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November 4, 2014

America’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.

November 4, 2014

Just 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.

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November 4, 2014

Obama 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.

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November 4, 2014

The 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.

November 4, 2014

Just 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.

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November 4, 2014

Palm 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.

November 3, 2014

Governor 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.

November 3, 2014

GOP 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.

November 3, 2014

Generic 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.

November 3, 2014

78% 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.

November 3, 2014

52% 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.

November 2, 2014

Connecticut 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.

November 2, 2014

Iowa 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.

November 2, 2014

Obama Full-Month Approval Holds Steady in October

When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.  

The president’s monthly job approval stayed at 47% in October, showing no change from September. It's up just two points from his two-year low of 45% reached last November during the troubled roll-out period for the new national health care law. Obama’s approval rating hit a year-to-date high of 49% in February and May.

(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.

Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

November 1, 2014

Alaska Governor: Walker (I) 50%, Parnell (R) 43%

Independent Bill Walker remains ahead of Republican Governor Sean Parnell in the final days of Alaska’s gubernatorial contest.

(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 887 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 27-30, 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 1, 2014

New Hampshire Governor: Hassan (D) 51%, Havenstein (R) 42%

Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan appears on her way to reelection in New Hampshire in the closing days of that contest.

(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 940 Likely Voters in New Hampshire 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 1, 2014

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending November 1, 2014

Is there a Republican Congress coming on Tuesday? The votes are already being cast in a number of states around the country.

November 1, 2014

43% Say There’s No Need for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time ends tomorrow, but Americans aren’t so sure it’s still necessary.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most American Adults (82%) know to move their clocks back an hour this weekend to end Daylight Saving Time (DST). Ten percent (10%) think they need to move their clocks forward an hour. (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 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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October 31, 2014

Democratic Dogs That Aren't Barking by Michael Barone

Sherlock Holmes famously solved a mystery by noticing the dog that didn't bark in the night. Dogs that are not barking at night -- nor in prime time -- provide some useful clues to understanding the significance of this year's election.

October 31, 2014

New Hampshire Senate: Shaheen (D) 52%, Brown (R) 45%

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen remains ahead of Republican challenger Scott Brown heading into the final weekend of New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race.

Shaheen picks up 52% of the vote to Brown’s 45% in the final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely New Hampshire Voters. One percent (1%) prefer another candidate, and two percent (2%) 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 940 Likely Voters in New Hampshire 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.