Politics

44% Give Obama Positive Marks on Health Care, 42% Poor

As President Obama’s national health care law enters the major implementation stage, voters are closely divided on the president’s handling of health care issues. They also give him mixed marks on the way he’s dealing with Social Security.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the president’s handling of issues related to health care as good or excellent. Nearly as many (42%) consider his performance in this area to be poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 14-15, 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.

43% Support Hagel Confirmation, 37% Oppose

Support for Senator Charles “Chuck” Hagel, President Obama’s nominee to be secretary of Defense, is down slightly, although most voters still feel he is likely to be confirmed for the high-level Cabinet position.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 28% of Likely U.S. Voters now hold a favorable opinion of Hagel while 38% view him unfavorably. Still, 35% of voters don’t know enough about Hagel to venture any kind of opinion, and that’s unchanged from earlier this month.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Only 11% Say Congress is Good Reflection of Americans’ Views

Despite a deeply held belief in Washington that Congress reflects the views of the people, most Americans don’t share that sentiment.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 11% of Adults believe Congress is a good reflection of the views of the American people. Seventy-four percent (74%) say Congress is not a good reflection of those views, while another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

22% See More Gun Control As Best Curb to Mass Murders

Support for banning semi-automatic and assault-type weapons has changed little, but Americans feel more strongly than ever that treating mental illness will do more than stricter gun control laws to help prevent incidents like the Connecticut school shooting. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 55% think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons, showing no change from late December. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 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.

40% Think Major Energy Legislation Likely to Reduce Global Warming

Voters think it’s important for Congress to pass legislation to deal with global warming this year even though they think it's unlikely to significantly reduce the problem. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 61% of Likely Voters believe it’s at least somewhat important for Congress to pass major energy legislation aimed at reducing global warming this year, including 38% who say it’s Very Important. Thirty-seven percent (37%) don’t see such legislation as important, with 22% who say it’s Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 4-5, 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.

Voters Think Obama Should Emphasize Economy in State of the Union Speech

Most voters plan to follow news about President Obama’s State of the Union speech even though they don’t expect it to lead to much. Voters hope the president in his speech emphasizes the economy, job creation and government spending over other issues.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of Likely U.S. Voters say they are at least somewhat likely to watch or follow news reports about the president’s State of the Union address. This includes 46% who are Very Likely to do so. Just 24% say they are not very or Not At All Likely to watch or follow news reports about the speech. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

59% Still Think Tougher Gun Control Laws Likely

Most Americans continue to believe that Congress and the president are likely to pass tougher gun control laws, and nearly half think the Obama administration has done a good job responding to the December elementary school shooting in Connecticut.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Americans still feel the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Forty-five percent (45%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

21% Think President Should Have Sole Authority To Order Drone Killings

The Obama administration recently acknowledged its policy of using drones to kill U.S. citizens abroad who have terrorist ties, prompting outrage across the political spectrum.  Most voters don’t like the idea and some lawmakers have now proposed creation of a special court to review planned drone strikes by the president.

Just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the American government’s use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens in other countries who pose a terrorist threat.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% oppose government use of drones for this purpose. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 8-9, 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% Rate Obama’s Deficit Reduction Efforts As Poor

Voters give President Obama better marks for pursuing economic fairness than in dealing with the nation’s  federal budget deficits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to handling issues related to economic fairness. Nearly as many (39%) view his performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

59% Have Favorable Opinion of Social Security

Most voters still have a favorable opinion of Social Security but lack confidence that the government program will pay them their full benefits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Social Security.  Thirty-four percent (34%) have an unfavorable opinion of the government retirement program.  These figures include 26% with a Very Favorable view and 11% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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.

Only 36% Think President, Congress Should Stop March 1 Spending Cuts

President Obama and many members of Congress expected strong voter opposition to automatic and across-the-board government spending cuts scheduled for March, but it hasn’t materialized. Partly that’s because most voters recognize that they’re not really spending cuts anyway.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president and Congress should stop the automatic spending cuts from going into effect next month. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and say Congress and the president should not stop the automatic spending cuts.  Just as many (34%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Blame Humans More Than Sun for Global Warming

A recent United Nations report acknowledges that solar activity may have a bigger impact on climate change than previously thought. Most voters agree that activity on the Sun is likely to have an impact on the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, but even more think human activity is a likely factor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 60% of Likely Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that the level of activity on the Sun – including solar flares and sun spots – has an impact on the long-term heating and cooling of the Earth’s atmosphere. Only slightly more (66%) think it's likely human activity has a similar long-term impact.

But while these findings include 30% who feel solar activity is Very Likely to have an impact on the atmosphere's temperature, 41% think human activity is Very Likely to be a factor.

Twenty-one percent (21%) of voters believe activity on the Sun is not likely to have an impact on the long-term heating and cooling of the Earth's atmosphere, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twenty-six percent (26%) don’t see human activity as a likely factor, including nine percent (9%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided about solar activity, compared to seven percent (7%) when it comes to human activity. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 4-5, 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.

Voters Want Foreign Policy Focused on Protecting America First

A third of U.S. voters believe President Obama’s foreign policy tends to blame America first, while a slightly larger number thinks congressional Republicans instinctively send Americans first to resolve international conflicts. Voters overwhelmingly want a policy that protects the United States first.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president’s foreign policy is designed to protect America first. Thirty-one percent (31%) think his policy is to blame America first. Only eight percent (8%) believe he is willing to send Americans first.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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.

Obama Earns Mixed Marks on Taxes, Spending

Voters give President Obama mixed reviews when it comes to taxes and government spending but think he's doing a slightly better job on the revenue side.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president’s handling of issues related to taxes as good or excellent, while 39% give him a poor rating in this area. 

Similarly, 39% consider his handling of government spending to be good or excellent, but 45% think he’s doing a poor job. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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.

Most Believe Political Leaders Put U.S. Troops At Risk Too Often

Americans continue to believe that our nation’s elected politicians favor a far more interventionist foreign policy than the public supports.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe our political leaders send U.S. soldiers into harm’s way too often. Just five percent (5%) think the policy makers don’t use the nation’s military might often enough. Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe the balance is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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.

56% Support Right to Choose Your Own Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age

Most voters continue to believe Americans should be able to choose their own Social Security and Medicare retirement age, but support is down from two years ago. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, as long as they are able to cover the cost of their decision, people should have the right to pick their own Social Security and Medicare retirement age. Those who want to retire earlier could pay more in Social Security taxes now. Those who would prefer lower taxes today could pay less in taxes and retire later. Twenty-four percent (24%) don’t think Americans should have that option, while another 19% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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.

11% Say U.S. Should Be World’s Policeman

Very few voters think the United States should take on the responsibility of ensuring peace and democracy in the world, a view that has changed little over the years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% of voters think the United States should be the world’s policeman, virtually unchanged from findings in 2011 and 2009. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree, but 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 29-30, 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.

70% Want Navy to Protect U.S., Not Be 'Global Force for Good'

New recruiting commercials present the U.S. Navy as "a global force for good," a description that aggravates some policy analysts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that it doesn’t do too well in the court of public opinion either. Seventy percent (70%) of Likely U.S. Voters nationwide believe the Navy’s primary mission is to protect and defend the United States. Only 20% prefer having the Navy serve as a global force for good. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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% Say Economic Concerns Bigger Threat Than Terrorists, Military Attack

While politicians in Washington wrangle about the new secretary of Defense and a reduction in growth of the military budget, most voters see economic concerns as a much bigger threat to the nation. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe economic challenges represent the biggest threat to the United States. Half as many (27%) see terrorist attacks as the biggest threat. Only six percent (6%) believe the biggest concern comes from conventional military attacks. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 29-30, 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% View Hagel’s Confirmation As Likely

Despite his weak performance at last week’s Senate confirmation hearings, opinions of Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel are little changed, and most voters think he is likely to be confirmed.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Hagel, while 32% view him unfavorably. Thirty-five percent (35%) still don’t know enough about the former Republican senator from Nebraska to venture any kind of opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 2-3, 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.