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November 22, 2013

55% Say Senate Should Allow Yes-or-No Vote on All Presidential Nominees

The U.S. Senate yesterday ended rules that allowed a minority of senators to prevent a vote on a president’s political nominees, and most voters think the change is a good one.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Likely U.S. Voters think that, regardless of any disagreements, every presidential nominee should be the subject of a simple yes-or-no vote in the Senate. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% disagree, but another 23% 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 19-20, 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. 

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November 22, 2013

'Wild Turkey on the Rocks?' By Froma Harrop

Much we believe about turkeys is not true.

Myth No. 1: They were served at the "first Thanksgiving" feast in Plymouth, Mass. There's no evidence for that.

The Plymouth Colony governor, an observer wrote, "sent foure men on fowling" for the dinner. Fowling is an Old English reference to waterfowl. So ducks and geese were probably on the menu, not turkey.

Myth No. 2: Benjamin Franklin proposed that the wild turkey become the national symbol. He did call the bald eagle a bird "of bad moral Character" and praised the turkey as a "Bird of Courage." But he didn't endorse one bird over the other.

November 22, 2013

68% Think U.S. Public Schools Don't Provide World-Class Education

Confidence in U.S. public schools to provide students a world-class education and teach traditional Western values continues to fall.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of Likely U.S. Voters still believe that a “world-class education is the single most important factor in determining whether our kids can compete for the best jobs and whether America can out-compete countries around the world.” A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that just 22% disagree with this view expressed by President Obama. 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 19-20, 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.

November 21, 2013

52% Still Expect Higher Interest Rates A Year From Now

Most Americans feel that today’s interest rates are about the same as they were one year ago, but they expect to be paying higher rates a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults think interest rates will be higher in a year. That’s down six points from September which was the highest level of pessimism since early 2011. From July 2009 to early May 2011, this finding generally remained in the mid-to-high 50s but has been mostly in the 40s over the past couple years.

Just three percent (3%) expect lower rates this time next year, however, while 32% think rates will stay about the same. Thirteen percent (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 American Adults was conducted on November 14-15, 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.

November 21, 2013

44% Are Less Likely to Shop at Stores Open on Thanksgiving

A lot more stores are opening on Thanksgiving Day in hopes of getting a bigger share of the Black Friday sales crowd, but a large number of Americans appear turned off by the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults say they are more likely to shop at a store that opens on Thanksgiving Day to get a jump on Black Friday deals. Forty-four percent (44%) say they are less likely to shop at a store that opens on the holiday. Another 44% says it will have no impact on their shopping plans. (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 18-19, 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

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November 21, 2013

24% Believe Obama Opponents Driven By Racism

With President Obama struggling through perhaps the lowest point of his presidency, one-in-four voters believes racism is the driving factor behind opposition to his policies. But similar to past polls, voters of different races strongly disagree.

Sixty percent (60%) of Likely U.S. Voters think people oppose the president’s policies primarily because they believe the policies are bad. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 24% believe the opposition is due to racism. Ten percent (10%) think people oppose Obama’s policies for some other reason. (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 19-20, 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. 

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November 21, 2013

War on the Little Guy by John Stossel

Marty the Magician performed magic tricks for kids, including the traditional rabbit-out-of-a-hat. Then one day: "I was signing autographs and taking pictures with children and their parents," he told me. "Suddenly, a badge was thrown into the mix, and an inspector said, 'Let me see your license.'"

In "Harry Potter" books, a creepy Ministry of Magic controls young wizards. Now in the USA, government regulates stage magicians -- one of the countless ways it makes life harder for the little guy.

John Stossel is the author of No They Can't! Why Government Fails, but Individuals Succeed. For other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2013 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC.

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

November 21, 2013

Lone Gunman or Conspiracy? Americans Are Evenly Divided Over JFK Assassination

Fifty years after the gunshots that ended the life of John F. Kennedy, Americans are evenly divided over whether the 35th president of the United States was killed by one man or by a still-unidentified group of conspirators.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults believe Kennedy was the victim of a lone gunman on November 22, 1963. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just as many (37%) think he was the victim of a larger conspiracy. A sizable 27% are not sure, highlighting the questions that still surround the Kennedy assassination. (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 November 16-17, 2011 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 20, 2013

25% Say Country is Heading in the Right Direction

Just one-in-four Likely U.S. Voters (25%) think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending November 17.

This marks little change from the previous two weeks when 24% felt the country was headed the right way. Still, it's an improvement from early last month when confidence in the country’s course fell to 13% during the partial federal government shutdown. It was the lowest finding in five years. The week before Election Day a year ago, 43% 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 November 11-17, 2013. 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.

November 20, 2013

What America Thinks: 33% Consider Manned Space Program JFK’s Greatest Achievement

This Friday marks the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and Rasmussen Reports asked Americans to consider the iconic president's legacy. Kennedy is still viewed favorably by an overwhelming majority of Americans, but those who were alive during his presidency hold him in even higher regard. Perhaps even more interesting is how Americans rank his achievements.

November 20, 2013

9% Have Already Finished Their Holiday Shopping

Black Friday is more than a week away, but a sizable number of Americans have already started their holiday gift shopping. A growing number are doing so through online vendors.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 37% of American Adults have started their holiday shopping. That’s up from 32% last year at this time but is more in line with prior years. Sixty-one percent (61%) have not yet begun to shop. (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 18-19, 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.

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November 20, 2013

A Devastating Poll on Obama -- and Obamacare By Michael Barone

"The Affordable Care Act's political position has deteriorated dramatically over the last week." That, coming from longtime Obamacare cheerleader and Washington Post blogger Ezra Klein, was pretty strong language. And it was only Wednesday.   

November 20, 2013

43% Trust GOP More on Health Care, 39% Democrats

Voters are expressing slightly more confidence in Republicans these days when it comes to health care.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters now trust the GOP more to handle health care. Thirty-nine percent (39%) trust Democrats more. In September, the two were essentially tied, with Republicans posting a 43% to 42% lead. (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 17-18, 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.

November 19, 2013

56% See More Grown Children Living With Parents As Bad for Economy

Fewer Americans know families who have grown children living at home these days, but most still view this practice as a negative for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 77% of American Adults believe it is more common now for grown children to live with their parents than it was 20 years ago. That’s down from 86% in November 2011. Just nine percent (9%) don’t think this practice is more common, while 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 16-17, 2011 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, 2013

42% Are Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down

As the country awaits the likely confirmation of Janet Yellen as the new Federal Reserve Board chairman, confidence in the Fed’s ability to control interest rates and inflation remains low. But Americans are less pessimistic about rising grocery prices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep interest rates down and inflation under control, but that includes just 11% who are Very Confident. Fifty-two percent (52%) lack that confidence, with 18% who are Not Confident At All. (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 14-15, 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.

November 19, 2013

Voters Strongly Defend Their Basic Freedoms But See Government As A Threat

Voters continue to adamantly defend their constitutional freedoms, and most still consider the federal government a threat to those rights.

Just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters view the government today as a protector of individual rights, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-five percent (55%) think the government is a threat to their rights. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 17-18, 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.

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November 19, 2013

Calm in the Health Care Storm By Froma Harrop

The bungled launch of the federal health insurance website has unleashed significant disorder -- but not everywhere. Life remains calm in many states that set up their own health care exchanges.

Some are so confident of the rightness of the health care reforms that they're rejecting President Obama's proposal to let people keep their inadequate health insurance policies.

November 19, 2013

39% Think Auto Bailouts Were Good for U.S.

The number of voters who believe the federal government bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler were good for the United States has reached an all-time low, and more than ever consider those bailouts a failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the auto industry bailouts were good for the country, the first time that number has fallen below 40% in regular surveying for the past two years. Slightly more (43%) say the bailouts were bad for the United States, while 18% 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 15-16, 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.

November 18, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Have the woes of Obamacare trumped the government shutdown? Republicans have rebounded from a seven-point deficit a month ago to take a one-point lead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 17.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows 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 39% 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 November 11-17, 2013. 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 18, 2013

52% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the stability of U.S. banks is over 50% for the fourth time this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 11% who are Very Confident. Forty-three percent (43%) don’t share that confidence, with 13% 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 Adults was conducted on November 14-15, 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.