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April 29, 2014

43% View Attorney General Eric Holder Unfavorably

Attorney General Eric Holder, who has tangled repeatedly with Republicans in Congress and was forced last week to cancel a public appearance in Oklahoma in the face of public protests, remains one of the best-known and least-liked members of President Obama's Cabinet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Holder, while 43% view him unfavorably. This includes seven percent (7%) who view the nation's top law enforcement officer Very Favorably and 29% who view him Very Unfavorably.

One-in-three voters (33%) don't know enough about Holder to voice any kind of opinion of him, but most Cabinet members are far more anonymous than that as far as the public is concerned. Holder is less well-known but just as unpopular as Secretary of State John Kerry and departing Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius among the president's Cabinet officers. (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 23-24, 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.

April 28, 2014

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 38%

Republicans have taken a two-point lead over Democrats on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, April 27.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat 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 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from April 21-27, 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.

April 28, 2014

Maine Senate: Collins (R) 60%, Bellows (D) 24%

Republican Senator Susan Collins appears to be on an easy path to reelection in Maine this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely Maine Voters support Collins, while her Democratic opponent, Shenna Bellows, earns 24% of the vote. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate in the race, and nine percent (9%) 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 830 Likely Voters in Maine was conducted on April 23-25, 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.

April 28, 2014

51% Oppose FCC Regulation of the Internet; 18% Favor

Just over half of voters continue to oppose federal government regulation of the Internet and feel Internet users are best protected by the free market, not the government.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 18% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Federal Communications Commission should regulate the Internet like it does radio and television. Fifty-one percent (51%) oppose FCC supervision over the Internet, while 31% 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 April 25-26, 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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April 28, 2014

Now We Know: Economic Inequality Is a Malady -- And Not a Cure By Joe Conason

It has been a long, long time since Americans accepted the advice of a French intellectual about anything important, let alone the future of democracy and the economy. But the furor over Thomas Piketty's stunning best-seller, "Capital in the 21st Century" -- and especially the outraged reaction from the Republican right -- suggests that this fresh import from la belle France has struck an exposed nerve.  

April 28, 2014

37% Favor Single-Payer Health Care System

A plurality of voters still opposes the national health care law’s insurance mandate and a single-payer health care system.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government should require every American to buy or obtain health insurance. Forty-five percent (45%) oppose this so-called individual mandate. 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 April 19-20, 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.

April 27, 2014

23% Think Schools Assign Too Much Homework

Most Americans think homework is a good measure of a student's performance, but only one-in-three feel that students today are getting the right amount of take-home work. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of American Adults believe that homework is at least somewhat important in assessing a student's overall performance in school, including 40% who say it’s Very Important. Just 11% think homework is not very or Not At All Important in measuring student performance. (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 April 22-23, 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.

April 25, 2014

49% Still Think Financial Bailouts Bad For U.S.

Looking back, half of voters continue to disagree with the government bailouts of the financial industry.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 30% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the government bailouts of the financial sector were good for America.  Forty-nine percent (49%) say they were bad for the country instead. Twenty-one percent (21%) 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 April 19-20, 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.

April 25, 2014

55% Favor Government Oversight of Political Ads and Candidates’ Comments

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a case aimed at overturning an Ohio law that makes it a crime to make false statements in a political campaign. But most voters favor government policing of the truthfulness of campaign ads and statements.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the government should be allowed to review political ads and candidates’ campaign comments for their accuracy and punish those that it decides are making false statements about other candidates. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% oppose such government oversight. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 April 23-24, 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.

April 25, 2014

49% Oppose Affirmative Action in College Admissions, 25% Favor

The U.S. Supreme Court this week upheld a Michigan law that prohibits the use of race as a determining factor in college admissions. Half of Americans agree with that decision, and even more think it’s better for colleges and universities to put the emphasis on ability, not race.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults favor applying affirmative action policies to college admissions, unchanged from May of last year.  Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed, up from 44% in the previous survey. Twenty-six percent (26%) 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 onTwitter or Facebook

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 22-23, 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.

Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com
April 25, 2014

32% in Florida Would Vote for Rubio for President, 20% Undecided

Marco Rubio’s name has been on virtually every short list of Republican presidential candidates since he was elected to the Senate in 2010, but voters in his home state of Florida are not enthusiastic about him seeking the White House.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that only 21% of Likely Florida Voters think Rubio should run for the presidency in 2016. Fifty-two percent (52%) oppose a presidential bid by the first-term senator and former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Twenty-six percent (26%) 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 750 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on April 21-22, 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.

April 24, 2014

35% Think U.S. Doesn't Spend Enough on Schools

Voters still don’t really know how much the United States spends per student each year, but when given the exact figure, just one-third think it's not enough.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters correctly recognize that the United States spends about $11,000 per year per student. Forty-three percent (43%) think it's less that that, with 11% who believe the per-student figure is $3,000. Seven percent (7%) think the nation spends an average of $13,000 per student per year. Forty-one percent (41%) 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 March 24-25, 2013 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 24, 2014

45% Rate Obama's Leadership As Poor

The number of voters who rate President Obama’s leadership as poor is at the highest level of his entire presidency.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a poor job. That’s up five points from 40% a month ago and the president’s worst showing in monthly surveying since November 2008. Nearly as many (41%) rate the president’s job performance as good or excellent, although that’s down from 44% in 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 March 20-21, 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.

April 24, 2014

Florida Governor: Crist (D) 45%, Scott (R) 39%

Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist leads incumbent GOP Governor Rick Scott by six points in Rasmussen Reports' first look at Florida’s 2014 gubernatorial race.

The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters shows Crist, who served as governor from 2007 to 2011, picking up 45% of the vote to Scott’s 39%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, 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 survey of 750 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on April 21-22, 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.

April 24, 2014

53% Think Neither Political Party Represents the American People

Voters continue to believe Democrats have more of a plan for the future than Republicans do, but most again say neither party represents the public. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is fair to say that neither party in Congress is the party of the American people. That’s up six points from 47% last October and matches the previous high found in June 2012 during the last national election cycle. Just 28% disagree, while 19% 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 April 19-20, 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.

White letter R on blue background
April 24, 2014

Why Not Jeb? Also, Why? By Froma Harrop

As the 2016 presidential campaign starts to gather steam, prominent Republican names are rushing to the fore. One is that of Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush.

The thinking is that as painful memories of W's administration fade (to recap, two unfunded wars, soaring deficits and, as a grand finale, economic collapse), the public may feel more open to the idea of another Bush in the White House.

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

April 24, 2014

52% Consider a Home a Family’s Best Investment

Americans still to tend to view a home as a family’s best investment and remain cautiously optimistic about the current housing market where they live.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults say now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a house, up slightly from a month ago but down from September's high of 39%. Thirty-nine percent (39%) now disagree and think it's not a good time to sell. But that's a seven-point improvement from 46% in March. Twenty-seven percent (27%) 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 18-19, 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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April 24, 2014

Big and Little Nothings By Kyle Kondik

Yes, we know reporters have to react to news and find ways to make it relevant, but pardon us if we didn’t gag a little bit seeing headlines about the potential impact of Chelsea Clinton’s pregnancy on her mother’s potential presidential campaign. Some said the baby was timed for the campaign — because everyone knows a grandkid on the knee is a guaranteed vote-getter. (That’s why Mitt Romney won in a 2012 landslide.) Others suggested the opposite: Hillary Clinton was all ready to run until this news broke: Now she and Bill will want to babysit instead of barnstorming in Iowa (puh-leeze).

April 23, 2014

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 20.

The finding is down two points from 31% the previous week. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been in the narrow range of 28% to 30% for 16 out of the 18 weeks since mid-December.

(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 on April 14-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.