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October 23, 2013

36% Think U.S., Allies Winning War on Terror

Confidence in the U.S. fight against terrorism continues to fall as the number of voters who believe the United States is too involved in the Middle East grows. But voters still consider economic threats to be more of a danger than terrorist attacks.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-six percent (26%) say the terrorists are winning, while 30% think neither side is. (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 16-17, 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 22, 2013

56% Think 16 Is Too Young to Drive

Most adults think someone should be older than 16 before they are eligible for a driver's license. Most also favor annual driving tests once someone reaches the age of 75. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that four percent (4%) think someone should be allowed to get a driver’s license at age 15, while 38% feel 16 is the appropriate age. But 56% believe the eligibility age should be higher, with 20% who say 17, 32% who favor 18 and four percent (4%) who prefer 21. (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 October 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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October 22, 2013

5% Think Feds Very Likely to Seal Border if New Immigration Law Passes

Most voters continue to put more border control first in any immigration reform plan, but fewer than ever trust the federal government to actually control the border if a new plan is passed. Voters also lean toward a go-slow piece-by-piece approach to immigration reform over a comprehensive bill.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is even somewhat likely that the federal government will actually secure the border and prevent illegal immigration if that’s part of new immigration legislation. Sixty-five percent (65%) consider it unlikely. This includes only five percent (5%) who say the government is Very Likely to secure the border if it’s part of legislation that would give legal status to those already here illegally and 24% who feel it’s Not At All Likely. (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 20-21, 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 22, 2013

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 50%, Cuccinelli (R) 33%, Sarvis (L) 8%

Democrat Terry McAuliffe has jumped to a 17-point lead over Republican Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia gubernatorial race following the federal government shutdown that hit Northern Virginia hard and Hillary Clinton’s weekend visit to the state.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds McAuliffe with 50% support to Cuccinelli’s 33%. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis is a distant third with eight percent (8%) of the vote. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, while five percent (5%) 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 1,000 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on October 20, 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.

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October 22, 2013

Unions Turn on Obamacare, but Don't Call Them Hypocrites By Michael Barone

It's not just Republicans who are unhappy with Obamacare. Labor union leaders have been complaining too.

In July, the presidents of the Teamsters, United Food Commercial Workers union and UNITE-HERE (combined membership: 2.9 million) wrote a letter to congressional Democrats saying that Obamacare will "destroy the very health and well-being of our members along with millions of other working Americans."

October 22, 2013

32% Still Believe U.S. Society Unfair, Discriminatory

One-third of voters maintain their belief that American society isn't fair -- tying the highest level of pessimism in over six years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider American society generally fair and decent.  That is in line with July’s numbers and up only slightly from a recent low of 55% in August of last year.  Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think American society is generally unfair and discriminatory. That's unchanged from the previous survey which marked the highest negative view since late July 2007. (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 telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 14-15, 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.

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October 22, 2013

California Conquers Partisan Chaos By Froma Harrop

California has found a formula for ending the partisan warfare that once paralyzed its government: Get rid of one of the parties, in this case, the Republican. The state's famously dysfunctional government now hums with calm efficiency.

Democrats there hold a supermajority in the state Legislature, making it well-nigh impossible for Republicans to gum up their plans. The governor, Jerry Brown, is a Democrat, as well.

October 21, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 36%

For the second week in a row, Democrats lead Republicans by seven points on the Generic Congressional Ballot. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, October 20, shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 36% would choose the Republican 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 October 14-20, 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.

October 21, 2013

26% Expect a Cure for Cancer In the Next 10 Years

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and only one-in-four adults think a cure is right around the corner. Over half have contributed to the fight. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of American Adults think we will find a cure for cancer within the next 10 years. Forty percent (40%) do not expect a cancer cure that soon. But a sizable 34% 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 national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 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.

October 21, 2013

51% Say Government Shutdown Had Some Personal Impact on Them, 46% Say None

In the aftermath of the partial government shutdown that ended last week, voters’ expectations of its personal and economic impact were mostly in line with reality.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the government shutdown had some impact on their personal lives, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes 40% who say the shutdown had a minor personal impact and just 11% who say it had a major one. Forty-six percent (46%) say the shutdown did not personally impact them 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 Likely Voters was conducted on October 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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October 21, 2013

Peterson Study: Tea Party Extremism Cost Millions of Jobs, Risks Millions More By Joe Conason

If Americans learn anything from this month's shutdown-and-debt-ceiling debacle, they ought to realize that political extremism brings real costs -- denominated in dollars and jobs, as well as national cohesion and prestige -- and that those costs are not small. As long as the tea party faction continues to wield its malign influence over the Republican leadership in Congress, the threat of further and even worse damage will not subside.

October 21, 2013

46% View Obamacare Favorably, 48% Unfavorably

Voters are almost evenly divided in their views of the national health care law for the first time since the beginning of the year, although just over half still expect it to increase health care costs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Obamacare, while only slightly more (48%) view it at least somewhat unfavorably. The passion is still on the side of the opponents, though: The new findings include 19% with a Very Favorable view of the law, while 37% have 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 October 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.

October 20, 2013

51% Say Buying a Home is Best Investment for Families

More Americans now believe buying a home is a good investment, but belief that now is a good time to sell a home is down from its recent high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. That's up slightly from the past few months but in line with findings in regular surveys earlier this year and throughout 2012. An all-time high of 67% felt that way in May 2009. Just 22% now feel a home is not a family's best investment, while 27% 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 October 13-14, 2013 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

October 19, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending October 18, 2013

Americans paint a pretty gloomy picture of the present and the future these days, but the housing market offers a glimmer of hope.

Just 13% of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction. That's down 15 points from two weeks ago and the lowest finding in five years.

Over half (52%) say America’s best days are in the past, the highest level of pessimism since December 2011. 

October 18, 2013

43% Know Someone Who Joined Military To Get A Job

More Americans know someone who has joined the military because they needed a job, but fewer think veterans are receiving the appropriate benefits for their service.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults now say they know someone who has joined the military because of the bad job market. That's up four points from 39% in January 2012. (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 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.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

October 18, 2013

52% Now Say America's Best Days Are in the Past

Americans are more pessimistic about the nation's future than they have been in over two years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters think America’s best days are still to come, down from a recent high of 47% last September and the lowest level of optimism since April 2011. Just over half (52%) think the nation’s best days are in the past. That's the highest finding since December 2011. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 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.

October 18, 2013

53% Still Don’t Trust Feds to Keep NSA Surveillance Legal

Voters remain skeptical of the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance programs, but most agree that the continued disclosure of details about these programs is probably bad for national security.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor the NSA’s tracking of the telephone calls and e-mails of millions of Americans as part of the effort to fight terrorism, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 16-17, 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 18, 2013

What if Obamacare Software Crashes and Burns? By Michael Barone

Amid all the tussling over the government shutdown and the debt ceiling, a couple of bombshells went off in the blogosphere that may prove of more enduring importance.

October 18, 2013

44% Give Obama Positive Marks on Health Care, 47% Poor

With funding for the new health care law the focus of the government shutdown and the law's health insurance exchanges stumbling into existence, President Obama's positives - and negatives - have jumped when it comes to his handling of the health care issue.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Obama's performance in this area as good or excellent, up nine points from 35% last month but in line with most previous surveys this year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that slightly more (47%) give the president poor marks for his handling of health care. That's an eight-point increase from September and a high for the year to date. (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 12-13, 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 17, 2013

56% Feel Americans Less Tolerant of Others’ Political Views

Given the anger over the political stalemate of the past few weeks, it’s not surprising that most Americans believe their fellow citizens are less tolerant of others’ political views these days. But what is surprising is that fewer Americans than ever feel this way.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of American Adults still believe their fellow citizens are less tolerant of other people’s political opinions than they were in the past, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that’s down 15 points from last October  and the lowest finding in surveying since 2010. Just 17% believe Americans have grown more tolerant of others’ political views, a finding that has changed little over the years. Twenty-three percent (23%) believe the level of tolerance 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 11-12, 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.

 

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

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