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February 10, 2015

The Democratic Majority That Emerged -- And Disappeared by Michael Barone

John Judis, co-author of the book "The Emerging Democratic Majority," now says in an article in National Journal that that majority has disappeared. His title: "The Emerging Republican Advantage."

February 9, 2015

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Republicans have inched ahead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending February 8 finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican candidate in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead.

(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 2,800 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from February 2-8, 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.

February 9, 2015

Do Voters Agree With Obama’s Comparison of Islam and Christianity?

President Obama has drawn sharp criticism for comments he made during last Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast equating atrocities by the radical Islamic group ISIS with past sins of Christianity, but a plurality of American voters agree with his sentiments.

The president in his speech said that the use of religion to justify violence and killings “is not unique to one group or one religion” and cited the Crusades and slavery as examples of terrible deeds done “in the name of Christ.” A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the president’s statements, but 41% disagree. Twelve percent (12%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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.

February 9, 2015

Should NBC’s Brian Williams Stay or Go?

NBC News has the highest rated evening news program, and anchor Brian Williams is a popular fixture on the program. But now that Williams has been caught in a lie, Americans tend to think he hurts NBC’s credibility and needs to go.

Williams has been forced to acknowledge that he didn’t tell the truth for years when he said he was aboard a helicopter during the Iraq invasion that was forced down by enemy fire. Forty percent (40%) of American Adults think Williams should resign because of this, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll. Thirty-five percent (35%) disagree, but 25% 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 800 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 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

February 9, 2015

Voters Still Cool to Obama’s Immigration Plan

Voters remain opposed to President Obama’s decision to give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants but have a slightly more favorable opinion of those who are coming to this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of the president’s new plan that will allow nearly five million illegal immigrants to remain in this country legally and apply for jobs. Fifty-one percent (51%) oppose the plan. Twelve percent (12%) 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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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.

February 8, 2015

Would More Religion Make America A Better Place?

Most Americans say their religious faith is important in their daily lives and think the nation would be better off if they practiced that faith more often.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults think America would be a better place if most people attended religious services on a regular basis. Just seven percent (7%) think the country would be worse off, while 30% believe more religious attendance would have no impact on society. Ten percent (10%) 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 800 Adults was conducted on January 26-27, 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.

February 7, 2015

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending February 6, 2015

Things are heating up for America on several fronts overseas, and voters don’t like what they see.

February 6, 2015

More Voters Say U.S. Needs to Spend More on Defense

As President Obama releases his latest National Security Strategy, more voters than ever think the country does not spend enough on the military and national security and that, in order to ensure its safety, the U.S. needs to spend at least three times as much on defense as any other nation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States does not spend enough on the military and national security. This is up eight points from November and the highest finding to date. Nineteen percent (19%) still believe the United States spends too much on defense, but this view has been trending downward since January 2013 when it reached a record high of 40%. Twenty-six percent (26%) say the country spends about the right amount in this area. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on February 4-5, 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.

February 6, 2015

More Americans Now Consider Themselves Among Working Poor

Although nearly half of working Americans expect to earn more money a year from today, slightly more now say they’re in poverty.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of employed American Adults say they’ll be earning more money a year from today, down from 50% in surveys since July. Just 12% expect to earn less money in a year, while 33% think their salaries will remain about the same over the next 12 months, generally in line with recent surveys. (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 571 Employed Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

February 6, 2015

Voters Criticize Obama’s Response to ISIS ‘War Crimes’

Voters say President Obama has not been vocal enough in criticizing the atrocities by the radical Islamic group ISIS and believe overwhelmingly that those involved in these acts should be tried for war crimes.

The Islamic State group also known as ISIS or ISIL has now publicly beheaded several civilians and just this week burned a captured Jordanian military pilot to death. But 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president has not spoken out strongly enough against these horrific acts. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% believe Obama has spoken out enough. Ten percent (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 survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on February 4-5, 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.

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February 6, 2015

A Candidate With Appeal to Both Suburban and Countryside Republicans? By Michael Barone

Can a single speech at an Iowa political event change the course of a presidential nomination race? Maybe.

It actually has happened. Barack Obama's November 2007 speech at a Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Des Moines is generally credited with giving him a lift toward winning the caucuses there two months later and putting him on the path to the presidency.

February 6, 2015

Americans Are Still Pro-Death Penalty

Support for capital punishment in America remains steady, despite concerns about wrongful executions and uncertainty as to whether such punishment deters crime.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults favor the death penalty. Just 26% are opposed, while 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 national survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 2-3, 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.

February 5, 2015

Voters Still Think Most High School Graduates Fall Short

Just a quarter of voters think U.S. schools are doing a good job, and that reflects in their views of the preparedness of today’s high school graduates.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 27% of Likely U.S. Voters rate U.S. public schools as good or excellent. Just as many (28%) rate the school systems poorly, but that's down from 34% in December and the lowest finding in two years. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on February 2-3, 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.

February 5, 2015

Americans Say Their Current Job Is Their Best Bet

Americans seem to be content with their current jobs as nearly half believe staying put affords them the best opportunity to get ahead. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 47% of Employed Americans believe staying with their current job gives them the best chance for career advancement. This finding is up six points from December and is the highest finding since January 2013. Thirty-three percent (33%) think going to work for someone else affords them the best chance for career advancement. Twenty percent (20%) 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 571 Employed Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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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February 5, 2015

A Fine Romance: Online Daters Hire Private Eyes By Froma Harrop

She was a lawyer, noisy but nice. He was a Marine, quiet and even nicer. They seemed an attractive, comfortable couple, so I was greatly surprised when -- after he left to use the men's room -- she leaned over to me at the next table and asked, "What do you think of him?"

They had connected through Tinder, the hot dating site known for emphasizing pictures. This was their first meeting.

"I think he's a prince," I responded, not knowing what else to say.

February 5, 2015

Most Still Favor Death Sentence for Colorado Theater Shooter

Most Americans still think the man who killed 12 and wounded 70 in a Colorado theater mass shooting in 2012 should get the death penalty, but there’s less support for punishing a suspect who’s proven to be mentally ill.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults still believe the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado shooting should receive the death penalty if convicted. But that’s down 11 points from 66% in July 2012 just after the incident occurred. Twenty-five percent (25%) now say the mass killer should not get the death penalty, unchanged from the earlier survey, but nearly as many (20%) are now 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 800 American Adults was conducted on February 2-3, 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.

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February 5, 2015

A Major Reshuffling of the Republican Presidential Deck By Larry J. Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley

For nearly two years we’ve been ranking the GOP presidential contenders, and we’ve only had two names in the No. 1 spot. Now, in our latest update, those two are together, and alone, at the top.

The new first tier is Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, and Scott Walker, the governor of Wisconsin.

February 5, 2015

Most Say Media Hype Worse Than the Weather

Far fewer Americans think the winter weather has been worse in their area this year, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it by the media coverage.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% of Americans say this winter has been worse where they live than it has been in past years. That’s down dramatically from 62% a year ago and is the lowest level measured in five years. Seventy-five percent (75%) say this winter is not worse than in past years, while 10% 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 Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 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.

February 4, 2015

Americans Insist: No Vaccine, No School

Following reports of a measles outbreak in 14 states, Americans are more concerned than ever about the danger unvaccinated children pose to others and overwhelmingly support requiring children to be vaccinated before being allowed to attend school.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American Adults are now at least somewhat concerned that children who do not receive all their vaccinations will cause health problems for other children. This includes 51% who are Very Concerned, up from 43% last April and 40% in 2010. Just 14% are not concerned about potential health problems caused by children who don’t receive their vaccinations, with four percent (4%) who are Not At All Concerned. (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 American Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 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.

February 4, 2015

34% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-four percent (34%) 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 February 1. 

This finding is down one point from the previous week which was the highest level of confidence since March 2013. The number of voters who think the country is heading in the right direction was below 30% most weeks for the past year.

(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 2,800 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from January 26-February 1, 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.