as unfair, particularly when it comes to middle-class Americans.

Just 38% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider the U.S. economy at least somewhat fair, and that includes only four percent (4%) who say it’s Very Fair, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That overall figure is down seven points from 45% a month ago. Fifty-six percent (56%) view the economy as unfair, with 19% who think it is 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 July 8-9, 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.

27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-seven percent (27%) 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, July 7.

That’s down three points from the previous week and the lowest level of confidence in nearly a year. Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week just before Election Day. It's been gradually decreasing ever since.

(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 July 1-7, 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.

50% Give Obama Poor Marks on Deficit Reduction

President Obama earns his worst ratings yet on deficit reduction and economic fairness.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a good or excellent job handling issues related to deficit reduction.  Fifty percent (50%) give him a poor rating in this area.  (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 July 5, 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: 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%.

(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 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.

62% See Free Market As Better Than More Regulation In Reducing Health Care Costs

Most voters continue to view President Obama’s national health care law unfavorably and believe more strongly than ever that free market competition is a better way to drive health care costs down. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 55% view it unfavorably. This includes 15% with a Very Favorable opinion and nearly three times as many (42%) 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 July 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 July 5, 2013

Americans still share the values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence 237 years ago and remain wary of too much government. It’s clear, too, that many aren’t happy with the government they’ve got.

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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Remains Near Recent High

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence slipped just over a point in June after reaching a near six-year high the previous month.

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.

25% Say High School Graduates Prepared For College

Most voters don’t believe high school graduates have the necessary skills needed for college, and even more think they’re not prepared to enter the workforce.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think most high school graduates have the skills needed for college.  Fifty-eight percent (58%) disagree, while 17% are not sure.  (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 26-27, 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.

17% Say U.S. Public Schools Provide World-Class Education

Confidence in the U.S. public school system’s ability to provide students a world-class education and teach traditional Western values continues to fall.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of Likely Voters still believe that “a world-class education is the single most important factor in determining whether our kids can compete for the best jobs and whether America can outcompete countries around the world.”  A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that just 21% disagree with this view expressed by President Obama in 2011. Another 16% 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 July 22-23, 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.

President Obama’s Full-Month Approval Rating Slips to 47% in June

When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.

President Obama had a challenging month of June, and his total Job Approval rating fell two points to 47%. That ties the president’s lowest approval rating since December 2011. The current rating is more in line with his approval during most of his first term in office.

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.)

The Rasmussen Challenge is taking a break for the holiday week. Try your luck again next week, and win an iPad.

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.