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November 1, 2013

40% Say Sebelius Should Be Fired or Resign, 41% Disagree

Voters overwhelmingly want to scrap or change the new national health care law but are evenly divided over whether Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should lose her job because of the law's troubled debut.

Forty percent (40%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe Sebelius should be fired or resign because of the problems now being experienced with the new health care law. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% disagree and say Sebelius should not leave her job due to these problems. Nineteen percent (19%) more 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 October 30-31, 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 1, 2013

The Problem With Twitter by Froma Harrop

Jofi Joseph was a smart guy -- up to a point. He rose smoothly through the foreign affairs establishment, boosted by a fancy fellowship and political connections. He ended up a staff member on the National Security Council.

But he led a second life on Twitter, using the handle @NatSecWonk to post snide comments about national security leaders. His droppings included such juvenile sexism as, "What's with the dominatrix-like black suit (national security adviser) Susan Rice is wearing at this announcement?" And sophomoric snark: "When was the last time (deputy national security adviser) Ben Rhodes said something not painfully banal and obvious?"

November 1, 2013

Most Voters See Economy As Unfair to Small Business, Hard Workers

Just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to small business owners, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 

Fifty-one percent (51%) consider the economy unfair to those who own small businesses. That's up from 47% in June and the first time this finding has crossed 50% in regular surveying all 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 October 28-29, 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

October 31, 2013

24% Say Stock Market Will Be Stronger in a Year

Few Americans believe the stock market will be higher in the near future. A plurality also still thinks housing prices will take more than three years to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 24% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher than it is a year from now. Just as many (23%) believe the market will be lower. Thirty-six percent (36%) think it will be about the same. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see 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 American Adults was conducted on October 25-26, 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

October 31, 2013

25% Believe in Ghosts

This Halloween, one-in-four Americans is wary of a mysterious looming presence, and it’s not the NSA.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults believe in ghosts. Sixty-five percent (65%) don’t, but another 10% 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 Adults was conducted on October 27-28, 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.

October 31, 2013

37% Say Zombies Would Do Better Job Than Federal Gov't, 37% Opt for Feds

It’s not exactly a vote of confidence in the powers that be: A sizable number of Americans think the undead would do a better job than the brain dead in Washington, D.C. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults believe the federal government would do a better job than zombies running the country today. But the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Americans don’t share that view, with just as many (37%) who feel zombies would do a better job running the country and another 26% who can’t decide between the two. (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 29-30, 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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October 31, 2013

End the Fed by John Stossel

I've always avoided reporting on the Federal Reserve. I know it's more important than much of the stuff I cover, but it's so boring. How can I succeed on TV reporting on the Fed? Fed chairs even work at being dull.

Alan Greenspan said he tried to be obscure because he didn't want to spook markets. He called his obfuscation "Fedspeak." It's a far cry from the clarity of his language -- and principles -- when he was young and a disciple of libertarian Ayn Rand.
John Stossel is host of "Stossel" on the Fox Business Network, and 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

October 31, 2013

61% Say Halloween is For Both Adults and Kids

Even though most adults aren’t dressing up for Halloween, they still don’t think the kids should have all the fun.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just one-third (33%) of American Adults think Halloween is just for kids, while 61% think it’s for both adults and children. That’s up from last year when just 50% said it was for both adults and kids. (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 27-28, 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.

October 30, 2013

25% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

The number of U.S. voters who feel the country is heading in the right direction has risen above 20% for the first time since the week before the partial government shutdown began on October 1.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending October 27. That's an eight-point jump from 17% the week before but still well below the high of 43% the week before Election Day a year ago.

(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 October 21-27, 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.

October 30, 2013

63% Think Kids Should be Allowed to Wear Halloween Costumes, Bring Candy to School

Let them eat cake - or candy, to be more precise. Some public schools no longer permit students to wear Halloween costumes or bring Halloween candy to school, but 63% of American Adults think both should be allowed. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% do not think students should be allowed to do either. Ten percent (10%) are not sure whether costumes should be allowed, and 11% are not sure if kids should be able to bring in candy. (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 27-28, 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.

October 30, 2013

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 43%, Cuccinelli (R) 36%, Sarvis (L) 12%

With less than a week to go until Election Day, Democrat Terry McAuliffe has a seven-point lead over Republican Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Virginia shows McAuliffe with 43% support to Cuccinelli’s 36%. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis draws his highest level of support yet with 12%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) remain 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 1,002 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on October 28-29, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

October 30, 2013

43% Think Benghazi Will Hurt Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy in 2016

As CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes” program highlighted Sunday evening, serious questions remain about the murder a year ago of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and a sizable number of voters think that incident will hurt Hillary Clinton’s chances for the presidency.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only four percent (4%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the circumstances surrounding the murder of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya will help Clinton’s candidacy.  Forty-three percent (43%) think those circumstances will hurt the former secretary of State if she runs for the presidency in 2016, but nearly as many (41%) say they will have no impact. Twelve percent (12%) 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 28-29, 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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October 30, 2013

Dracula Style By Froma Harrop

Dracula sets the bar high for timeless style. His refined silhouette and eclectic tastes make him an internationally recognizable figure. Fashion writers shifting and swerving through constant change still freeze in the vampire's presence. Some cultural figures, like Audrey, like Cary, like Jackie, create a signature look defying the march of trends. Dracula is one such fashion icon for the ages.

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October 30, 2013

Will the Christie Juggernaut Roll over Ted Cruz and Rand Paul? By Joe Conason

With his impending re-election in "Blue Jersey" evidently assured and his national profile rising, Chris Christie is a formidable presidential hopeful. If not always a voice of reason, the blustering governor usually sounds sane in a Republican Party where conspiracy, paranoia and extremism reign. His decision to abandon the state's legal appeal against gay marriage exemplified the canny pragmatism that worries Democratic strategists looking forward to 2016.

October 30, 2013

47% Say It’s Possible For Anyone to Find Work, 42% Disagree

Pessimism about the current job market has risen again this month, but Americans are showing a bit more confidence in the ability to get rich through hard work.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of American Adults now believe it’s possible for anyone in this country looking for work to find a job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This marks the first time this figure has fallen below 50% since March. Forty-two percent (42%) say it’s not possible for anyone to find work, tying the highest level of pessimism since September 2011. Eleven percent (11%) 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 American Adults was conducted on October 25-26, 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.

October 29, 2013

41% Say Economy Will Be Weaker in a Year, 33% Say Stronger

Americans remain pessimistic about the economy's recovery over the next year but continue to have slightly higher hopes for five years from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults believe the U.S. economy will be stronger in a year's time, consistent with findings for the past year. But 41% think the economy will be weaker a year from now, also showing little change over the past few months but down from a recent high of 50% in November 2012. Nineteen percent (19%) expect the economy to remain 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 25-26, 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. 

October 29, 2013

64% View Federal Government Unfavorably

Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable view of the federal government, but that includes just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable one. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% regard the federal government unfavorably, with 34% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The overall findings are unchanged from November of last year, but the number of voters with a Very Unfavorable view of the government has risen six points from 28% at that time.

(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 October 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.

October 29, 2013

42% Identify with Obama Politically, 42% with the Tea Party

Voters are evenly divided when asked whether they agree more politically with President Obama or with the average member of the Tea Party. But an enormous partisan gap colors virtually all opinions of the Tea Party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president’s views are closest to their own when it comes to the major issues facing the country. But just as many (42%) say their views come closest to those of the average Tea Party member instead. 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 26-27, 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.

October 29, 2013

33% Say Financial Industry Bailouts Good for U.S.

Five years after the Wall Street meltdown, nearly half of voters still believe the government bailouts of the financial industry were a bad move, while one-in-three think they were a good idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the government bailouts of the financial sector were good for America. Forty-eight percent (48%) say they were bad for the country. Eighteen percent (18%) 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 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.

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October 29, 2013

Little Wars Turn Messy Because of Politics on the Ground - A Commentary by Michael Barone

"The examination of war from an exclusively military perspective, isolated from its social and political context, leads to false conclusions and poor strategy."

That is the conclusion of Emile Simpson, a former infantry officer in the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan, in his book, War From the Ground Up.