Politics

Voters Still Say No to D.C. Statehood

Most voters still don’t think Washington, D.C. should be a state, and they remain closely divided over whether Congress should give up its long-standing veto power over the city’s laws and budget.

The U.S. Constitution designates the nation’s capital as a federal district, not a state, and only 24% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that should be changed. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% oppose statehood for Washington, D.C. 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 September 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.

Most Voters Still Want Government to Cut Spending to Boost Economy

In reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, more voters worry the government won’t do enough than that it will do too much. However, they hope the government’s response is to cut spending, not increase it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters are more concerned that the government won't dip enough in responding to the bad economy. Just 38% are more worried that the government will do too much. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 11-12, 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.

Hawaii Senate: Schatz (D) 60%, Cavasso (R) 28%

Appointed Democratic Senator Brian Schatz holds a two-to-one lead over his Republican challenger Campbell Cavasso in the bid to keep his seat in Hawaii.

Hawaii is rated Safe Democrat in the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Senate Balance of Power rankings. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Hawaii was conducted on September 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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 Agree with Obama’s Plans to Fight ISIS

President Obama in a nationally televised speech last week outlined his plans for fighting the radical group that calls itself the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS, also known as ISIL), and voters are mostly supportive of those plans. Just over half also agree with the president that despite its name, the extremist group does not represent the true beliefs of Islam.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the president's plan for expanding U.S. airstrikes beyond Iraq to Syria to help defeat ISIS. Sixteen percent (16%) oppose this plan, while 18% 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 September 11-12, 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.

Delaware Senate: Coons (D) 49%, Wade (R) 34%

Democratic Senator Chris Coons looks comfortably on his way to reelection in Delaware.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Delaware Voters finds Coons leading Republican challenger Kevin Wade by 15 points - 49% to 34%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Delaware was conducted on September 10-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Hawaii Governor: Ige (D) 40%, Aiona (R) 39%, Hannemann (I) 14%

The race to be the next governor of the Aloha State is nearly dead even.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Hawaii Voters finds Democrat David Ige with 40% support to Republican Duke Aiona’s 39%. Independent candidate Mufi Hannemann is a distant third with 14% of the vote. Two percent (2%) like some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Hawaii was conducted on September 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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 Oppose Tax, Spending Hikes But Think Obama Disagrees

Voters continue to believe cutting taxes and government spending will help the economy, but many still expect the Obama administration to do just the opposite.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters believe taxes will go up under the Obama administration. This is up four points from 37% in June which was the lowest level measured in nearly two years. Just nine percent (9%) think taxes will go down, while 38% say they will stay about the same. Twelve percent (12%) 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 September 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.

Just 63% Know Which Parties Control the House and Senate

Over one-third of Likely U.S. Voters remain unaware which political party controls the House of Representatives and which has a majority in the Senate - less than two months before an election that may put one party in charge of both.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 63% are aware that Republicans have majority control of the House. An identical number (63%) know that Democrats run the Senate.

Twenty percent (20%) mistakenly believe Democrats control the House, while 17% are not sure. Similarly, 18% think the GOP is in charge in the Senate, but 19% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Do Americans Remember 9/11?

On the 13th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, most Americans continue to believe the country has changed for the worse and are evenly divided as to whether Americans have forgotten the impact of that horrific day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% of U.S. Adults believe the United States has changed for the better since 9/11. Sixty-one percent (61%) believe America has changed for the worse, though that’s down from 67% a year ago. Eleven percent (11%) say the country hasn’t changed, but 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

Ohio Governor: Kasich (R) 50%, FitzGerald (D) 30%

Troubled Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald has now fallen 20 points behind incumbent Republican John Kasich in Ohio’s gubernatorial contest.

Ohio is rated Safe Republican on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard. Kasich was first elected governor in 2010 by a narrow 49% to 47% margin. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 780 Likely Voters in Ohio was conducted on September 8-9, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Feel More Certain Another 9/11 is Looming

The number of Americans who consider another attack on the scale of September 11, 2001 Very Likely is at its highest level since before the killing of Osama bin Laden. But even though the radical Islamic group ISIS continues to make big threats against the United States from the Middle East, Americans still fear an attack from within more than one from outside.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-out-of-three American Adults (67%) think it is at least somewhat likely that another 9/11 will take place in the next 10 years, including 34% who consider it Very Likely. The latter figure is up from 30% a year ago and the highest finding since 2010 when 39% felt another major attack was Very Likely. Bin Laden was killed the following May, and concern dropped somewhat. But only 20% of Americans think a similar attack is unlikely in the next decade, with just three percent (3%) who consider it Not At All Likely. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

Democrats Are More Likely to Vote Early

Just over half of Americans think they’ll wait to Election Day to cast their ballots even if their state offers early voting.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely Voters in states that allow early voting say they are likely to take advantage of that opportunity. But 52% say they are more likely to wait until Election Day. Seven percent (7%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 7-8, 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.

Voters Say More Sanctions Yes, Military Aid No in Ukraine

Voters say sanctions against Russia haven’t done much to ease tensions in Ukraine, but they favor stepping up that pressure if fighting in Ukraine resumes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters now view Ukraine as a vital national security interest for the United States these days. That’s up from 26% in mid-April. Nearly as many (37%), however, still believe Ukraine is not critical to U.S. national security. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Oregon Governor: Kitzhaber (D) 48%, Richardson (R) 38%

Democrat John Kitzhaber has a 10-point lead over Republican challenger Dennis Richardson in his bid for a fourth term as governor of Oregon.(To see survey question wording, click here.)

Maine Senate: Collins (R) 59%, Bellows (D) 31%

Republican Susan Collins holds a near two-to-one lead in her bid for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate.

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Maine was conducted on September 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Oregon Senate: Merkley (D) 48%, Wehby (R) 35%

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley has pulled further ahead of Republican challenger Monica Wehby in his reelection bid in Oregon.

Oregon is rated Safe Democrat in the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Senate Balance of Power rankings. 

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Oregon was conducted on September 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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 Don’t Want U.S. Troops Fighting ISIS Without International Help

Voters show even more support for continued airstrikes in Iraq against the radical Islamic group ISIS despite a second public beheading of a U.S. journalist in retaliation for those strikes. Nearly half now support sending U.S. combat troops to fight ISIS as part of an international coalition but are less enthused about U.S. troops fighting alone.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of Likely Voters believe the United States should continue its airstrikes against the radical Islamic group ISIS. Just 13% think the United States should discontinue the airstrikes to protect other Americans in the region. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 3-4, 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.

How Important Is It on Election Day if A Congressman Voted for Obamacare?

Voters are more skeptical than ever that Obamacare can be fixed any time soon but remain almost evenly divided on the impact the health care law will have on their voting decisions this November.

Thirty-five percent (35%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they are more likely to vote for a member of Congress who supports the law, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Slightly more (38%) say they are less likely to vote for an Obamacare supporter. Nineteen percent (19%) say a Congress member’s position on the law will have no impact on their voting decision.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

73% Worry About Obama’s Lack of Strategy for ISIS

Voters regard the radical Islamic terrorist group ISIS as a major threat to the United States and are very worried that President Obama doesn’t have a strategy for dealing with the problem. They remain reluctant to send U.S. troops back to Iraq to take on ISIS, but support is growing.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) a serious threat to this country. Just 13% disagree, while another 20% are not sure. (To see survey questions wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 30-31, 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.

Oklahoma Special Senate: Lankford (R) 58%, Johnson (D) 29%

Republican Congressman James Lankford has a two-to-one lead over Democratic State Senator Connie Johnson in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at Oklahoma’s special election for U.S. Senate.

The special election will determine who will take over the seat held by Republican Tom Coburn, who is resigning in early 2015 with two years left in his term. This race is rated Safe Republican in the Rasmussen Reports’ 2014 Senate Balance of Power rankings. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Oklahoma was conducted on August 27-28, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.