General Politics

GOP Voters Give Rand Paul Much Higher Marks Than McCain, Graham

Republican Senator Rand Paul drew the criticism of two senior GOP senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, for his recent filibuster forcing the Obama administration to say categorically it would not use drones to attack U.S. citizens in this country. But Republicans now have a much more favorable view of Paul than of former presidential candidate McCain.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely GOP Voters have a favorable opinion of the first-term Kentucky senator. That’s up nine points from 58% less than a month ago and includes 35% with a Very Favorable opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Most Americans Reject Bloomberg Ban on Big Soft Drinks

A state Supreme Court judge has stopped New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of large sugary drinks, and Americans couldn’t agree more.

Rasmussen Reports polling found that only nine percent (9%) of American Adults believed the government has the constitutional authority to prevent people from buying sugary drinks when Bloomberg announced his ban last May. Eighty-five percent (85%) disagreed  and said the government does not have that authority.

12% Like Job Senate Is Doing, 19% Say Same of House

Over half of voters think both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are doing a poor job, but nearly as many also prefer having them run by different political parties the way Congress is now. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. Senate is doing a good or excellent job. Fifty-three percent (53%) rate the Senate’s performance as poor.

Nineteen percent (19%) of voters believe the House is doing a good or excellent job, while 51% view its performance as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

6% View Hugo Chavez Favorably

Very few voters have a favorable opinion of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez who died earlier this week, but they’re also not very optimistic that U.S. relations with Venezuela will get any better.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of Chavez. Sixty-seven percent (67%) view the late Venezuelan leader unfavorably, while 27% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

67% Favor Limits on Drone Use

Attorney General Eric Holder continues to defend the use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens abroad suspected of terrorism and hasn’t ruled out their use on targets here in the United States. 

But Rasmussen Reports polling finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the American government’s use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens in other countries who pose a terrorist threat.

(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.

63% Think Congress Can Always Make Things Worse

Few voters believe Congress cares what they think which helps explain why most feel their legislators can always make a bad situation worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the average member of Congress listens to the voters he or she represents more than to congressional party leaders. Eighty-one percent (81%) believe the average member listens most to his or her party’s leaders in Congress. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

41% Recognize Simpson-Bowles Commission Focused On Deficit Cutting

Many in official Washington are now championing the recommendations of the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission for a “balanced approach” to reducing the deficit that includes tax hikes and spending cuts. But for most voters, Simpson-Bowles doesn’t mean a thing. 

Just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters are correctly able to identify the primary focus of the Simpson-Bowles Commission as deficit reduction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 36% are not sure what the purpose of the commission is. Twenty-three percent (23%) thought it had some other focus. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

79% Put Emphasis on Accuracy Over Justice in Journalism

Is it the role of journalists to fairly and accurately cover a news story, or is it more important for them to use their reporting to right wrongs that they see in society? That was the crux of the argument in a recent Washington Post ombudsman’s analysis of his paper’s coverage of the issue of gay marriage.  

65% Say Ban Lobbyists for Firms That Live Off Government

Politico, an inside-the-Beltway publication, reported this week that big business groups did not join in the collective panic coming from official Washington over automatic reductions in the growth of federal spending. It did note an exception, however, among defense firms that are dependent upon government. “Northrop Grumman, for instance, derived 90 percent of its 2012 revenue from the U.S. government. The company recently warned the sequester could cause a new recession and 2 million job losses.” 

Voters are clearly unhappy with a system that many see as crony capitalism. As a result, 65% believe that companies that earn most of their revenue from the government should be banned from hiring lobbyists. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 15% of voters nationwide oppose such a ban. 

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Only 6% Rate News Media As Very Trustworthy

Most voters still get their news from television and consider the news reported by the media generally trustworthy.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they get most of their news from TV, including 32% who get it from cable news networks and 24% who get it from traditional network news. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that another 25% use the Internet as their main source of news, while only 10% still rely on print newspapers. Seven percent (7%) get most of their news from radio. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

27% Think It's Too Easy to Vote in America

Most Americans like the idea of voting by mail but not same-day registration.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is now too hard to vote in the United States. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think it's too easy to vote in America today, while 50% feel the level of difficulty is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 20-21, 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.

42% Have Favorable Opinion of Rubio, 35% of Rand Paul

A plurality (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters now has a favorable opinion of Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who gave the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address last week, including 22% with a Very Favorable opinion.  That’s up from 36% last month but comparable to his favorability rating last June when his name was in the news as a possible running mate for Mitt Romney. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% have an unfavorable opinion of Rubio, including 14% with a Very Unfavorable one. This is generally unchanged from previous surveys. Still, 27% do not know enough about Rubio to venture even a soft opinion of him. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Joining Scott Rasmussen this coming weekend on "What America Thinks" will be Senator Paul. “What America Thinks” airs on 61 stations. Find a station near you.

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

43% Support Hagel Confirmation, 37% Oppose

Support for Senator Charles “Chuck” Hagel, President Obama’s nominee to be secretary of Defense, is down slightly, although most voters still feel he is likely to be confirmed for the high-level Cabinet position.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 28% of Likely U.S. Voters now hold a favorable opinion of Hagel while 38% view him unfavorably. Still, 35% of voters don’t know enough about Hagel to venture any kind of opinion, and that’s unchanged from earlier this month.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

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

Only 11% Say Congress is Good Reflection of Americans’ Views

Despite a deeply held belief in Washington that Congress reflects the views of the people, most Americans don’t share that sentiment.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 11% of Adults believe Congress is a good reflection of the views of the American people. Seventy-four percent (74%) say Congress is not a good reflection of those views, while another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 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.

40% Think Major Energy Legislation Likely to Reduce Global Warming

Voters think it’s important for Congress to pass legislation to deal with global warming this year even though they think it's unlikely to significantly reduce the problem. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 61% of Likely Voters believe it’s at least somewhat important for Congress to pass major energy legislation aimed at reducing global warming this year, including 38% who say it’s Very Important. Thirty-seven percent (37%) don’t see such legislation as important, with 22% who say it’s Not At All Important. (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 February 4-5, 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.

21% Think President Should Have Sole Authority To Order Drone Killings

The Obama administration recently acknowledged its policy of using drones to kill U.S. citizens abroad who have terrorist ties, prompting outrage across the political spectrum.  Most voters don’t like the idea and some lawmakers have now proposed creation of a special court to review planned drone strikes by the president.

Just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the American government’s use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens in other countries who pose a terrorist threat.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% oppose government use of drones for this purpose. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

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

Only 36% Think President, Congress Should Stop March 1 Spending Cuts

President Obama and many members of Congress expected strong voter opposition to automatic and across-the-board government spending cuts scheduled for March, but it hasn’t materialized. Partly that’s because most voters recognize that they’re not really spending cuts anyway.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president and Congress should stop the automatic spending cuts from going into effect next month. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and say Congress and the president should not stop the automatic spending cuts.  Just as many (34%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Want Foreign Policy Focused on Protecting America First

A third of U.S. voters believe President Obama’s foreign policy tends to blame America first, while a slightly larger number thinks congressional Republicans instinctively send Americans first to resolve international conflicts. Voters overwhelmingly want a policy that protects the United States first.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president’s foreign policy is designed to protect America first. Thirty-one percent (31%) think his policy is to blame America first. Only eight percent (8%) believe he is willing to send Americans first.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 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.

Most Believe Political Leaders Put U.S. Troops At Risk Too Often

Americans continue to believe that our nation’s elected politicians favor a far more interventionist foreign policy than the public supports.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe our political leaders send U.S. soldiers into harm’s way too often. Just five percent (5%) think the policy makers don’t use the nation’s military might often enough. Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe the balance is about right. (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 January 31-February 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.

11% Say U.S. Should Be World’s Policeman

Very few voters think the United States should take on the responsibility of ensuring peace and democracy in the world, a view that has changed little over the years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% of voters think the United States should be the world’s policeman, virtually unchanged from findings in 2011 and 2009. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree, but 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 January 29-30, 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.