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November 6, 2014Progressives Don't Need Washington All That Much by Froma Harrop
The Republican takeover of the Senate majority really shouldn't matter much to progressives. Even when Democrats have the majority, precious little gets done in a body that lets a minority of members obstruct.
But never mind. A modern, future-oriented agenda has been advancing on the state level -- as progressive governors rush into the vacuum of inaction left by Washington. And its supporters are not just Democrats but also independents and Republicans who respect mainstream science and regard the working poor as something more than cheap labor.
Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Froma Harrop and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM

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                            November 6, 201458% Own a Pet and Most Consider it a Joy
More than half of Americans own at least one pet, and they think of their pet as a joy, not a hassle.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults own a pet, up slightly from a year ago. (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 was conducted on October 30-31, 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 5, 201427% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-seven percent (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 2.
 
The number who say the country is heading in the right direction is up one point from a week ago. This finding has now been in the 23% to 27% range nearly every week since early June and has been 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 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 27-November 2, 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.

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                            November 5, 201432% Think Doctors Overprescribe Drugs
Most Americans trust their doctor, but one-in-three believe most doctors overprescribe drugs to their patients and a large majority are concerned overuse could lower medications’ effectiveness.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults have a doctor they see on a regular basis. (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 was conducted on November 3-4, 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 5, 2014What’s Next on Obama’s Agenda?
Where does the president go from here?
The Republican takeover of the Senate is seen by many as a repudiation of President Obama. There’s no doubt that voters don’t approve of much of what they see out of the White House these days.
Just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now give the president good or excellent marks for his handling of both the economy and of national security, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-three percent (43%) say he’s doing a poor job when it comes to the economy, and slightly more (45%) rate his handling of national security issues as poor.(To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            November 5, 2014Grown Children Living With Parents Seen As Bad for Families, Economy
An overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe that it’s more common for grown children to live with their parents these days, and most think that’s a bad thing for families and the economy.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 80% believe it is more common for grown children to live with their parents compared to 20 years ago, up slightly from 77% a year ago but down six points from 2011. Only 11 percent 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 28-29, 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 4, 2014Rasmussen Employment Index Down a Point in October
The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures worker confidence, fell slightly for the second straight month in October.
At 99.4, worker confidence is down one point from 100.3 last month, and well below August’s six-year high. The index fell to a recent low of 81.2 last October but gained steadily after that.
Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government report on job creation will be weaker than the prior month’s reports.
(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 9,452 working Americans was conducted in October 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 4, 2014America’s Got the Blues
Americans are a pessimistic lot these days.
With Election Day upon us, most predictions see a Republican Congress in the making, and certainly our final surveying suggests that. Changes in the nation’s governorships are likely to be a bit less dramatic.
But some things are more definite, attitudes we've seen again and again that aren't subject to partisan projections and day-to-day news events.
(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.

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                            November 4, 2014Just 4% Say Candidates Keep Their Campaign Promises
After all the partisan debating leading up to today’s elections, voters of all parties agree that the candidates won’t deliver on what they promise. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only four percent (4%) of Likely U.S. Voters think most politicians keep their campaign promises. Eighty-three percent (83%) say most don’t keep the promises they make on the campaign trail. 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 2-3, 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 4, 2014Obama Will Leave the Democrats in Shambles by Michael Barone
Before the election results are in, and keeping in mind that there may be some unpleasant surprises for one party or the other -- or both -- it's possible to assess how the Democratic Party has fared under the leadership of President Obama. To summarize the verdict: not so well.
November 4, 2014The Crystal Ball’s Final 2014 Picks By Larry J. Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley
As is our longstanding tradition, we at the Crystal Ball attempt to call every election for House, Senate, governor, and in presidential years, the Electoral College. After studying these campaigns for months or years, we believe we owe you our best judgment about the outcomes. While we’re proud of our overall record over the years, we always miss a few calls, sometimes more than a few. Toss-ups are vexing, and the massive amounts of intelligence from polls, analysts, campaign managers, and party officials can be exceptionally contradictory. Not many of our sources have ever attempted to mislead us; they sincerely believe this candidate or that one will win — and smart people on the other side of the aisle are equally convinced their nominees will triumph.
The day after any election (or runoff or recount), when the actual winners are known, it all seems so obvious in retrospect. But of course it isn’t, pre-election. We apologize in advance — and we’ll do it again post-election — for all the races we will inevitably miscall. Our goal is perfection, and we’ll achieve it on the proverbial twelfth of never.

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                            November 4, 2014Just 51% Think Most Immigrants Work Hard to Pursue the American Dream
While most voters continue to have a favorable opinion of those who move to this country to work hard, support their family and pursue the American Dream, barely half believe most immigrants are like that.
Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of immigrants who come to the United States to do just that, in line with surveys dating back to May 2013. Just 13% have an unfavorable opinion of such immigrants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 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 was conducted on October 29-30, 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 4, 2014Palm Greasing Now Has an App by Froma Harrop
Uber, the car-summoning service, got some flak not long ago for "surge" pricing. Customers complained about its policy of raising prices charged for trips at times of high demand. That might happen on New Year's Eve, in the teeth of a monsoon or, less dramatically, during an especially busy lunch hour.
I never minded. Surge pricing seemed a fair way to deal with a short supply in a period of high demand. Those who badly wanted a ride would pay extra. And because the app clearly stated when surge pricing was in effect, the consumer could make an informed decision on whether or not to accept the deal.

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                            November 3, 2014Governor Races Scramble Down to the Wire
While they may not determine which party controls the U.S. Senate, 2014’s gubernatorial races have provided plenty of excitement and will have significant consequences for their states.
Overall, there are 36 governor races this year, including nine Toss-Ups, five that Lean Republican, two that Lean Democrat, 11 that are Safe Republican, eight that are Safe Democrat and one that Leans Independent.

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                            November 3, 2014GOP Appears on the Brink of Senate Control
Six is the magical number if you’re a Republican. The GOP needs a net gain of six seats in tomorrow’s elections to take control of the U.S. Senate - and by extension the entire Congress since Republicans are highly unlikely to lose their majority in the House.
But the key phrase is “net gain” which means Republicans have to win six seats now held by Democrats and not lose any of the seats currently held by GOP senators. Unfortunately, for Republicans, Kansas and Georgia aren’t being as cooperative as they’d like.
Thirty-six U.S. Senate seats are on the line tomorrow. Presently, 21 of them are held by Democrats and 15 by Republicans. Democrats currently have a 53-to-45 majority over Republicans in the Senate. In addition, there are two independent senators who caucus with the Democrats.

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                            November 3, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 41%
On the eve of the midterm elections, Republicans are maintaining their lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot with their highest level of support since November 2012. 
 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending November 2 finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while 41% would choose the Democrat.
(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 October 27-November 2, 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.

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                            November 3, 201478% Say Politicians Play ‘Race Card’ Just to Get Elected
Voters, regardless of race, agree that most politicians play the so-called “race card” just to pick up votes. Still, blacks strongly believe that those who oppose President Obama are racist.
Just nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters think most politicians raise racial issues to address real problems, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-eight percent (78%) say they bring up race just to get elected. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t 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 October 31-November 1, 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 3, 201452% Expect Health Care System To Worsen Under Obamacare
Heading into the highly consequential midterm elections, voters continue to give the U.S. health care system less than stellar reviews and believe it will get worse under the national health care law.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the nation’s health care system as good or excellent, though that’s up from 32% in September and is the highest positive rating since April. Thirty-two percent (32%) still give it poor marks, showing no change from the previous survey. (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 October 31-November 1, 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 2, 2014Connecticut Governor: Malloy (D) 48%, Foley (R) 47%
Does Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy have a chance to keep his job after all?
The final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Connecticut Voters finds Malloy picking up 48% of the vote to Republican Tom Foley’s 47%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) 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 977 Likely Voters in Connecticut was conducted on October 29-30, 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 2, 2014Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 55%, Hatch (D) 37%
Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad looks comfortably on his way to reelection next Tuesday.
This year’s final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters shows Branstad with 55% of the vote to Democratic challenger Jack Hatch’s 37%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) 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 990 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 28-30, 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.