Winner of the First Debate: Jim Lehrer
The winner of the first Presidential debate was moderator and PBS television personality Jim Lehrer. After earlier polls showing that most voters expect the moderators to be biased, 76% say Lehrer was neutral.
Elections
Most Recent Releases
September 27, 2008
September 26, 2008
48% Disagree with McCain, Think Debate Should Go On
Nearly half (48%) of voters disagree with John McCain’s request to postpone the first presidential debate tonight because of the country’s ongoing financial problems. Thirty four percent (34%) think McCain is right, and nearly one-out-of-five voters (18%) are undecided.
September 24, 2008
Palin Still Viewed More Favorably – And Unfavorably – Than Biden
A month after they were named the vice presidential candidates of their respective parties, Sarah Palin is still viewed more favorably by voters than Joseph Biden, 54% to 49%. She also draws stronger feelings - pro and con - in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
September 23, 2008
Most Voters say Debate Moderators are Biased
Three out of four U.S. voters (74%) say they are Very Likely to watch the upcoming presidential debates, but over half (56%) think debate moderators are biased in their questioning, according to new Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys taken Friday and Saturday nights.
September 20, 2008
New Rasmussen Reports Party Weighting Targets: 39.0% Democrat 33.5% Republican
Like all polling firms, Rasmussen Reports weights its data to reflect the population at large. Among other targets, Rasmussen Reports weights data by political party affiliation using a dynamic weighting process.
September 18, 2008
McCain, Obama Yet To Convince Voters on Economic Crisis
Neither presidential candidate has convinced a majority of voters that they know how to handle the country's growing economic crisis, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
September 17, 2008
Just 23% Say Presidential Campaign More Negative Than Most
Most voters (55%) say the tone of this year’s presidential campaign is about the same as in other recent election years, despite complaints from Barack Obama’s side and some in the media that John McCain has been campaigning negatively.
September 17, 2008
Just Over One-Third Say Palin, McCain, Obama More Ethical Than Most Politicians
Despite both sides running campaigns aimed at changing a climate of special interest corruption in Washington, just over one-third of voters find three of the four major-ticket candidates more ethical than most politicians.
September 16, 2008
Palin 47%, Biden 44% in Make-believe Presidential Match-up
Sarah Palin bests Joseph Biden 47% to 44% in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up for the presidency, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
September 15, 2008
Majority of Voters Say Only McCain, Biden Prepared To Be President
Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters say John McCain is prepared right now to be president, and 50% say the same thing about Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden. Forty-four percent (44%) say the man at the top of Biden's ticket, Barack Obama, is ready, but 45% say he isn’t.
September 15, 2008
Voters Say No to Obama in McCain’s Cabinet, and Vice Versa
A majority of Americans think it’s a good idea for a president to put members of the opposing political party in his Cabinet, as long as it’s not Barack Obama or John McCain.
September 14, 2008
New Rasmussen Reports Party Weighting Targets: 38.7% Democrat 33.6% Republican
Like all polling firms, Rasmussen Reports weights its data to reflect the population at large. Among other targets, Rasmussen Reports weights data by political party affiliation using a dynamic weighting process.
September 14, 2008
35% Expect McCain Victory, 34% Say Obama Will Win
John McCain's convention and his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate have moved him from 18 points behind to a one-point lead over Barack Obama when voters are asked who is likely to win this year's presidential election, according to a new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey.
September 12, 2008
Voters Strongly Favor Offshore Drilling, Alternative Energy Plans
Seven out of 10 voters (69%) support offshore oil drilling, and even more (77%) favor tax incentives for the development of alternative energy sources, which means Congress is on track with the energy bill it is expected to pass in the next two weeks.
September 11, 2008
63% Say McCain Likely to Reach Across the Aisle, 51% Say Obama Will
If elected President, 63% of voters say that John McCain is likely to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats to pass important legislation. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 51% say that Barack Obama will do the same if elected.
September 11, 2008
61% of Republicans More Likely to Give Thanks to Palin; 46% of Democrats Say Same of Biden
Call it the vice presidential battle for campaign cash. So far John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate has Republicans far more likely to give money to his campaign than Democrats responding to Barack Obama’s selection of Joseph Biden.
September 10, 2008
69% Say Reporters Try To Help The Candidate They Want To Win
Seven out of 10 voters (69%) remain convinced that reporters try to help the candidate they want to win, and this year by a nearly five-to-one margin voters believe they are trying to help Barack Obama.
September 10, 2008
Palin Gets Rave Reviews in Alaska, Viewed Favorably by 56% Nationwide
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 72% of voters in her home state, including 56% who hold a Very Favorable opinion of her.
September 8, 2008
Rasmussen Markets Update: Obama-McCain a Toss-Up
Since early May, Rasmussen Markets data has shown Barack Obama as the favorite to be the next President of the United States. From the time he wrapped up the Democratic Presidential Nomination on June 3, market expectations have consistently given Obama a roughly 60% chance of victory.
September 5, 2008
Palin Power: Fresh Face Now More Popular Than Obama, McCain
A week ago, most Americans had never heard of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Now, following a Vice Presidential acceptance speech viewed live by more than 40 million people, Palin is viewed favorably by 58% of American voters.
