Politics

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                            August 10, 2012Only 27% Say It's Appropriate for Government to Invest in Private Industry
Most Americans don’t like the idea of the federal government playing favorites in the business world. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is not appropriate for the government to invest in private companies. Just half that many (27%) disagree and believe it is okay for the government to invest in the private sector. 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 Likely Voters was conducted on August 4-5, 2012 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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                            August 9, 201258% Say Bombing Hiroshima, Nagasaki Was Good Decision
Sixty-seven years ago today, the U.S. military dropped a second atomic bomb on Japan, this time on the city of Nagasaki. Three days earlier, Hiroshima had been the target. Most Americans continue to feel the devastating bombings that killed thousands of Japanese civilians were a good idea and saved American lives. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults think it was a good decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. Just 19% say it was a bad decision. Twenty-three percent (23%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 7-8, 2012 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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                            August 9, 201287% Oppose Letting Government Officials Play Politics In the Marketplace
When the president of Chick-fil-A spoke out in support of traditional marriage in a recent interview, the mayors of Boston, Chicago and San Francisco angrily responded by saying the fast-food chain wasn’t welcome in their cities. But voters overwhelmingly believe those mayors should butt out.
Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Likely U.S. Voters say government officials should not be allowed to prohibit a business from opening if they disagree with the political views of the business owner. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only three percent (3%) think government officials should have the power to stop businesses because they disagree politically with the owners. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 8, 201261% Hold Favorable Opinion of Chick-fil-A
Ever since the president of Chick-fil-A volunteered his definition of marriage, the fast food chain has been the center of attention for friends and foes. While most voters view Chick-fil-A favorably, most don’t plan to change their eating habits because of the controversy.
Just 13% of Likely U.S. Voters are likely to participate in a boycott of Chick-fil-A restaurants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-seven percent (77%) do not plan to boycott the Chick-fil-A restaurants because of the controversy. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 7, 2012Voters Are Less Insistent That Immigrants Adopt U.S. Culture
Most voters continue to believe that people who move to the United States should adopt American cultures, but that number has reached a new low this month. Two-thirds of Likely U.S. Voters (66%) now say people who move to America should adopt American culture and language, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down from 71% last month. Nineteen percent (19%) say immigrants should maintain the culture, language and heritage of their home country instead, consistent with surveying for much of this year. Nearly as many (15%) now are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 2-3, 2012 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.

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                            August 7, 201256% Think Loan Guarantees for Solyndra Were A Bad Idea
Most voters don’t think the federal government should have invested in the failed alternative energy firm Solyndra which ended up costing taxpayers more than a half-billion dollars. But most also think it’s business as usual for government officials to help companies they like.
Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it was a good idea for the government to provide loan guarantees for Solyndra, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-six percent (56%) disagree and say it was not a good idea for the government to help fund the company this way. Twenty-eight percent (28%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.

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                            August 7, 201248% Think Hillary Clinton Might Run for President in 2016
Will she or won’t she? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she has no further political ambitions, but a sizable number of voters think she may run again for the presidency.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that Mrs. Clinton will run for president in 2016, but that includes just 17% who say it’s Very Likely. Thirty-six percent (36%) think she is unlikely to make a bid for the White House four years from now, but only seven percent (7%) feel it’s Not At All Likely. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 August 2-3, 2012 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.
August 6, 2012Only 32% Think Bill Clinton, Obama See Eye-to-Eye on Economy
Bill Clinton will have a prominent role at the upcoming Democratic National Convention to give a boost to President Obama’s reelection campaign, but voters aren’t sure if the two men agree on how to fix the economy.
Just 32% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Clinton and Obama hold similar views on how to fix the economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Slightly more (39%) think they have differing views on what’s needed, and another 29% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 5, 2012New High: 52% Are Pro-Choice
More voters than ever are now pro-choice when it comes to abortion, but just as many view it as morally wrong in most situations.
Overall, 52% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice when it comes to abortion, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-one percent (41%) say they are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 31-August 1, 2012 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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                            August 3, 201228% Conservative on Both Fiscal, Social Issues
A plurality of U.S. voters considers themselves fiscal conservatives, but they are more evenly divided when it comes to social issues. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely Voters now define themselves as conservative when it comes to fiscal issues such as taxes, government spending and business regulation. Thirty-six percent (36%) characterize themselves as moderates in this area.  Just 14% are fiscal liberals.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 2, 201245% Say Medicare is a Good Deal for Working Americans
Fewer voters now feel that Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today, and most are still not confident that they will receive all their promised benefits.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters say Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today, down from an all-time high of 49% in June. Thirty percent (30%) say it is not a good deal, but another 24% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 2012 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.

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                            August 2, 2012Voters Split on Whether Romney or Obama Would Make Better Foreign Policy Leader
Mitt Romney’s campaign portrayed his quick overseas trip as a success. President Obama’s team described the trip as an embarrassment and a gaffe-fest. When it ended, voters remain evenly divided between the candidates on foreign policy issues.  Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president is better able to deal with America’s allies. Another 44% say Romney is better for that task. A Rasmussen national telephone survey also found virtually identical results on the question of who is better poised to deal with our enemies—44% picked Romney and 43% named the president. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 2, 201237% Consider Romney’s Views Extreme, 47% Say Same of Obama’s
Voters are more likely to believe Mitt Romney’s views are in the mainstream than extreme, but are evenly divided on President Obama’s views.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 51% regard Romney’s views as mainstream. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say it would be more accurate to describe the presumptive GOP nominee’s views as extreme. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Views of the president are more evenly divided. While 44% believe it’s accurate to describe President Obama’s views as mainstream, 47% describe his views as extreme.
(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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 29-30, 2012 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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                            July 31, 201246% Will Be Voting For Lesser of Two Evils This Presidential Election
The 2012 presidential race has grown more contentious over the past few months, but voters’ opinions on the choice between President Obama and Mitt Romney haven’t changed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 45% say the choice between Obama and Romney is one they are excited about. Just as many (46%) say they will simply be voting for the lesser of two evils this November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            July 31, 201244% of TV Viewers Say There Are More Negative Campaign Ads This Year
Candidates are receiving unprecedented amounts of campaign financing as a result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling back in March 2010, so perhaps it’s no surprise that television viewers are noticing more political attack ads than ever this election.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of TV Viewers say there is more negative political advertising this election year than in previous years.  Only eight percent (8%) feel there are fewer negative ads, while 41% think the number is about the same as in past election years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 28-29, 2012 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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                            July 30, 201249% Say Syrian Government Likely to Use Chemical Weapons Against Opponents
As the violent rebellion continues in Syria, top officials have warned that President Bashar Assad’s regime is prepared to use chemical weapons against foreign attacks. Half of U.S. voters say it’s likely the Syrian government will use chemical weapons against its opponents and a sizable number say the United States should aid the rebels if that were to happen.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 49% believe it is at least somewhat likely that the Syrian government will use chemical weapons against its opponents, but that includes just 14% who see this action as Very Likely. Twenty-four percent (24%) don’t see Syria’s government taking this action, with just four percent (4%) say it’s Not At All Likely. But 26% of voters are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            July 30, 2012Most Voters Have Not Felt Personal Impact of Health Care Law
As the presidential election moves into full swing, most voters haven’t been personally impacted yet by the incumbent’s most significant legislative achievement.
Just 15% have been personally helped by passage of the health care law while 25% say they’ve been hurt by it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows 57% have not felt any impact yet. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 2012 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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                            July 27, 201266% Say Colorado Shooter Suspect Should Get Death Penalty
In the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shootings, more Americans than ever support the death penalty, and most feel this punishment is appropriate for the suspected killer if he's convicted. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults now favor the death penalty, while just 25% oppose it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 24-25, 2012 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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                            July 27, 201262% Think Health Law Likely to Cause Some Companies to Drop Employee Coverage
A sizable majority of voters continues to believe that some companies will drop health insurance coverage for their employees because of President Obama’s health care law. But there’s a noticeable partisan difference of opinion over whether that’s a good or bad thing.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that the law will cause some companies to drop their employee coverage. Just 27% feel that’s unlikely. These findings include 40% who believe it is Very Likely versus only seven percent (7%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 2012 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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                            July 26, 2012Just 23% Have a Favorable Opinion of Geithner
Despite receiving criticism for his potential involvement in the manipulation of a key global interest rate, slightly more voters share a favorable opinion of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner this month.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 23% have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Geithner, up from 18% in April. Thirty-seven (37%) hold at least a somewhat unfavorable view of the Secretary of the Treasury, down from 45% in April. This includes six percent (6%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 22% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 21-22, 2012 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.