Politics

53% Favor Background Checks for Existing Gun Owners

Americans strongly believe that it was wrong for a suburban New York newspaper to publish the names and addresses of legitimate gun owners, but most also favor background checks for existing gun owners to determine whether they should keep their firearm.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of American Adults feel it was appropriate for the newspaper to publish the names and addresses of all residents in its area who have legal gun permits. Seventy-four percent (74%) think it was not appropriate for the newspaper to print that information. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 2013 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.

81% Think Congress Should Take Big Pay Cut Until Budget is Balanced

Voters overwhelmingly believe members of Congress should take a pay cut until the federal budget is balanced, and a plurality thinks the president should do the same. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of Likely U.S. Voters feel members of Congress should take a 25% pay cut until the federal budget is balanced. Only 12% disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 19-20, 2013 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.

41% Think U.S. President Most Powerful Person in the World, 44% Disagree

As President Obama formally begins his second term today, voters are almost evenly divided as to whether or not the president of the United States is the most powerful person in the world, but half think he has the right amount of power.

Twenty-one percent (21%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. president doesn’t have enough power, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. A slightly larger number (28%) think the president has too much power. A plurality (47%) rates his level of power as about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2013 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.

57% Think Enforcing Current Gun Laws More Important Than Creating New Laws

Most Americans feel it is more important for the government to enforce existing gun control laws than to create new ones. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 32% of American Adults believe creation of new gun control laws is more important. Fifty-seven percent (57%) think more emphasis should be put on stricter enforcement of existing gun control laws. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 2013 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.

65% See Gun Rights As Protection Against Tyranny

Two-out-of-three Americans recognize that their constitutional right to own a gun was intended to ensure their freedom.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults think the purpose of the Second Amendment is to make sure that people are able to protect themselves from tyranny. Only 17% disagree, while another 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 2013 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.

49% Think U.S. Should Withdraw Troops from Europe

As Congress and the president consider possible cuts in defense spending, half (49%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should withdraw its troops from Western Europe.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% disagree. One-in-five (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 2013 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.

58% Plan to Watch At Least Some of Obama Inauguration Live

Nearly six-out-of-10 voters plan to watch at least some of President Obama’s second inauguration live on Monday, but that’s a smaller crowd than planned to tune in four years ago.

The 58% of Likely U.S. Voters who plan to watch on Monday include 18% who intend to watch all of the inauguration, 14% who’ll watch most of it and 26% who’ll watch at least some. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% do not plan to watch any of the president’s second inauguration live. Just two percent (2%) haven’t made up their minds yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 15-16, 2013 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% Still Think Neither Party Represents the American People

Most voters think the Democratic Party has an agenda for the future, and the Republican Party does not. But the majority also still thinks neither party represents the American people.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Democratic Party has a plan for where it wants to take the nation. Just 28% disagree, and 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 2013 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.

40% Think U.S. Spends Too Much on National Security

With government spending cuts on the negotiating table, more voters than ever believe the United States spends too much on defense.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now think America spends too much on the military and national security. Twenty-two percent (22%) disagree and feel the country does not spend enough in this area. Thirty-two percent (32%) believe the amount spent on defense 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 January 13-14, 2013 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.

44% Favor Limits on Violent Movies and Video Games

As Americans continue to process last month’s school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, they are now evenly divided when asked if the United States needs to place limits on violent movies and video games.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 44% favor such limits, while 45% are opposed. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 10-11, 2013 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.

63% of GOP Voters Think Republicans in Congress Out of Touch

Most GOP voters continue to believe that congressional Republicans are out of touch with the party base, while Democrats are happier than ever with how their team is performing in Washington, DC.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 30% of Likely Republican Voters believe Republicans in Congress have done a good job representing their party’s values over the past several years. Sixty-three percent (63%) of GOP voters think congressional Republicans have lost touch with the party’s base throughout the nation. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 2013 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% Think It's Possible To Watch Mentally Ill Closer Without Violating Their Rights

Following last month's elementary school massacre, Americans strongly support more action to identify the mentally ill, and most think those individuals can be kept under stricter observation without their personal freedoms being violated. Americans are closely divided over whether families or medical professionals are most responsible for that observation.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 81% of American Adults think the United States needs to take more action to identify and treat mental health issues. Only 12% don’t think more action is necessary. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 10-11, 2013 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.

75% Don’t Know Much About Likely Treasury Secretary Jack Lew

Like many presidents embarking on a second term, President Obama is shuffling people in and out of his Cabinet, but most of these high-level decision makers continue to labor in varying degrees of anonymity.

Consider the president’s chief of staff, Jack Lew, now the president’s nominee to be the next secretary of Treasury. Right now, he’s viewed favorably by 10% of Likely U.S. Voters, and that includes only one percent (1%) with a Very Favorable opinion. Fourteen percent (14%) share an unfavorable view of Lew, with six percent (6%) Very Unfavorable. But 75% don’t know enough about him to voice any kind of opinion.

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Voters Still Think Economy Fairer to Lower Income Americans Than to Middle Class

The recent “fiscal cliff” deal raised taxes on wealthier Americans, but voter attitudes about the fairness of the U.S. economy have changed little.

44% Are Fiscally Conservative

As Congress and the president move past the ‘fiscal cliff’ deal and into the debate over raising the national debt ceiling, a plurality of voters says they are fiscally conservative, but nearly as many consider themselves moderate in this area.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely Voters say they are politically conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes and government spending. Forty percent (40%) describe themselves as fiscally moderate, while just 13% say they are fiscally liberal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 2013 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.

74% Think Americans Have Constitutional Right To Own A Gun

While most Americans are clear they want tougher rules for gun ownership, they also feel as strongly as ever that the average citizen has a constitutional right to own a gun. Only a plurality, however, feels that laws governing gun ownership should be a federal responsibility.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults continue to believe the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of an average citizen to own a gun. Only 17% disagree, while nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 6-7, 2013 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.

47% For, 38% Against Hagel Nomination When Told He Has Called for Defense Cuts

Most voters are aware that President Obama has nominated former Senator Charles “Chuck” Hagel to be secretary of defense, but a sizable number know little or nothing about him. A plurality would like their senators to vote for Hagel’s confirmation, with opinions both for and against his confirmation even higher when voters are told Hagel has called for reducing the military’s budget.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters recognize that Obama has nominated Hagel to replace retiring Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Seven percent (7%) think Hagel has been nominated to be secretary of State, and two percent (2%) say Hagel is the nominee for secretary of Commerce. Thirty-three percent (33%) are not sure what position he’s been nominated for. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 2013 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.

Americans Strongly Support Tougher Requirements for Gun Owners

Americans nationwide show overwhelming support for requiring strict background checks, waiting periods and safety courses for those wishing to obtain a gun.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 86% of American Adults believe a strict background check should be required for anyone looking to buy a gun. Ten percent (10%) don’t favor this requirement. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Currently, an FBI background check is only required for those seeking to buy a gun from a commercial gun dealer who has a federal license.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 6-7, 2013 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 Government Did Good Job Responding to Hurricane Sandy

Voters are much more critical now of the federal government’s response to the East Coast’s Hurricane Sandy but are generally satisfied with the amount of federal money going to the victims of the storm. Now, though, a plurality thinks state governments should bear most of the cleanup costs from a bad weather event.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the way the federal government has responded to the areas affected by Sandy as good or excellent. That’s down 19 points from 55% in mid-November just after the storm.

Twenty-three percent (23%) now consider the government’s response to Sandy as poor, up from 15% two months ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 2013 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 8% Now Say They Are Tea Party Members

Views of the Tea Party movement are at their lowest point ever, with voters for the first time evenly divided when asked to match the views of the average Tea Party member against those of the average member of Congress.  Only eight percent (8%) now say they are members of the Tea Party, down from a high of 24% in April 2010 just after passage of the national health care law. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 30% of Likely U.S. Voters now have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party. Half (49%) of voters have an unfavorable view of the movement. Twenty-one percent (21%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 2013 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.