General Politics

Just 37% Now Call Themselves Fiscal Conservatives

Voters appear to be showing a slight ideological shift as fewer now consider themselves fiscal conservatives and more say they are both fiscal and social liberals.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 37% of Likely U.S. Voters now say they are conservative when it comes to fiscal issues such as taxes and government spending. That’s the first time that number has dipped below 40% in surveys dating back to November 2007. Thirty-nine percent (39%) consider themselves fiscally moderate. One-in-five (20%) now say they are fiscally liberal. That's up from 11% in January and the highest finding to date. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 2012 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% See Federal Gov't As Threat to Rights, 45% As Protector

Voters take their constitutional rights very seriously and are evenly divided over whether the federal government protects or threatens those liberties.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now regard the federal government today as a protector of individual rights. But 46% consider the government a threat to those rights. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 2012 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% Say American Society is Generally Fair and Decent

Most voters continue to feel America is a fair and decent country and that those who move here need to adopt the prevailing culture. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think American society is generally fair and decent. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and view it as unfair and discriminatory. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 2012 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.

Freedoms of Speech, Religion Top Freedoms of Press, Right to Bear Arms

Ask voters about some of their basic freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, and they rate freedom of speech as most important and the right to bear arms as the least. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of Likely U.S. Voters consider freedom of speech Very Important. Another 14% consider it somewhat important while just one percent (1%) think it’s not very important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 2012 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% Thinks U.S. Spends Too Much on Defense

With cuts in defense spending on the "fiscal cliff" negotiating table, 37% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States spends too much on the military and national security. That's up from 29% in early November, and the highest negative assessment of defense spending in over a year of regular tracking. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 23% of likely voters believe the country doesn't spend enough on the military and national security, while 33% feel the level of spending is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 2012 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% Think U.S. Should Help Rebels if Syrian Government Resorts to Chemical Weapons

Voters now think Syria is slightly more likely to use chemical weapons against anti-government rebels, and a plurality continues to believe the United States should help the rebels if those weapons are used. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Syrian government is likely to use chemical weapons against its opponents, with 18% who say it’s Very Likely. Just 23% think the government is unlikely to resort to these weapons to put down the growing protests, but that includes only five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 2012 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.

54% Put Economic Growth Ahead of Economic Fairness

Most voters still put growing the economy ahead of a level economic playing field, despite increasing calls for higher taxes on the wealthy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters think economic growth is more important than economic fairness. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and put economic fairness first. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 2012 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.

19% Favor New Government Spending to Stimulate Economy

President Obama is calling for $200 billion in economic stimulus spending in his proposal to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” but few voters believe increased government spending will stimulate the economy. Most think tax cuts are the better way to go.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the government should increase federal spending to help stimulate the economy. Sixty-two percent (62%) oppose new spending as an economic stimulus. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 2012 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 Think Obama More Willing to Deal on ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Than GOP

As the “fiscal cliff’ draws nearer, voters are more confident that President Obama is willing to agree to a deal with both spending cuts and tax increases than Republicans in Congress are.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president is willing to accept a deal that includes both his tax increases and significant cuts in government spending. Nearly as many (40%) think Obama will insist on tax increases only.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 30-December 1, 2012 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.

No Change: 51% See Deal to Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’ As Likely

Most voters continue to feel President Obama and Congress should prevent the pending “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and deep spending cuts from being reached, but they remain only cautiously confident that a deal is possible.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Congress and the president should stop the tax increases and spending cuts totaling more than $500 billion that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1. Only 20% disagree, while 19% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 28-29, 2012 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.

Favorables: Socialism 24% Capitalism 68%

Most Americans continue to have favorable opinions of capitalism and the free enterprise system.

However, just 24% have a favorable opinion of socialism. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% have an unfavorable view of that economic system. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

34% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government

A huge and fundamental perception gap about the federal government has opened along party lines.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Republicans offer an unfavorable assessment of the feds.

As for those not affiliated with either major party, the numbers are 28% favorable and 73% unfavorable. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

65% Favor Across-the-Board Spending Cuts

Voters continue to like the idea of across-the-board cuts in federal government spending and are notably less enthusiastic if the defense budget is exempted.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government as the nation searches for solutions to the budget crisis. Just 20% disagree, although another 15% are undecided. (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 November 25, 2012 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.

48% Think New Tax Money Will Go to New Programs, Not Deficit Reduction

Voters are a little less suspicious of how new tax revenues may be used. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters continues to believe that if Congress and the president raise taxes to reduce the federal deficit, they are likely to use the money for new government programs instead. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and believe new tax money raised to reduce the deficit will be used for that purpose. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

66% Want Both Tax Hikes and Spending Cuts in Budget Deal

Voters are looking for a deal to reduce the budget deficit that will include more spending cuts than tax hikes. They expect a deal that will offer the reverse. And, voters are confident that the tax hikes will be real but aren’t so sure about the spending cuts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 66% of voters nationwide favor a mix of tax hikes and spending cuts to help reduce the federal budget deficit.  Twenty-four percent (24%) want spending cuts only and 4% would prefer only tax hikes. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 20, 2012 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.

33% Say U.S. Legal System Puts National Security Ahead of Individual Rights

One third (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the legal system in this country worries more about protecting national security rather than about individual rights. Twenty-five percent (25%) think the U.S. legal system worries too much about protecting individual rights instead, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down five points from last month but generally in line with findings prior to that. Thirty percent (30%) think the balance is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 2012 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% See Congressional Democrats’ Agenda As Mainstream, 37% Say Same of GOP’s

As Congress enters a lame duck session, voters view the Democratic agenda as more mainstream than the Republican one.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely Voters believe it is more accurate to describe the agenda of Democrats in Congress as mainstream, while 41% see it as extreme. Another 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 16-17, 2012 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% Rate Government Response to Hurricane Sandy Positively

Most voters give positive marks to the governmental response to Hurricane Sandy on the Atlantic Coast. But they’re almost evenly divided when asked whether states or the federal government should be responsible for most post-storm cleanup costs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way government agencies responded to the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy as good or excellent. Only 15% view that response as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 16-17, 2012 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% Have Favorable Opinion of Hillary Clinton

Two of the most influential members of President Obama's Cabinet, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, will reportedly be leaving their posts soon. Clinton continues to be the most popular Cabinet member, while Geithner remains one of the least-liked.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that Clinton is viewed favorably by 56% of Likely U.S. Voters and unfavorably by 40%. This includes 33% with a Very Favorable opinion of her and 22% with a Very Unfavorable one. Only four percent (4%) have no opinion of the former first lady and U.S. senator from New York. (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 November 14, 2012 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.

52% View Petraeus Resignation As Appropriate

Most voters agree CIA Director David Petraeus should have resigned after it was discovered he was having an extramarital affair, but they also feel there’s little likelihood the affair exposed any of the nation’s top secrets.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is appropriate for Petraeus, to have resigned. Just 29% disagree, while another 19% 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 November 14, 2012 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.