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                            February 19, 201430% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty percent (30%) 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 16.
That's up from 29% the previous two weeks. This finding has seesawed between 29% and 30% every week since mid-December and is consistent with attitudes for much of the Obama presidency. A year ago, 38% said the country was heading in the right direction.
(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 February 10-16, 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.

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                            February 19, 2014What America Thinks: More Voters Now Consider Afghanistan Nat'l Security Threat
Despite U.S. protests, Afghan authorities last week released 65 prisoners, some involved in attacks on Americans, so it's not surprising that U.S. voters remain pessimistic about a war now in its thirteenth year.

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                            February 19, 201458% Still Trust A Jury’s Verdict More Than A Judge’s
Juries are in the news again after a Florida man was found not guilty of murder last week for shooting a teenager who refused to turn down his loud rap music. But most Americans still have more faith in juries than in judges, although their views of the overall U.S. justice system have fallen.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults trust a jury more to determine the guilt or innocence of someone accused of criminal behavior. Just 22% trust a judge more, while nearly as many (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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 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.
February 19, 2014Students for Liberty By John Stossel
On Saturday, some 1,500 students from all over the world gathered to discuss freedom at the Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C.   

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                            February 19, 201428% Owe More Money Than They Did Last Year, 30% Owe Less
Slightly more Americans say they owe more money now than they did a year ago, although most say they are paying about the same amount in interest rates.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of American Adults owe more money than they did a year ago. That’s up from 23% in January and the highest level measured since last August. But 30% say they owe less money than they did last year at this time, the lowest finding since July 2012. Forty percent (40%) say their level of debt is about the same. (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 February 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.

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                            February 18, 201451% Are Confident in Nation's Banks
Americans began the year with the most optimistic views of the nation’s banks since before the Wall Street meltdown, but that confidence now has fallen back to levels seen for much of last year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults are now at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry,although that includes only 15% who are Very Confident. Forty-four percent (44%) don't share that confidence, with 14% 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 February 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.

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                            February 18, 201438% of Republicans Believe Tea Party Good for GOP in 2014, 32% Disagree
While the Republican establishment struggles to beat back Tea Party elements within the party, GOP voters tend to see the grass roots movement as more of a help than a hindrance in the upcoming elections. But it’s close.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely Republican Voters believe the Tea Party will help the Republican Party in election 2014. Thirty-two percent (32%) of GOP voters think the movement will hurt their party instead, while 10% say it will have no impact. 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 Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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.

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                            February 18, 20148% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job
Voters continue to give Congress rock-bottom ratings, and very few think members of Congress get reelected because they are good at their job.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent. Sixty-six percent (66%) think Congress is doing a poor job. That’s unchanged from last month but still an improvement from November when 75% said Congress was going a poor job, the legislators' highest negative in seven years of regular surveying.  (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 February 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.
February 18, 2014The Failure of Obama's Aristocracy of Merit By Michael Barone
The roots of American liberalism are not compassion, but snobbery. That's the thesis of Fred Siegel's revealing new book, "The Revolt Against the Masses: How Liberalism Has Undermined the Middle Class."   
February 18, 2014Stop Insulting Minimum Wage Workers by Froma Harrop
Beating down low-paid workers is not only not nice but also not necessarily good for business. And though some arguments against raising the minimum wage are debatable, others are simply insulting.
The national minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour. Back in 1968, it was $10.77 in today's dollars. So President Obama's proposal to raise the minimum to $10.10 is hardly radical.
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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                            February 18, 201439% Give Obama Positive Marks for Economic Fairness, 39% Say Poor
President Obama made income inequality the central issue of last month's State of the Union address, but voters give the president only slightly better marks now when it comes to his handling of issues related to economic fairness.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president is doing a good or excellent job in this area. That's up from 37% in December but still down from 42% a year ago. However, just 39% also say the president is doing a poor job when it comes to economic fairness, down five points from two months ago and his lowest negative in a year. (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 February 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. 

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                            February 17, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 37%
Democrats continue to hold a lead over Republicans on Generic Congressional Ballot.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey from the week ending Sunday, February 16 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today. Thirty-seven percent (37%) would choose the Republican instead. Democrats led by two points – 40% to 38% - the previous week. The two parties traded leads the first two weeks of February.
(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 February 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. 

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                            February 17, 2014Washington, Lincoln Top the List of Favorite Presidents
This President’s Day, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are among Americans’ favorite presidents, even though few consider it an important national holiday.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults consider President’s Day, which falls today, one of our nation’s most important holidays, while 33% consider it one of the least important. Most (54%) see it as somewhere in between. (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 February 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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                            February 17, 201459% More Worried U.S. Troops Will Remain in Afghanistan Too Long
As officials from both countries continue to debate the plan for America’s occupation of Afghanistan after 2014, U.S. voters continue to express pessimism about the war and want troops withdrawn immediately. But belief that the country is a vital U.S. national security interest has risen following the release of Afghan prisoners last week against repeated U.S. objections.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely Voters think it is possible for the United States to win the war in Afghanistan. Fifty-three percent (53%) say victory is not possible, while 24% 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 February 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. 
February 17, 2014Recycling for Fun and Profit: The Imminent Return of the 'Clinton Scandals' by Joe Conason
Hillary Clinton may well run for president in 2016. Or she may not. But while the nation awaits her decision, both jittery Republican politicians and titillated political journalists -- often in concert -- will seize upon any excuse to recycle those old "Clinton scandals."

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                            February 17, 2014New High: 77% Support Purchasing Health Insurance Across State Lines
Just over half of voters still have an unfavorable opinion of the new national health care law, though slightly more now support the government requiring all plans to cover the same set of medical procedures than they have since October. Voters still strongly support choice when it comes to health insurance.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the new law at least somewhat favorably, while 52% share an unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 16% with a Very Favorable view and 40% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 February 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.

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                            February 16, 201449% Say Buying a Home is Best Investment for Families
Just about half of Americans think buying a home is a good investment, while the belief that now is a good time to sell a home remains steady.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. This is down slightly from December but is in line with findings in regular surveys throughout 2012 and 2013. An all-time high of 67% felt that way in May 2009. Twenty-seven percent (27%) now feel a home is not a family’s best investment, while 24% 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 American Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 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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                            February 15, 2014What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending February 15, 2014
The Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia have provided plenty of drama for over a week now, but Washington, DC offered some excitement of its own this week.

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                            February 14, 201483% Say It’s Important For Economy to Provide All Chance to Succeed
Most voters continue to support an economic system that provides everyone a chance to succeed, and they generally believe it is fair and helpful for the economy to let those who are successful become very rich.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of Likely U.S. Voters now think it is at least somewhat important for the economic system to provide everybody with an opportunity to succeed. This is down three points from October’s all-time high. Just 14% do not think that this is important, up from a record low of 10% in October. This includes 59% who think it’s Very Important  for everyone to have a chance to succeed, and just four percent (4%) who think it’s Not At All Important. (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 February 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

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                            February 14, 201425% Believe Gov't Should Assist Those Who Can’t Make Mortgage Payments
Most homeowners continue to say they have not missed a mortgage payment in the last six months and fewer than ever expect to in the near future. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of U.S. Homeowners admit to missing or being late on a mortgage payment in the last six months. Ninety-three percent (93%) have not missed or been late on a payment, up slightly from 91% in December. (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 610 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 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.