General Politics

64% Favor Death Penalty for Benghazi Killings Suspect

Voters strongly believe the Islamic militant seized Sunday night as a suspect in the murder of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in Libya should be tried here and, if found guilty, should be sentenced to death.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that despite the Libyan government’s demand that Ahmed Abu Khattalah be returned to their country, 70% of Likely U.S. Voters believe he should be tried in U.S. courts. Just 14% think the man identified by the Obama administration as the mastermind behind the killings should be returned to the Libyans. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 18-19, 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.

55% Expect Government Spending to Go Up Under Obama

Most voters still think government spending will increase under President Obama, but the number who expect tax hikes during the remainder of his second term remains at its recent low. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters expect their own personal taxes to go up under the Obama administration. That is unchanged from March and ties the lowest level measured since November 2012. A year ago, 47% expected taxes to increase. Still, just nine percent (9%) now expect their taxes to go down under Obama, while 44% predict that they will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

63% View Quick Fixes to Obamacare Unlikely

Voters still doubt the problems with Obamacare will be fixed in the near future but also remain closely divided over how the new health care law will influence their vote in the November congressional election.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is unlikely that most of the current problems with the health care law will be fixed within the next year. This finding has inched up from 59% in December after the troubled rollout of the law and 60% in February. Thirty-five percent (35%) believe the law is likely to be fixed by then. These findings include 12% who say most of the law’s problems are Very Likely to be fixed within a year and 35% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 8-9, 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.

65% Would Rather Be Called A Good Citizen Than A Patriot

Americans would rather be seen as good citizens than patriots and are closely divided on the role of the government in bringing about needed change.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults rate being a patriot ahead of being a good citizen. Sixty-five percent (65%) would rather be called a good citizen instead. Surveys of likely U.S. voters have found this sentiment on the rise from 52% in May 2010 to 62% two years ago. (To see survey question wording, click here)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 9-10, 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.

29% Favor Ban on Hate Speech

Most Americans still worry about so-called hate speech but strongly defend an individual's right to say what he or she wants without government interference

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults consider hate speech at least a somewhat serious problem in America today, up 10 points from a year ago. This includes 30% who say it is a Very Serious one. Just 27% rate hate speech as a not very or Not At All serious problem. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 5-6, 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.

61% Think America is Too Politically Correct

Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich's recent forced resignation over a political contribution he made three years ago in support of traditional marriage prompted even leading gay columnist Andrew Sullivan to say political correctness has gone too far. More Americans than ever consider the United States too politically correct, and most agree that a company's product is more important than the views of those who run the company.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults believe America today has become too politically correct. That number has been climbing since October 2010. Just 12% think the United States is not politically correct enough, while 16% think the amount of political correctness is about right. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 5-6, 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% of GOP Voters Say Tea Party Will Hurt Their Party in 2014 Elections

In a survey conducted prior to last night’s stunning defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by a Tea Party candidate in Virginia, Republican voters are showing slightly less enthusiasm for the movement and its potential impact on this year’s elections. But GOP voters remain strongly convinced that it is important for Republicans in Congress to work with the Tea Party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of all Likely Voters view the Tea Party movement favorably. Fifty percent (50%) view the smaller government/lower taxes movement unfavorably. A sizable 22% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 4-5, 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.

Most Like New EPA Emissions Controls But Say Congress Needs to OK First

Voters continue to have a love-hate relationship with environmental regulations. Most approve of the EPA’s new restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions even though they expect energy costs to rise as a result, but they also don’t think the agency should be able move ahead on energy controls like this without Congress’ approval.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters approve of new environmental regulations to place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 30% oppose the regulations intended to reduce the emissions 30% by the year 2030 as part of the EPA’s effort to fight global warming. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

56% Want Federal Spending Cuts Across the Board

Most voters still recognize a need for spending cuts in the federal budget, but few are convinced they’ll actually happen. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government. That’s down from 59% in February and 63% in October 2013. One-in-three (31%) disagree, while another 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on May 29-30, 2014 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.

42% Think Snowden Is A Spy

Edward Snowden said in a recent television interview that he is a patriot, but a sizable number of voters think the man who disclosed the National Security Agency’s domestic phone and email surveillance program should be considered a spy instead.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the 30-year-old Snowden, while 48% view him unfavorably. This includes seven percent (7%) with a Very Favorable view of the former NSA intelligence analyst and 20% with a Very Unfavorable one. Eight percent (8%) say they have never heard of Snowden, while 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 31-June 1, 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.

40% Approve of POW/Taliban Prisoner Swap, 43% Oppose

Most voters oppose hostage negotiations with terrorist groups like the Taliban, but voters are almost evenly divided over the prisoner swap that freed the only known U.S. military POW in Afghanistan.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the U.S. government’s decision to release five Taliban leaders from the Guantanamo terrorist prison camp in exchange for the one U.S. military prisoner of war behind held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Slightly more voters (43%) disagree with that decision. Seventeen percent (17%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 2-3, 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.

60% Say U.S. Leaders Send Troops Into Danger Too Often

U.S. voters continue to believe the nation’s leaders are too eager to send American soldiers into action, with nearly half who say the United States is already too involved in the affairs of other nations.

Just 33% of Likely U.S. Voters think the current level of U.S. involvement around the globe is about right. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% believe the United States is too involved in the affairs of other countries, while 11% say America is not involved enough. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

42% Think VA Secretary Shinseki Should Resign

Most voters think it’s likely President Obama or his top staffers were aware of the problems at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before they became public, and a plurality believes the head of the department should resign.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), while 62% view that department unfavorably. This includes three percent (3%) with a Very Favorable view and 26% with a Very Unfavorable one. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 25-26, 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.

Bigger Problem in Politics? 48% Say Media Bias, 44% Campaign Cash

Voters overwhelmingly believe wealthy donors and special interest groups pull the strings in Washington, but nearly half still think media bias is a bigger problem in politics today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the wealthiest individuals and companies have too much influence over government decisions. Just four percent (4%) say wealthy individuals and companies have too little influence in Washington, while 15% say their level of influence is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 21-22, 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.

47% Say U.S. Safer Today Because of Guantanamo Prison

Most voters still oppose closing the Guantanamo terrorist prison camp and moving some of those inmates to a U.S. facility. Nearly half think the United States is safer because suspected terrorists have been imprisoned there.

Democrats in Congress are again pushing legislation to close the Guantanamo facility, but a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters think the prison for suspected terrorists at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba should be closed. That’s up slightly from 23% in April of last year but still down dramatically from the 44% who favored closure in January 2009 when President Obama first announced his plan to do so.

Fifty-four percent (54%) disagree and say the Guantanamo prison should not be closed, consistent with most surveys for several years. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% View Major Cyberattack on U.S. An Act of War

Following a U.S. indictment of five Chinese military hackers charged with stealing commercial secrets, slightly fewer American voters are willing to call a major cyberattack on the United States by another country an act of war. But a plurality continues to be believe cyberattacks pose a bigger economic threat than traditional military attacks.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of America’s computer infrastructure from cyberattack, including 43% who are Very Concerned. Just 13% are not very or Not At All Concerned about such an attack. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

83% Think Americans Are Not Informed Voters

Most Americans think voters in this country don’t have enough say in their government, but at the same time they overwhelmingly believe their fellow countrymen don’t fulfill their responsibility to be informed about the things they vote on.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 90% of Likely U.S. Voters think voters in countries with democratically elected governments have a responsibility to be informed about major policy issues. Just five percent (5%) disagree, while another five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

45% Favor Gay Marriage, 41% Oppose

Support for gay marriage is up slightly this month, but voters still generally think it should be a state issue, not a federal one.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now favor gay marriage, while 41% oppose. Support is up a bit from last month, when 43% favored gay marriage and 43% opposed.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Just 21% Give Feds Positive Marks for Handling of Veterans Benefits

With the federal Department of Veterans Affairs embroiled in controversy, Americans give low marks to the benefits for those who have served in the military and rate the government’s administration of those benefits even worse. Those who have received the benefits themselves or have a family member who has are less critical, however.

Just 30% of American Adults rate the level of government benefits for military veterans as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-six percent (26%) consider the benefits to be poor. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 16-17, 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.

62% Say 9/11 Museum Film Should Not Be Changed Because of Muslim Complaints

Just half of Americans say they are likely to visit the new National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York City, but most don't think a historic film shown there should be changed so as not to offend Muslims. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults say they are at least somewhat likely to visit the museum, but that includes just 18% who are Very Likely to do so. Fifty percent (50%) say a visit to the museum is unlikely, with 21% who are Not At All Likely to go there. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 16-17, 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.