General Politics

39% Think Most Muslims See U.S. As An Enemy, 35% Disagree

While Americans are growing more optimistic about the war on terror against radical Islamists, voters are evenly divided as to whether or not most Muslims around the globe view our nation as an enemy.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that most Muslims view the United States as an enemy. Nearly as many (35%) disagree, but 27% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

69% Favor Use of Military Overseas Only When U.S. National Security is Threatened

With pressure growing for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, America’s longest-running war, voters continue to believe strongly in more limited use of the U.S. military overseas.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should not commit forces overseas unless it is vital to U.S. national security. Sixteen percent (16%) disagree with the more restrained use of U.S. military force. 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 April 30-May 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.

56% of Women See Presidential Candidates’ Wives As Important to Their Vote

Voters are narrowly divided over how important a presidential candidate’s wife is when it comes to how they will vote this November . However, women voters think it's more important than men. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters say their perception of the candidate’s wife is at least somewhat important in terms of how they will vote for president this year. Fifty percent (50%) regard their view of the candidate’s wife as unimportant. These findings includes 17% who think it’s Very Important and another 17% who rate it Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

68% Say Obama’s Liberal, 60% View Romney as Conservative

Voters see the 2012 presidential candidates as offering a choice between the political left and right.  But they view President Obama as more committed to the political left than Mitt Romney is to the right.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the president is a least somewhat liberal, while 60% view the likely Republican nominee as at least somewhat conservative, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes 43% who say Obama is Very Liberal, compared to just 18% who regard Romney as Very Conservative. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on April 26-27, 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.

43% Are Conservative on Money Issues, 13% Liberal

Voters continue to maintain more conservative views when it comes to money issues, but they are as divided as ever on social views.

Forty-three percent (43%) of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves conservative when it comes to issues such as taxes, government spending and business regulation, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Nearly as many (40%) say they are fiscal moderates, but just 13% call themselves fiscally liberal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 22-23, 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.

77% Say Most Politicians Don’t Keep Campaign Promises

The bad news is that voters still overwhelmingly don’t trust what most politicians say. The good news is that they’re a bit more convinced that it’s not the politicians’ fault.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters think most politicians keep their campaign promises. Seventy-seven percent (77%) say most don’t keep the promises they make on the campaign trail. 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 April 22-23, 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.

87% Think Media More Interested in Candidate Controversy Than in the Issues

Most recently, it’s been anti-Obama comments by aging rock star Ted Nugent and anti-Romney remarks by an Obama political adviser on women’s issues, but candidates are routinely bombarded with media questions when someone who supports them steps out of line. However, voters overwhelmingly see those stories as media hype and believe it’s the candidate that really counts.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Likely U.S. Voters think in terms of how they will vote that what a candidate says is more important than what their supporters say. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% put more emphasis on what a candidate’s supporters say. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 22-23, 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.

50% Think More Government Regulation Means Less Fairness

For some, government is the answer to economic inequality in this country, but for most, it’s not.

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think society would become less fair if the government got more involved in regulating the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 22% believe society would become more fair if there was greater government regulation. Twenty-one percent (21%) feel things would remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 20-21, 2012 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.

66% Think Most Government Contracts Go To Those With Political Connections

Most voters see crony capitalism at work in the awarding of government contracts.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe most government contracts are given to the company with the most political connections rather than the one that can provide the best service for the best price. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% disagree and think most government contracts go instead to the company offering the best service for the best price. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 20-21, 2012 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.

Voters See Free Market, Not Government, As What Made America Great

President Obama recently has suggested that government investment is what has made America great, but voters express a lot more confidence in the free enterprise system.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters agree that government investments made America great. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree, but a sizable 32% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 20-21, 2012 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.

60% Rate U.S. Society as Fair and Decent

Most voters continue to believe in the goodness of America.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters agree that American society is generally fair and decent. One-in-four voters (26%) disagrees and says society in this country is unfair and discriminatory. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 12-13, 2012 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.

81% Are Still Confident in Secret Service’s Protection of the First Family

Voters remain confident in the Secret Service’s protection of President Obama and his family despite the recent scandal involving several agents and prostitutes they hired while on duty in Colombia. They have mixed feelings at this point whether the agents involved in the incident should be criminally prosecuted.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Secret Service agents involved in the prostitute incident should face criminal charges, but slightly more (38%) disagree. A sizable number (30%) aren’t sure at this point. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on April 18-19, 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.

92% Favor Strict Limits on Government To Protect the Individual

Voters believe too much government power is a dangerous thing and put a very high value on protecting the rights of the individual.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the statement that a government powerful enough to do everything you want is also powerful enough to take away everything you have. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 23% disagree with that statement. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure about it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on April 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. 

73% Think Photo ID Requirement Before Voting Does Not Discriminate

Despite his insistence that voter fraud is not a serious problem, Attorney General Eric Holder was embarrassed last week when a video surfaced of someone illegally obtaining a ballot to vote under Holder’s name in his home precinct in Washington, D.C. Most voters consider voter fraud a problem in America today and continue to overwhelmingly support laws requiring people to show photo identification before being allowed to vote.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters rate voter fraud at least a somewhat serious problem in the United States today, and just 24% disagree. This includes 35% who consider it a Very Serious problem and seven percent (7%) who view it as Not At All Serious. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

36% Say U.S. Spends Too Much on Military and National Security

As budget battles continue in Washington, D.C., voters increasingly think the United States is putting too much money into defense.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now feel the country spends too much on the military and national security. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say the country doesn’t spend enough in this area, and another 27% say the amount spent is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Only 15% Think Supreme Court Limits Government Too Much

While President Obama cautioned the U.S. Supreme Court this past week about overturning his national health care law, just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think the high court puts too many limitations on what the federal government can do.

In fact, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that twice as many--30%-- believe the Supreme Court does not limit the government enough. Forty percent (40%) say the balance is about right, while 15% more are undecided. (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.

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

53% of Republicans See Tea Party As Political Plus; 32% of Democrats Say Same of Occupy

Voters continue to have a slightly more favorable opinion of the Tea Party compared to the Occupy Wall Street protesters. But Republicans are the only ones who see either of the groups as much of a political benefit in the upcoming elections.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters hold at least a somewhat favorable view of Tea Party activists, while 49% share an unfavorable opinion of them. This includes 23% with a Very Favorable view and 29% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 2-3, 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% Favor Creation of U.S. Anti-Missile System

President Obama drew fire from his political opponents last week after he was overheard confiding to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that U.S.-Russian missile defense negotiations would have to wait until after November’s elections, a time when the president should have more “flexibility”.  Most voters nationwide currently favor a U.S. anti-missile defense system, and a majority believes a missile attack on the U.S. is likely to occur in the near future.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 55% favor the creation of a U.S. anti-missile defense system, while just 16% are opposed. Another 29% are undecided. (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 March 29-30, 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 See Romney As Leader of GOP, Boehner Second

Mitt Romney is now seen as the leader of the Republican Party, and no one else is even close.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey gave Likely U.S. Voters the names of eight well-known Republicans, including the four finalists for the party’s presidential nomination, and asked which was the leader of the GOP. Twenty-six percent (26%) said Romney, with House Speaker John Boehner second at 13%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on March 31-April 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.

58% Oppose Reducing Size of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal

With questions swirling about President Obama’s plans for the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal, Americans still believe overwhelmingly that those weapons are critical to the nation’s security. Most continue to oppose reducing the size of that arsenal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults rate America’s nuclear weapons arsenal as at least somewhat important to U.S. national security. That includes 57% who think it’s Very Important, up six points from 51% when the question was first asked in August 2010. Only 14% feel the nuclear arsenal is not very or Not At All Important to this nation’s security. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 26-27, 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.