Politics

Most Recent Releases

June 3, 201252% See Romney As Mainstream, 45% Say Same of Obama
Most voters now see Mitt Romney as politically mainstream, but they're evenly divided over whether President Obama’s political views are mainstream or extreme. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds that 52% say it’s more accurate to describe the putative Republican nominee’s views as mainstream, while 30% regard them as extreme. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. 
When it comes to the president's political views, 45% of voters say they're in the mainstream, but an identical 45% say it's more accurate to describe them as extreme. (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.
This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 30-31, 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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                            June 1, 201263% Think Current System Discourages Third Party Candidates
Most voters agree that the election system is stacked against third-party candidates and think the rules should be changed to level the playing field.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the current electoral setup discourages third party challenges. Just 24% disagree and say the system is not gamed to discourage third party runs. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 May 30-31, 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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                            May 31, 201215% Say Government Should Determine Pricing for Internet Use
Most Internet providers charge a flat rate to customers regardless of how long they are online or how much material they download. But the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is now proposing usage-based Internet pricing. 
Just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think the government should decide whether those who use the Internet more should pay more. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% think individual companies that provide Internet service should be allowed to decide pricing for themselves. 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.
May 31, 2012Only 19% See Obama, Romney As Best Possible Presidential Candidates
Mitt Romney may have clinched the Republican nomination this week, but most voters aren't happy with the choices they now face in this year’s presidential election.
Just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Romney and President Obama are the two best people running for the presidency. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% don’t believe they're the best possible nominees. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 26-27, 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.
May 30, 201248% Agree With Romney on Issues, 46% Say Same of Obama
President Obama and Mitt Romney run neck-and-neck when voters are asked if they agree or disagree with the candidates on the issues.
Forty-eight percent (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters personally agree with Romney, while 46% agree with the president, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
These figures include 38% who agree with the Republican challenger on most important issues and 10% who agree with him on just about everything. Obama’s total is made up of 32% who agree with him on most important issues and 14% who agree on nearly everything. (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 May 26-27, 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.
May 29, 201246% See Obama-Romney Race as Choice of Lesser of Two Evils
Most voters see serious differences of opinion between President Obama and Mitt Romney, but Democrats are a lot more excited about their candidate than Republicans are about theirs.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the president and the likely Republican presidential nominee disagree on most important issues, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Another 25% say they disagree on just about everything. Only six percent (6%) believe the two candidates agree on most important issues, with two percent (2%) more who say they agree on just about everything. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 26-27, 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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                            May 27, 201255% Favor Welcoming Immigration Policy
Most voters continue to support a welcoming immigration policy but still feel the focus of immigration reform should be on gaining control of the border. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the goal of immigration policy should be to keep out only national security threats, criminals and those who come to the United States to live off its welfare system. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 22-23, 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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                            May 25, 201258% Concerned Efforts To Identify Illegal Immigrants Will Violate Civil Rights
While voters remain concerned that efforts to deport illegal immigrants will inadvertently lead to civil rights violations, a majority still disagrees with granting automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned that efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants will also end up violating the civil rights of some U.S. citizens, including 24% who are Very Concerned.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) are not concerned a citizens' rights will be violated in this process, with 10% who are Not At All Concerned.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 22-23, 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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                            May 25, 201232% View ‘Help’ from Government As Frightening Thought
Ronald Reagan would be disappointed, but most voters, including the majority of Republicans, don’t agree with his definition of the nine most frightening words in the English language.
In fact, just 32% of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the most frightening words you could hear are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% do not believe those are the most frightening words they could hear, while another 14% 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 nationwide was conducted on May 20-21, 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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                            May 24, 201251% Oppose Forcing Religious Organizations To Provide Birth Control
A number of Catholic organizations including the University of Notre Dame have filed lawsuits challenging the mandate in President Obama’s health care law that they provide birth control to their employees in violation of Catholic religious beliefs. While most voters oppose this mandate, they also think it’s unlikely these Catholic institutions ultimately will shut down rather than implement the health care law.

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                            May 23, 201248% Say Justice System Is Fair To Most Americans
Overall perceptions of the fairness of the U.S. justice system remain relatively unchanged from last year, but slightly more adults now believe the system is fair to poor and minority Americans.
Forty-eight percent (48%) of Adults think the justice system is generally fair to most Americans, according to a new national Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Thirty one percent (31%) don’t regard the system as fair to most Americans, while another 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 19-20, 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.
May 23, 2012Radio Update:  Republican Efforts to Exempt Military from Budget Cuts Out of Step with Voters
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

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                            May 23, 201215% Say It’s More Honorable To Work for Government Than For Private Company
Voters give low marks to government service compared to working in the private sector.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is more honorable to work for the government than it is to work for a private company. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree and say it is not more honorable. But a sizable 24% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on May 20-21, 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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                            May 22, 201257% Say American Society is Fair and Decent
Most Americans still view U.S. society as fair and decent, but they're more critical than they've been in a while.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters consider American society generally fair and decent, down from 60% a month ago and the first time that finding has fallen into the 50s since December 2008. Thirty percent (30%) say American society is generally unfair and discriminatory, the most negative assessment since September. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 May 16-17, 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.
May 22, 2012Radio Update:  Voters Want Government to Deliver More or Spend Less
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

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                            May 22, 201251% Think U.S. Should Withdraw All Troops From Europe
Mitt Romney is criticizing President Obama for making major cuts in defense spending and accuses him of undercutting America’s NATO alliance with its European allies. But voters continue to question the current level of U.S. defense spending, and most favor withdrawing all U.S. troops from Europe.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the United States should remove all its troops from Western Europe and let the Europeans defend themselves. Only 29% disagree, but another 20% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 20-21, 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.
May 21, 2012Radio Update:  Romney Record at Bain Capital a Modest Positive for Voters
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.
May 21, 2012Radio Update:  Enthusiasm Gap Favors Romney and the Republicans
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

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                            May 21, 201244% See Romney’s Business Past As Reason to Vote For Him, 33% Disagree
Democrats have begun criticizing Mitt Romney’s business record, but a plurality of voters view the Republican’s business past as a positive.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that Romney’s track record in business is primarily a reason to vote for him. Thirty-three percent (33%) see his business career as chiefly a reason to vote against him. Twenty-two percent (22%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 18-19, 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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                            May 19, 201252% Say States Should Be Allowed to Overrule Feds on Drug Approval
Most voters think states should be able to overrule the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and allow sale of a drug the federal agency has rejected.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that if a state government feels a drug has benefits in some circumstances, it should be able to approve sale of that drug within its borders even though the FDA already has denied approval. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 nationwide was conducted on May 12, 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.