Politics

Only 23% Say U.S. Spends Too Much on National Security

The level of defense spending has become a hot campaign issue with Republicans opposing scheduled upcoming military budget cuts. Just 23% of voters now say the United States spends too much on national security, the lowest finding over the past year of regular tracking.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country spends about the right amount on national security, while 27% say it does not spend enough. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 7-8, 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.

New Mexico Senate: Heinrich (D) 52%, Wilson (R) 39%

Democrat Martin Heinrich maintains his double-digit lead over his Republican challenger, Heather Wilson, in New Mexico’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Heinrich with 52% support to Wilson’s 39%.  Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while another five percent (5%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This New Mexico survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on October 8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.  See methodology. 

18% Consider Vice Presidential Debate Very Important To Their Vote

Voters are attaching less importance to tonight’s vice presidential debate compared to the one four years ago but think Paul Ryan will do more in the debate to help his running mate than Joe Biden will. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the performance of the vice presidential candidates in the debate to be at least somewhat important to how they will vote, while 40% disagree. This includes 18% who view the candidates’ performances as Very Important and 12% who rate them as Not At All Important to their vote. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 9-10, 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.

48% Rate A Candidate’s Religious Faith Important to Their Vote

When John F. Kennedy ran for the presidency in 1960, many considered his Catholic faith a total disqualifier. Now fewer than half of voters regard a candidate’s religious beliefs as important at all to how they will vote, much less the deciding factor.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate a candidate’s religious faith as important to their vote, while slightly more (51%) do not.

These figures include only 19% for whom the faith of a candidate is Very Important. That’s down 16 points, though, from 35% in November 2006.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 3-4, 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.

New Mexico: Obama 54%, Romney 43%

President Obama continues to hold an 11-point lead over Mitt Romney in New Mexico.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of New Mexico Likely Voters shows the president with 54% of the vote to Romney’s 43%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate,  and two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This New Mexico survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on October 8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Trust Romney 50% to 43% Over Obama on Economy

Voters again trust Mitt Romney slightly more than President Obama on five major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. The widest gap in trust continues to be the economy where Romney has a seven-point lead.

The latest national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Romney more than the president when it comes to handling the economy, the issue that remains number one among voters as Election Day approaches. Forty-three percent (43%) trust the president more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

55% Still Think Obama Is The Likely Winner in November

Despite his stumbling debate performance, President Obama is still considered the favorite in the race for the White House.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe that regardless of who they want to win, Obama is most likely to win the presidential election this year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% think his Republican challenger Mitt Romney is the most likely winner. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 5-6, 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.

65% Think Media Reports More on Negative Campaigning Than on Issues

Most Americans already think there are more negative campaign advertisements on television this year, but they also feel the media focuses more on negative campaigning. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults believe the media reports more on negative campaigning than on issues raised by candidates. Just 18% think the media reports on the issues more, but just as many (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

53% See Election As Referendum on Obama’s Agenda

Most voters view this year’s election as a referendum on the Obama presidency rather than one on his Republican challenger’s plans for the future. But independent voters don’t believe that as strongly as GOP voters and Democrats do.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters consider this election as a referendum on President Obama’s agenda. Only 25% regard it as more about Mitt Romney’s agenda, but nearly as many voters (21%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 1-2, 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.

Just 17% View Debates as Very Important to How They Will Vote

Voters are attaching less significance to the outcome of tonight’s first presidential debate compared to the kick-off debate four years ago.

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they are likely to watch the presidential debates this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 65% who are Very Likely to watch, but that’s down nine points from 74% in September 2008.

Still, just 12% say they are not very or Not At All Likely to watch the debates this year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 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.

55% See More Negative Political Ads On TV This Year

Most Americans are paying at least some attention to political advertising on TV this year and think it’s more negative than in previous years. But most also are less likely to vote for a candidate who runs a negative ad. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults who watch television at least occasionally say they pay attention at least somewhat closely to political advertising. This includes 26% who follow the ads Very Closely. Forty-four percent (44%) aren’t following the televised ads, with 13% who don’t watch them at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

80% Still Think Health Care Repeal Likely If Romney Wins

Most voters still think the health care law’s days are numbered if Mitt Romney wins the White House and Republicans gain control of both the House and Senate.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 80% of Likely U.S. Voters believe repeal of the law is likely if Romney is elected and Republicans take control of Congress. Only 12% think repeal is not likely in the event of a GOP victory. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 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.

Maine: Obama 52%, Romney 40%

President Obama posts a 12-point lead over Mitt Romney in Maine.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Maine Voters finds Obama with 52% support to Romney’s 40%. Four percent (4%) favor some other candidate in the race, and another four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This Maine survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on September 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Maine Senate: King (I) 45%, Summers (R) 33%, Dill (D) 14%

Independent Angus King is well ahead of Republican Charlie Summers and Democrat Cynthia Dill in Rasmussen Reports' first look at the U.S. Senate race in Maine.

A telephone survey of Likely Maine Voters shows King earning 45% support to Summers' 33% and 14% for Dill. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This Maine survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on September 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

43% Expect Better Economy if Romney Wins; 34% Say Same of Obama

Most voters still don't think the economy will get better no matter which candidate wins the White House and which party wins control of Congress in November. But they’re now a little more confident in economic gains if Mitt Romney and the Republicans come out ahead. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 34% of Likely U.S. Voters think the economy is likely to get better if President Obama is reelected and Democrats regain full control of Congress, marking little change from early July when the two sides ran nearly even. By comparison, 43% now believe the economy is likely to improve if Romney wins and the GOP is in charge of Congress. That’s up seven points from 36% in the previous survey.

Sixty-two percent (62%) are more pessimistic about the economic impact if the president and his party in Congress win the election, with 41% who expect the economy to get worse and 21% who say it will stay about the same.

Fifty-two percent (52%) paint a similar picture if the Republican challenger wins and the GOP takes over Congress, including 37% who think the economy is likely to worsen and 15% who feel it will stay about the same.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 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.

48% Think Obama Better Understands Middle Class, 42% Say Romney

Voters in general are slightly more confident that President Obama has a better feel for the middle class than Mitt Romney, but middle class voters give the edge to Romney. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters think Obama better understands the issues of the middle class. Forty-two percent (42%) believe Romney has a better understanding of the middle class. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 23-24, 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.

45% Think U.S.-Muslim Relations Worse Than Four Years Ago

President Obama in June 2009 in one of his first major foreign policy initiatives delivered a highly publicized speech in Cairo reaching out to Muslims worldwide after the conflict of the Bush years. But only 18% of Likely U.S. Voters think U.S. relations with the Islamic world are better now than they were four years ago.

A plurality (45%) of voters believe those relations have gotten worse since then, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-one percent (31%) say America’s relationship with the Islamic world is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 21-22, 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.

44% Think Ryan Better Suited to Be President, 44% Say Same of Biden

Voters are evenly divided when asked which of the major vice presidential candidates is more qualified to be president.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters say Vice President Joe Biden is more qualified to serve as the nation's chief executive if need be, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But just as many (44%) say Mitt Romney's running mate, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, is more qualified to serve. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

23% Blame Middle East Protests on Anti-Islamic Video

Most voters think the recent protests at U.S. embassies in the Middle East were pre-planned and not a reaction to an anti-Islamic video on YouTube. They also believe overwhelmingly that terrorists are likely to have been involved in the murder of the U.S. ambassador to Libya.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that the recent embassy protests largely have been planned in advance. Just 23% think they were spontaneous reactions to the anti-Islamic video. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 21-22, 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.

51% in Wisconsin Approve of Governor Walker's Job Performance

Wisconsin voters are almost evenly divided over how the governor they almost removed from office is doing these days. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters finds that 51% at least somewhat approve of Governor Scott Walker's job performance, including 41% who Strongly Approve. But 49% disapprove, with Strong Disapproval from 41%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This Wisconsin survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on September 17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.