If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003.

General Politics

Most Recent Releases

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November 11, 2008

43% Say It’s Best To Compare A Candidate To Reagan

For most U.S. voters, the only thing worse than calling a candidate a conservative is calling him a liberal.

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November 10, 2008

78% of GOP Voters Say Next President Likely to Be A Republican

Forty-five percent (45%) of Republican voters are Very Confident that a candidate from their party will be the next president after Barack Obama, contrary to reports that suggest the GOP may be demoralized from the Democrat’s big win last Tuesday.

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September 11, 2008

54% Say U.S. Has Changed for the Worse Since 9/11

With the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks this week, over half of Americans (54%) still believe the country has changed for the worse since the events of that day, but this marks the first time the number has fallen in over six years.

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September 9, 2008

Most Voters Say Encouraging Economic Growth is Key, but Big Government is Not the Solution

Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters say encouraging economic growth in America is more important than closing the gap between the rich and poor, and the best way to do that is for the government to move out of the way.

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August 20, 2008

45% Are Very Concerned about Safety of Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons

Forty-five percent (45%) of U.S. voters are very concerned about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons following the resignation of the country’s president, Pervez Musharraf, on Monday, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

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August 17, 2008

Senator who Births Babies gets Boost from Voters

Senator Tom Coburn is unknown to most Americans, but the strange workings of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics could end up making the Oklahoma Republican far more popular than he is today.

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August 14, 2008

47% Favor Government Mandated Political Balance on Radio, TV

Nearly half of Americans (47%) believe the government should require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary, but they draw the line at imposing that same requirement on the Internet. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say leave radio and TV alone, too.

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August 8, 2008

Voters See Stark Differences Between Obama and McCain on Energy Issue

As gas prices soared past the four-dollar-a-gallon mark, the energy issue became one of the key driving issues of Election 2008 and America’s voters perceive a stark difference between Barack Obama and John McCain on the subject.

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July 29, 2008

50% Oppose Tax Increases, Favor Pro-Growth Policy Over One That Guarantees Tax Fairness

With taxes front and center this week in the U.S. presidential campaign, 50% of Americans still see tax increases as bad for the economy and an identical percentage favor a tax policy focused on economic growth rather than fairness.

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July 28, 2008

36% of Voters Say Racism Bigger Problem in U.S. than Sexism

CBS News’ beleaguered anchor Katie Couric says sexism is more common and more acceptable in society than racism, but voters do not agree.

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July 25, 2008

Most Voters Say Olympics Not the Forum for Political Protests

Just over half of all voters (51%) approve of President Bush’s decision to attend the Opening Ceremony, while 22% disapprove. Men are slightly more likely to approve of the President’s decision than women.

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July 24, 2008

54% Back Military Tribunals for Terrorists over U.S. Courts

Most Americans believe suspected terrorists should be tried by military tribunals rather than in U.S. courts, as the first such trial began this week at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.

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July 8, 2008

NRA has Support of 56% of Americans, but its Endorsement Means Little for McCain So Far

Over half of Americans (56%) express a favorable view of the National Rifle Association, although only 17% of voters say they are more likely to vote for John McCain if he is endorsed by the pro-gun lobbying group.

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July 7, 2008

Voters Divided As to Whether Women or African-Americans Face More Discrimination

Voters are evenly divided on whether women or African-Americans are more discriminated against today. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 32% believe African-Americans face more discrimination and 31% believe women do. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are not sure.

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July 7, 2008

55 mph is So 70s: Voters Oppose Lowering National Speed Limit

A proposal to conserve energy by reducing the nationwide speed limit to 55 miles-per-hour is strongly opposed by the nation’s voters. Voters continue to prefer solutions that lead to finding more energy rather than relying upon conservation efforts. Majorities support both drilling for oil in both offshore wells and in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

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July 3, 2008

Only 17% See Working For Government As A Higher Calling

Even as both presidential candidates urge Americans to undertake more public service, over half of U.S. voters reject the idea that such duty is better than working in the private sector, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only one out of six voters view work for the government as a higher calling.

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July 3, 2008

Most Americans Still Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident

In the early summer days of 1776, a group of men gathered in Philadelphia to craft a document that has become one of history’s great declarations of liberty. In an time and place where challenging the King was considered treason, the Continental Congress declared that the King had no right to claim authority over them.

July 3, 2008

59% of voters say Constitution is Just Fine; 39% Say it Doesn’t Restrict Government Enough

Three out of five Americans think the U.S. Constitution is fine as is, but 39% fear it doesn't place enough restrictions on the government, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

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July 2, 2008

Most Americans Proud of U.S. History, Say Other Nations Should Follow America’s Lead

Three out of four Americans are proud of their country’s history, and nearly as many feel the world would be a better place if more nations were like ours.

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June 24, 2008

58% Favor Financial Incentives for Private Companies to Reduce Oil Costs, but McCain Incentive Plans Get Lukewarm Reviews

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters say that the federal government should get “actively involved in efforts to reduce the price of gas and oil.” The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey also found that 58% believe the most effective way for the government to get involved is to provide financial incentives that will encourage private companies to find solutions.