Politics

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                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/europe/january_2015/americans_think_charlie_like_attack_likely_here/1085705-1-eng-US/americans_think_charlie_like_attack_likely_here.jpg" />
                
            
                            January 11, 2015Americans Think Charlie-like Attack Likely Here
Americans are hesitant to link the terrorist massacre in Paris this past week to the true beliefs of Islam, but many worry a similar attack on those critical of the religion in the United States could happen in the near future.
Sixty-five percent (65%) of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat likely an attack on those critical of Islam will happen in this country in the next year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% think an attack similar to the one against the satirical Parisian publication Charlie Hebdo which mocked radical Islamicists is unlikely to happen here. This includes 29% who say such an attack is Very Likely and just five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (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 national survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2015/voters_want_congress_to_tackle_taxes_spending_first/1085376-1-eng-US/voters_want_congress_to_tackle_taxes_spending_first.jpg" />
                
            
                            January 9, 2015Voters Want Congress To Tackle Taxes, Spending First
Taxes, spending, Obamacare and immigration top Congress’ to-do list as far as voters are concerned, but they also fully expect partisan politics to get in the way.
President Obama and Republicans in Congress oppose each other on most major issues facing the nation, and the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 14% of Likely U.S. Voters think this opposition is due mostly to honest differences of opinion. Seventy-seven percent (77%) believe instead that the opposition is mostly due to partisan politics, up from 69% last July when we first asked this question. (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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
January 8, 2015Support For Women in Combat Reaches New High
More voters than ever think women are good for the U.S. military and believe even more strongly that they should be allowed to fight on the front lines.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the growing role of women in the services is good for the military, up from 49% in October and the first time support has risen above 50% in regular tracking since December 2013. Just 12% now think women’s growing role is bad for the military, down from 15%. One-in-three (30%) say it has no impact. (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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 2015 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.
January 7, 2015Voters to Mexico: Stop Illegal Immigrants or Lose U.S. Aid
Most U.S. voters think the Mexican government doesn’t do enough to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking and favor stopping foreign aid to our southern neighbor until it does more to prevent illegal border crossings.
Just 14% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Mexican government wants to stop its citizens from illegally entering the United States, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-five percent (55%) say Mexico is not interested in stopping illegal immigration. But 31% 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 national survey of 800 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 2015 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2015/most_still_expect_government_to_spend_more_under_obama/1084805-1-eng-US/most_still_expect_government_to_spend_more_under_obama.jpg" />
                
            
                            January 7, 2015Most Still Expect Government to Spend More Under Obama
Voters still expect government spending to go up during President Obama's last two years in office but think taxes are likely to remain about the same.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think government spending will rise under the Obama administration, consistent with surveys throughout the Obama years. Just 12% expect spending cuts. One-in-four (25%) think the level of government spending will stay about the same. (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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            January 6, 2015Obama or Congress: Who Should Be in Charge?
Bottleneck ahead? Voters are evenly divided when asked whether President Obama or the new Republican-led Congress should take the lead on issues important to the nation.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think it would be better for the country if the president does more of what Congress wants. Just as many (43%) say it would be better if Congress does more of what the president wants. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 national survey of 800 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 2, 2015 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/abortion/support_fades_for_abortion_waiting_period/1084353-1-eng-US/support_fades_for_abortion_waiting_period.jpg" />
                
            
                            January 5, 2015Support Fades for Abortion Waiting Period
Most voters remain pro-choice when it comes to abortion, and fewer now think there should be a waiting period before allowing the procedure. But voters also don't attach as much importance to the abortion issue when they go to the polls.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice, while 36% say they are pro-life. (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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
January 5, 2015Voters Still Want Death Penalty for Boston Marathon Bomber
Jury selection begins today for the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev nearly two years after his arrest for the bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013, and most voters agree that trials shouldn’t take place this long after a crime is committed. Despite the time lag, voters are still looking for the same outcome if the surviving suspect in the bombings is found guilty.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% think, generally speaking, trials should be held closer to the time the alleged crime took place. Just nine percent (9%) disagree, but 16% 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 national survey of 800 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 2015 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/december_2014/gay_marriage_s_still_a_close_call/1084084-2-eng-US/gay_marriage_s_still_a_close_call.jpg" />
                
            
                            January 4, 2015Gay Marriage's Still A Close Call
Voters remain closely divided on the issue of gay marriage and continue to view marriage laws more as a state issue than a federal one.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters favor gay marriage, consistent with surveying since July but up from a low of 42% a year ago. Forty-one percent (41%) remain opposed to gay marriage, also showing little change. Twelve percent (12%) are still 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 December 29-30, 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.
January 2, 2015Voters Say Mission Not Accomplished in Afghanistan
President George W. Bush launched the war in Afghanistan to end that country’s harboring of al Qaeda terrorists training against the United States, but over 13 years later as the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan comes to a close, few Americans believe that goal has been reached.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. mission to end Afghanistan’s harboring of al Qaeda terrorists has been accomplished. Sixty-four percent (64%) believe America’s longest running war has not accomplished what was originally intended. Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 December 29-30, 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.
December 31, 2014Most Voters Now Favor Leaving Troops Behind in Afghanistan
President Obama officially ended the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan on Sunday, but most voters support his decision to keep several thousand troops there until 2016 for training and counterterrorism purposes. Still, voters tend to think history will not be kind to America’s decision to invade Afghanistan in 2001.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan in a limited non-combat role though 2016. That’s up from 48% who supported the president’s decision to keep some troops there after he announced it in late May. (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 December 29-30, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            December 30, 2014Voters Think GOP Needs A Fresh Face in 2016
Most voters – including Republicans – think the GOP should start fresh during the next presidential election. But a sizable number of voters also express concern about families from both sides of the political aisle holding too much influence.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Republicans should look for a fresh face to run for president in 2016. Just 10% think the GOP should promote a candidate who has run in the past. Twenty-five percent (25%) 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 December 28, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            December 29, 2014Republicans Aren't Thrilled by Another Bush Candidacy
GOP voters aren’t enthused about Jeb Bush running for president in 2016 and feel even more strongly that his family’s history in the White House makes him a less attractive candidate to vote for.
Just 33% of Likely Republican Voters nationwide believe Bush should run for president in 2016, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Just as many (34%) disagree, while another 33% 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 December 28, 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.
December 26, 2014Nearly Half Want Their State to Legalize Recreational Pot
More voters now support legalizing recreational marijuana use in their state, even as Nebraska and Oklahoma plan to sue Colorado over its marijuana laws.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters now favor the legalization of recreational marijuana use in their state, while 43% are opposed. Support for legalization is up from 43% among all Americans in August and 41% of voters in January. (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 Adults was conducted on December 23, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            December 24, 201449% Think U.S. Should Lift Cuba Embargo
Following President Obama's announcement last week of a plan to “normalize” relations with Cuba, voters more than ever think the United States should lift the economic embargo it imposed on the Communist country 54 years ago.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should lift the embargo that was put in place during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, but 23% are not sure. In the past, voters were much more divided over lifting the embargo.  (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 December 19-20, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/north_korea/americans_favor_u_s_involvement_if_north_korea_was_behind_sony_attacks/1082183-1-eng-US/americans_favor_u_s_involvement_if_north_korea_was_behind_sony_attacks.jpg" />
                
            
                            December 23, 2014Americans Favor U.S. Involvement If North Korea Was Behind Sony Attacks
Most adults believe the United States should get involved if it is proven that the North Koreans were behind the computer attacks and threats against Sony Pictures, but are more hesitant in calling such a cyberattack an act of war.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults believe the United States should get more involved if it is proven that the North Korean government was behind the computer attacks and threats against a U.S.-based company. Twenty-five percent (25%) believe this issue is strictly between Sony and North Korea. Eighteen percent (18%) 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 American Adults was conducted on December 18-19, 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.
December 23, 2014One-In-Four Voters Think North Korea Wants War
U.S. Voters now view North Korea as being as big a threat as China and Iran, but most don’t think it is seeking war with the United States.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters regard North Korea as an enemy of the United States. That’s down from 81% at the beginning of the year and 82% in 2012. Just two percent (2%) regard North Korea as an ally of the United States, while 19% think it is somewhere in between the two. (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 December 21-22, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            December 21, 2014Voters Say Taliban Not True to Islam
Americans strongly believe the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group in Afghanistan who last week took credit for the murder of 130 school children, does not truly represent its faith.
Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Taliban represents true Islamic beliefs, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-nine percent (69%) say the group which ruled its country for six years as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not represent the true beliefs of Islam. Another 16% 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 17-18, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            December 19, 2014Voters Sour on Taliban But Reluctant to Chase Pakistan School Killers
Voters are hesitant to join in the search for the Taliban killers who massacred 145 people, most of them children, in a school in Pakistan, but the incident has dramatically reduced support for U.S. negotiations with the radical Islamic group to end the war in Afghanistan.
Just 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should help Pakistan find the perpetrators of the school massacre and bring them to justice. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% are opposed to U.S. involvement in the matter, while another 27% 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 17-18, 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.
December 18, 2014Which Party Do Voters Trust More? Depends on the Issue
Voters continue to see Republicans as the party to trust when it comes to economic growth, fiscal restraint and national security. Democrats remain their first choice, however, on issues like health care, education and the environment. 
New national telephone surveying finds that Likely U.S. Voters trust the GOP more on eight of 15 major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports - the economy, national security, Afghanistan, taxes, job creation, government spending, small business and gun control. Democrats hold the trust advantage on seven issues - energy, immigration, government ethics and corruption, health care, Social Security, education and the environment. (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  
Three national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on December 7-8, 11-12 & 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.