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                            December 12, 201314% View Education Secretary Arne Duncan Favorably
Arne Duncan is President Obama’s point man for the controversial Common Core national education standards being imposed on schools all over the country, but he remains largely unknown to voters after nearly five years of serving as the U.S. secretary of Education.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Duncan, while 16% view him unfavorably. This includes four percent (4%) with a Very Favorable regard for the former chief executive officer of the Chicago school system and six percent (6%) with a Very Unfavorable one. But 63% say they have never heard of Duncan, while another eight percent (8%) 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 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 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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                            December 11, 201328% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-eight percent (28%) 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 December 8.
That's up three points from 25% the previous week and the highest level of confidence since late September. In early October during the federal government shutdown, confidence in the country’s course fell to 13%, the lowest finding in five years. 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 December 2-8, 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. 

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                            December 11, 201375% Think Christmas Should Be Celebrated in Public Schools
Despite school administrators’ concerns nationwide, Americans strongly believe that Christmas should be a part of public schools. They feel just as strongly that religious symbols should be allowed on public property.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of American Adults think Christmas should be celebrated in public schools, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 15% disagree, while 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 December 9-10, 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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                            December 11, 201341% Think U.S. Environment Is Getting Worse
Americans remain very positive about the water they drink and the air they breathe, but a sizable number still believes the overall environment in this country is getting worse. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 47% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the overall quality of the environment in the United States as good or excellent, down slightly from May. Just 13% think the environment is poor. (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 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 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.
December 11, 2013Celebrity Hypocrites By John Stossel
I'm annoyed that so many Hollywood celebrities hate the system that made them rich.
Actor/comedian Russell Brand told the BBC he wants "a socialist, egalitarian system based on the massive redistribution of wealth."
Director George Lucas got rich not just from movies but also by selling Star Wars merchandise. Yet he says he believes in democracy but "not capitalist democracy."
Actor Martin Sheen says, "That's where the problem lies ... It's corporate America."

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                            December 10, 201356% See Pope Francis As Good PR for the Catholic Church
Most Americans, especially Catholics, have a favorable opinion of Pope Francis, and believe he’s improved public perceptions of the Catholic Church. But while many Catholics agree he shares their general views and values, those of other faiths are not so sure.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults view Pope Francis at least somewhat favorably, including 29% who view him Very Favorably. Just 12% share an unfavorable opinion of the pope whose papacy began in March, including three percent (3%) who view him Very Unfavorably. Nine percent (9%) have never heard of Pope Francis, with another 17% 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 American Adults was conducted on December 5-6, 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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                            December 10, 201375% Favor Raising Minimum Wage to $10.10 An Hour or More
Most Americans favor raising the minimum wage but are almost evenly divided over whether that will help or hurt the economy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults are in favor of raising the minimum wage from its current level of $7.25. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed, while 11% remain undecided. This is comparable to findings in February when President Obama first proposed raising the minimum wage to $9 an hour. (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 December 5-6, 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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                            December 10, 201360% Think U.S. Not Aggressive Enough In Deporting Illegal Immigrants
More than 20 House Democrats last week urged President Obama to halt the deportation of illegal immigrants until Congress passes a comprehensive immigration reform plan, but voters by a two-to-one margin oppose that idea. Most already think the federal government is not vigilant enough in deporting those who are in this country illegally.
Only 29% of Likely U.S. Voters think the government should stop deporting illegal immigrants until Congress passes an immigration reform plan. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% oppose a halt to deportations. 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 December 8-9, 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.
December 10, 2013About That Biden 'Gaffe' in Tokyo By Froma Harrop
We know that about 20,000 pseudo-, semi- and real journalists "cover" Washington. We know that mid-December is slow-time in the nation's capital as the public turns its attention to the holidays. But big news or no, the scriveners tending political websites must still, as they say, "feed the beast" and take it out for a walk three times a day.
December 10, 2013Obama Abandons Friends Abroad in Hopes of Appeasing Foes by Michael Barone
Watching the twists and turns of American foreign policy while reading Christopher Clark's The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 is an unnerving experience.
Clark's history, unlike many on the outbreak of World War I, starts not with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in June 1914, but a dozen or so years earlier. He examines the muddled internal politics behind the foreign policies of major and minor powers -- and how often they were incomprehensible to each other.
COPYRIGHT 2013 THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
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                            December 10, 2013A Year After Newtown, Just 31% Think More Gun Control Likely
A year after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, far fewer adults expect more gun control.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of American Adults now think it is at least somewhat likely that Congress and the president will create tougher gun control laws, with 12% who think it’s Very Likely. Fifty-nine percent (59%) say stricter gun control is unlikely, including 17% who say 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 7-8, 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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                            December 9, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 38%
Republicans still hold a five-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 8.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% 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 December 2-8, 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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                            December 9, 201354% Think More Focus on Mental Health Issues Will Prevent Future Newtown Incidents
One year after the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, more Americans than ever believe tackling mental health issues is the best way to prevent such mass murders.A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults think more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to help reduce the number of mass shootings like the one in Connecticut. That's up six points from 48% in mid-December of last year.  Twenty-three percent (23%) believe stricter gun control laws will do the most, down from 27% a year ago, while 12% call first for limits on violent movies and video games. 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 Twitter or Facebook.
The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 7-8, 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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                            December 9, 201366% Think Long-Term Budget Deal to Avoid Another Shutdown Is Unlikely
Both sides insist a budget deal is near that will avoid another federal government shutdown, but most voters still want budget cuts and remain skeptical that such a deal is coming.
Just 12% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a federal budget that increases government spending, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-six percent (56%) prefer a long-term budget deal that cuts spending instead. Twenty-five percent (25%) want to keep federal spending 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 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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                            December 9, 2013Support for Government Health Insurance Requirements Is Down to 33%
Strong negative opinions of the new health care law are at their highest yet as opposition to the government requiring every insurance plan to cover the exact same set of medical procedures grows. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 56% view it at least somewhat unfavorably. The passion remains on the side of the opponents. The new findings include 19% with a Very Favorable view of the law, while 47% 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 December 6-7, 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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                            December 8, 201361% Expect Government Spending To Rise Under Obama
Belief that federal spending will go up under President Obama is at its highest level in three years, but most voters continue to think cuts in government spending are better for the economy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters now expect government spending to rise under Obama. That's the highest finding on this question since November 2010. Just 14% think spending will go down. Twenty-one percent (21%) predict it will stay 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 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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                            December 7, 2013What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 7, 2013
President Obama got some good late-week news with the drop of the unemployment rate to a five-year low and better-than-projected economic growth in the third quarter. It remains to be seen whether these trends continue and offset the damage done by Obamacare’s disastrous debut.
December 6, 2013Consumer Finance Needs Better Morals by Froma Harrop
Drawing moral lines in our rough-and-tumble capitalist system can be hard. But it should not tax too many ethical muscles to set aside some protections for trusting, unsophisticated borrowers of modest means. That is, unless you're a politician working on behalf of predatory lenders.
And it's amazing how many politicians do, making the recent successes of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau seem all the more miraculous. The CFPB was created in 2010 to set rules of the road for consumer financial products -- mortgages, student loans, payday loans and such.
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 2013 CREATORS.COM

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                            December 6, 201366% Prefer ‘Merry Christmas’ Over ‘Happy Holidays’
Most Americans still prefer signs in stores that say "Merry Christmas" rather than ones with "Happy Holidays."
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults prefer Merry Christmas. Just 21% like Happy Holidays instead. 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 1000 American Adults was conducted on December 1-2, 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.

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                            December 6, 201334% Think Gays Good for Military, 31% Disagree
Most voters believe the U.S. military is the best, but they are closely divided over the impact of letting gays and lesbians serve openly in America's armed services.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States has the best military in the world. Just 13% disagree, and 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 December 2-3, 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.