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November 20, 2014

The Democrats' Chronic Depression by Froma Harrop

"Smiles at the gas pump," my local headline reads. The price of gasoline has fallen below $3 a gallon.

When the national average rose last year to $3.51, Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, complained that "the liberal anti-free market policies of the Obama administration discourage the exploration of American sources of energy and hinder production and job growth."

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November 20, 2014

72% Think Stores Start Christmas Season Too Soon

Walking through any malls or stores across the country right now probably yields a familiar sight—Christmas trees, holiday music and seasonal decorations, and they’ve probably been there since Halloween. But how soon is too soon?

Nearly three-out-of-four American Adults (72%) think stores start the Christmas season too early, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% disagree. (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 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 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.

November 19, 2014

27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the third consecutive week, 27% 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 November 16.
  
This finding has ranged from 23% to 27% nearly every week since early June and has been below 30% most weeks since June of last 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 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from November 10-16, 2014. 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.

November 19, 2014

37% Think Now's A Good Time to Put A Home on the Market

Americans still believe in the value of a home as a family investment, and they remain more confident that now is a good time to sell.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree, but 20% are not sure. This is generally in line with surveys over the past five 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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 13-14, 2014 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

November 19, 2014

Americans Plan on Spending More This Holiday Season

Americans are in a more generous mood this holiday season, but they’re off to a slower start when it comes to shopping.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults have started their holiday shopping already. That’s down slightly from 37% a year ago at this time but a bit better than the 32% who had already begun shopping in mid-November 2012. Sixty-three percent (63%) haven’t got started 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 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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November 19, 2014

Control Freaks by John Stossel

Control freaks want to run your life. They call themselves "public servants." But whether student council president, environmental bureaucrat or member of Congress, most believe they know how to run your life better than you do.

November 19, 2014

Inflation Worries Remain High

Most adults continue to be concerned about inflation but show slightly more confidence in the Federal Reserve to control it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults are still concerned about inflation. Just 22% are not. These findings include 36% who are Very Concerned and just 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 15-16, 2014 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.

November 18, 2014

64% Say Their Home is Worth More Than When They Bought It

Homeowners remain confident they know much their home is worth in today’s market and more than ever think that it's are worth more than when they bought it. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Homeowners say they are confident they know how much their home is worth in today’s market. That is up slightly from September but is in line with surveys since 2011. Just 13% say they aren’t confident they know their home’s value in today’s market, down slightly from September. These findings include 44% who are Very Confident and two percent (2%) who are Not At All Confident. (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 673 American Homeowners was conducted on November 13-14, 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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November 18, 2014

End the Game on Immigration Reform by Froma Harrop

President Obama's plan to bypass Congress in shielding millions of immigrants from deportation is not the best way to do immigration reform. But if confrontation is what it takes to get House Republicans off their rear ends and deal with the problem, so be it.

November 18, 2014

Most Voters Still Veto Obama’s Immigration Plan

President Obama is reportedly about to announce that up to five million illegal immigrants will no longer be subject to deportation, but most voters oppose his plan. The majority, in fact, continue to believe the federal government already isn’t doing  enough to send illegal immigrants back home.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. government is not aggressive enough in deporting those who are in this country illegally, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up slightly from 52% in April but down from a high of 60% a year ago. Just 16% believe the government’s deportation policy is too aggressive, while 17% say the number of deportations is about right. Eleven percent (11%) 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 November 16-17, 2014 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.

November 18, 2014

For Voters, Growth Still Tops Fairness When It Comes to the Economy

Voters still believe there is a conflict between economic growth and economic fairness but also continue to feel that economic growth is the more important of the two.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of Likely U.S. Voters rate policies that encourage economic fairness as important, with 55% who say they are Very Important. But that compares to 94% who rate policies that encourage economic growth as important, including 72% who view them as Very Important. Thirteen (13%) say economic policies are not very or Not At All Important, while only four percent (4%) feel that way about policies to encourage economic growth. (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 November 16-17, 2014 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.

November 18, 2014

54% Are Confident in U.S. Banks

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is inching near this year’s high but still remains below the level of confidence measured before the 2009 financial meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including 12% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up just one point from October but up from 50% in September.

Forty-two percent (42%) are still not confident in the banking industry, including 11% who are Not At All Confident. (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 American Adults was conducted on November 15-16, 2014 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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November 18, 2014

Where The Polls Were Wrong -- And, Maybe, Why By Michael Barone

Were the polls wrong? It's a question asked after every election. Sometimes, as in 1948, the answer seems as obvious as the answer to the question, "Why did Custer lose at Little Bighorn?" Sometimes the answer is less obvious, as it is this year.

November 17, 2014

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 41%, Democrats 41%

In a survey taken the week after they won full control of Congress, Republicans are now tied with Democrats on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending November 16 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while the same amount (41%) would choose the Democrat.

November 17, 2014

44% Support Health Insurance Individual Mandate

More voters are in favor of the government requiring every American to obtain health insurance, but support for a single-payer system has fallen to its lowest level this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the new health care law’s requirement that every American obtain insurance. Just as many (43%) oppose requiring Americans to have health insurance. 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 14-15, 2014 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.

November 17, 2014

New High: 40% Think Home’s Value Will Go Up In Next Year

Homeowners’ short-term confidence in their home’s value has hit its highest level yet, and long-term optimism is looking up as well.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Homeowners now expect their home’s value to increase in the next year. This is up five points from October and the highest level of short-term optimism to date. Thirteen percent (13%) say the value will go down in that period, nearly unchanged from previous survey. Forty-four percent (44%) believe it will stay about the same in the next year, in line with recent surveys. Three percent (3%) 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 673 American Homeowners was conducted on November 13-14, 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.

November 17, 2014

Voters Still Support Keystone XL Pipeline

While President Obama has indicated that he would likely veto a bill directing the federal government to move forward with the approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline, most voters continue to favor the pipeline’s construction and feel it will help the U.S. economy. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now at least somewhat favor building the major oil pipeline from Canada to Texas, while just 27% are opposed. This includes 37% who Strongly Favor the project and 14% who Strongly Oppose it. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 November 14-15, 2014 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.

November 15, 2014

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week Ending November 15

Obamacare is back in the news, for better or worse.

The U.S. Supreme Court has opted to hear another legal challenge of the health care law, while the Obama administration hopes the glitches in the federal exchange website have been fixed in time for this weekend’s open health insurance enrollment. Meanwhile, several videos have surfaced showing one of the law’s chief architects saying it was deliberately written in a confusing manner so “stupid” voters wouldn’t realize how much the law could end up costing them.

November 14, 2014

Voters Less Confident in America's Shale Oil Reserves

Most voters continue to believe that development of shale oil reserves will likely end U.S. dependence on foreign oil, but they are not as convinced that the United States has enough reserves to become the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 88% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat important for the United States to become less dependent on oil imports, with 61% who say it’s Very Important. Just eight percent (8%) say it's not very or Not At All Important for this country to become more energy independent. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 2014 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.

November 14, 2014

Voters Favor Putting Health Care Law On Hold Until Court Challenges End

The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen to hear another legal challenge to the new national health care law, and nearly half of voters think it might be a good idea to put the brakes on Obamacare until all the court cases opposing it are through.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of Likely U.S. Voters thinks implementation of Obamacare should be put on hold until all legal challenges are exhausted. Forty percent (40%) disagree, but 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 2014 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.