What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending April 18, 2015
For the majority of Americans, the five-letter word “taxes” is dirtier than most words of the four-letter variety.
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April 18, 2015
April 17, 2015
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 39%, Democrats 39%
Republicans and Democrats are tied on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending April 16 finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican candidate in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while another 39% would choose the Democrat instead. Twenty-three percent (23%) prefer a third-party candidate or are undecided.
(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 telephone survey of 2,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from April 12-16, 2015. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
Demographic details and trends for this survey are available for Platinum Members only.
April 17, 2015
Americans Define Middle Class, Think Politicians Don’t Agree
Candidates across the political spectrum promise to help the middle class by cutting taxes. But most Americans think those candidates don’t even agree on who makes up the middle class, and they don’t believe their promises to cut taxes. (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 800 Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 17, 2015
Hillary Clinton: Out of Sync With the Times by Michael Barone
Presidents are inevitably shaped by the circumstances in which they campaign for -- and come into -- office. In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt called for "bold, persistent experimentation" and followed through once in office. Had Roosevelt run in another year, or had there been no Great Depression, he would have campaigned and governed differently.
April 17, 2015
Will Bill Help or Hurt Hillary in 2016?
Voters are less convinced that Bill Clinton will be a plus for his wife’s bid for the White House.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters think the former president will help Hillary Clinton’s run next year. That’s down from 54% a year ago. Twenty-one percent (21%) now think he will hurt her candidacy, up eight points from last year, while just has many (22%) say he’ll have no impact. (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 April 13-14, 2015 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.
Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.
April 16, 2015
Americans Are Less Interested in Being Teachers
Americans still have a very high opinion of teaching, but more than ever say it's not a job most people consider pursuing.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults view being a teacher as one of the most important jobs in our country today. That's down from a high of 76% in 2012 but more in line with regular surveying since 2008. Twenty-three percent (23%) don't consider teaching that important, while 10% 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 800 Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.
April 16, 2015
The Civil War Ended 150 Years Ago – Or Did It?
Looks like the North and South still don’t see eye-to-eye on the Civil War 150 years after it ended, but one-out-of-three Americans don’t even know when that cataclysmic conflict took place. (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 800 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 16, 2015
Voters Rate Obama, GOP Congress As Harmful to Presidential Nominees
A lot can happen in the nearly 19 months between now and Election Day, but right now voters agree President Obama and the Republican-led Congress are problems for the presidential candidates of their respective political parties.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president’s record in office will help the next Democratic presidential candidate. A plurality (47%) believes Obama’s record in the White House since 2009 will hurt his party’s nominee instead, while 22% say it will have no impact. (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 April 5-6, 2015 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.
Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.
April 16, 2015
Often There's No Sensible Middle By Froma Harrop
Some time ago, I heard a power company executive arguing that humans have played no role in global warming. Actually, he went further, "demonstrating" that global warming isn't even happening. (This is often done by cherry-picking dates to start with an unusually warm year.) He ended by spreading his arms and beseeching us in his common-sense voice, "Can't we meet in the sensible middle?"
April 16, 2015
Rubio for President?
Senator Marco Rubio is the third Republican to officially announce his candidacy for president, and GOP voters think he has about the same shot as his announced rivals to win the party’s nomination. (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 April 13-14, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 15, 2015
Most Still Favor Parental Choice in Schools
Voters remain critical of the nation’s public schools and still strongly favor giving parents choices when it comes to their children's education.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S.Voters rate the performance of public schools in America today as good or excellent, while just as many (30%) rate it poorly. These attitudes have changed little in regular surveys since 2012. (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 April 7-8, 2015 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.
Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.
April 15, 2015
57% Think Hillary Clinton Likely To Win in 2016
Most voters think Hillary Clinton will be the next president of the United States even though they have very mixed feelings about her. (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 April 13-14, 2015 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.
April 15, 2015
Freedom of and from Religion by John Stossel
Religious oppression was one reason many of our ancestors came to America. They wanted to escape rulers who demanded that everyone worship their way. In Ireland, Catholics couldn't vote or own a gun.
April 15, 2015
Do You Pay Your Fair Share in Taxes?
Most Americans say they are filing their income taxes on time this year, but over half think they are paying more than they should.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults believe that, compared to people who make more or less than they do, they pay more than their fair share of taxes. Twenty-three percent (23%) disagree, but just as many (24%) 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 800 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.
April 14, 2015
Most Will Pay Up - Again - by Tax Day
Most Americans are on schedule to file their income taxes by tomorrow’s deadline, with half expecting a refund.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of American Adults have already filed their income taxes, with 10% more who say they’ll do so by tomorrow. Six percent (6%) plan to seek an extension, while nine percent (9%) are still not sure what they’ll do at this late date. (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 800 American Adults nationwide was conducted on April 12-13, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 14, 2015
A Very Fluid Race for the Republican Nomination By Michael Barone
Two weeks ago, Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president at Liberty University, and last week, Rand Paul announced at the Galt House hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Marco Rubio is expected to announce this week at the Freedom Tower in Miami. Others will follow.
So what have we learned about the race for the Republican nomination for president so far?
April 14, 2015
Farming Moves North With the Temperatures By Froma Harrop
Before there was a California, New England fed itself. Somehow. The soil was lousy, the climate cold and the diet limited (lots of cabbage, no avocados). At least there was plenty of water.
April 14, 2015
Is Your Water Supply Safe?
While California is making headlines with its mandated reduction in water usage, Americans are overwhelmingly confident in their own water supply. But many question whether their local governments are doing enough to protect it. (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 800 American Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 13, 2015
Clinton's Short List of Rivals By Larry J. Sabato and Kyle Kondik
The least shocking announcement since… well… Rand Paul’s presidential launch last week is now in the books: Hillary Clinton is running for president.
The perfunctory announcement came Sunday afternoon via a roughly 2.5-minute video, which is clearly targeted at key Democratic constituencies, like women, minorities, gays and lesbians, and labor. Clinton herself doesn’t appear until after the video’s halfway point, and she doesn’t interact with any of the others in the video.
April 13, 2015
29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending April 9.
This finding is unchanged from the previous two weeks. Three weeks ago, 27% felt the country was heading in the right direction, the lowest level of confidence this year. The number of voters who think the country is heading in the right direction has been 30% or higher most weeks since mid-December after generally being in the mid- to high 20s since mid-June 2013.
(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 telephone survey of 2,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from April 5-9, 2015. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
