Democrat Stephanie Herseth holds a very narrow lead in her bid for a full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found Herseth leading challenger Larry Diedrich 50% to 47%.
Twenty-six percent (26%) of voters are expecting a repeat of Election 2000 this year--an election that is too close to call.
We have been flooded with e-mails asking (in varying tones of politeness) why our poll results seem different from those released by Time and Newsweek.
President Bush gained more than five percentage points over John Kerry during the past three weeks. About half the gains were made before the Republican National Convention and half during Convention week.
Democratic Senator Zell Miller gave a Keynote Address at the Republican National Convention that many reporters instantly branded as bad news for the Republican Party and George W. Bush. However, a Rasmussen Reports survey finds that voter perceptions of Miller are sharply divided along partisan lines.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of America's Likely Voters believe that, in political terms, George W. Bush is a conservative.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of Americans now believe that President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney will be re-elected this November. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 38% expect the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards to emerge victorious.
First Lady Laura Bush earned higher favorability ratings than any other speaker at the Republican National Convention. The President's wife is viewed favorably by 67% of American voters and unfavorably by just 20%.
As the Republican Convention is being held in New York, President Bush is viewed favorably by 54% of American voters and unfavorably by another 45%.
In Maryland, the latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows Senator Kerry with 54% of the vote and President Bush with 41%. Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry Maryland 57% to 40%.
In Michigan, the latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows Senator Kerry with 50% of the vote and President Bush with 45%. Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry Michigan by a 51% to 46% margin.
A month ago, Kerry was ahead by a similar 50% to 44% margin. Two months ago, Kerry had a two-point lead in Michigan, 46% to 44%. Three months ago, it was Kerry 47% Bush 41% in our Michigan poll.
In Texas, Bush now leads Massachusetts Senator John Kerry 57% to 38%. In our last survey, he was ahead 55% to 37%. Four years ago, Bush won his home state 59% to 38%.
In South Carolina, President Bush's lead is half what it was in our last survey. The latest Rasmussen Reports numbers show President Bush with 52% of the vote and Senator Kerry with 43%.
In Pennsylvania, Senator John Kerry leads President George Bush 49% to 45% in the latest Rasmussen Reports survey.
One the eve of the Republican National Convention, Massachusetts voters prefer their home state Senator over President Bush by a 58% to 36% margin.
Four years ago, without the home state advantage, Al Gore defeated Bush in Massachusetts 60% to 33%. Our last Bay State survey, released just prior to the Democratic National Convention, showed Kerry with a 60% to 31% lead.
New Jersey remains likely to cast its Electoral Votes for the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards this November. However, the Democrats' lead in the state is a bit smaller now than it was a month ago.
In New York, the latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows Senator Kerry with 56% of the vote and President Bush with 37%. Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry New York by a 25 point margin.
In our last Empire State survey, Kerry held a 58%-30% lead. The state remains safely in the Kerry column for our Electoral College projection.
In Alabama, the latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows President Bush leading by 11 percentage points over Senator Kerry.
On the eve of the Republican National Convention, Senator John Kerry's lead in California is half what is was a month ago.
The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of Maine voters finds Senator Kerry with 49% of the vote and President Bush with 44%. Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry Maine by that same margin, 49% to 44%.
