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                            October 2, 2013Just 12% Think Most Americans Are Informed Voters
Most Americans consider themselves informed citizens but don’t express the same confidence in the greater U.S. population. Far fewer think their fellow citizens are informed voters.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 83% of American Adults consider themselves to be informed citizens. Just 12% admit they are not informed citizens. (To see survey question wording, click here).
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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

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                            October 2, 201359% Believe Voter ID Laws Do Not Discriminate
The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday that it is challenging North Carolina's new voter ID law on the grounds that it is racially discriminatory. But voters nationwide continue to strongly support laws that require proof of identity before voting and don't believe they discriminate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 70% of Likely U.S. Voters believe all voters should be required to prove their identity before being allowed to vote. Only 25% oppose such a requirement. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 30-October 1, 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 2, 2013If Only Obamacare Had Been Passed With Careful Deliberation By Michael Barone
Many Democrats are genuinely puzzled about Republicans' continuing opposition to Obamacare. It is the law of the land, these Democrats say. Critics should accept it, as critics accepted Medicare.   
October 2, 2013Escaping 'Government' Schools By John Stossel
People say public schools are "one of the best parts of America". I believed that. Then I started reporting on them.
Now I know that public school -- government school is a better name -- is one of the worst parts of America. It's a stultified government monopoly. It never improves.
Most services improve. They get faster, better, cheaper. But not government monopolies. Government schools are rigid, boring, expensive and more segregated than private schools.

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                            October 2, 2013President Obama’s Full-Month Approval Rating Up One in September
When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.
The president’s total job approval inched up a point to 48% in September, his highest rating since May.  Still, that’s down eight points from December’s high of 56%. The president’s ratings for the past four months are more in line with his approval during most of his first term in office.
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                            October 1, 201334% Rate Obama Good or Excellent on Gun Control
Fewer voters than ever give President Obama positive ratings on gun control-related issues.
Just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the president’s handling of issues related to gun control as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down from a high of 45% in April. Forty-two percent (42%) give Obama poor marks for his performance in this area. Since the beginning of the year, his poor rating has ranged from a low of 34% to a high of 46%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

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                            October 1, 2013Rasmussen Employment Index Falls to 2013 Low
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence fell four points in September to the lowest level this year.
At 82.0, worker confidence is down 12 points from this year’s high of 94.4 in May and is at the lowest level measured since last November.  Still, the latest finding is up from 76.6 found this time last year.
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The survey of 9,452 working Americans was conducted in September 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 1, 201357% Support Building Keystone Pipeline
The Keystone XL pipeline that would run from Canada to Texas has already been mentioned as a potential bargaining chip in upcoming debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, as voter support for building the pipeline remains strong. However, belief that the structure can be built without significant environmental damage has softened a bit.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely Voters nationwide favor building the Keystone XL pipeline, including 35% who Strongly Favor. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 29% oppose building the pipeline, with 14% who Strongly Oppose. Another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
(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 Voters was conducted on September 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 1, 2013The Sports Cable Rip-off By Froma Harrop
Not long ago, an important New England Patriots game failed to appear on my cable lineup. There was a way to pay extra for it, but the heck with that.   

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                            October 1, 201341% Look at U.S. Political News First, 30% Go Local
Americans still get most of their news from television and are most interested in what is going on nationally, with an emphasis on politics.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults say they get most of their news from TV, while 30% rely most heavily on the Internet. Just 10% count on radio for the majority of their news, and eight percent (8%) look to newspapers. One percent (1%) each get most of their news from social media or from family and friends. Two percent (2%) cite other sources. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer:  A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
(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 September 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.

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                            September 30, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 42%, Republicans 38%
Democrats have extended their lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot as the deadline for a federal government shutdown approaches.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending September 29 shows that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.
Special offer:  A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 23-29, 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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                            September 30, 201357% of Republicans View Ted Cruz Favorably
Freshman Senator Ted Cruz of Texas may not be popular with the Republican establishment following his 21-hour Senate floor speech against the president’s health care law last week, but he’s a favorite of most GOP voters.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely Republican Voters have a favorable opinion of Cruz, including 30% who view the senator Very Favorably. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 19% of Republicans view Cruz unfavorably, with seven percent (7%) who view him Very Unfavorably. Another 16% of GOP voters have never heard of him. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
(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 September 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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                            September 30, 2013Support for Government Shutdown Drops from 53% to 45%
Most voters still think a federal government shutdown would be bad for the economy, and support for a shutdown to force budget cuts has fallen several points. Voters are now evenly divided over whether they want to risk a shutdown to cut federal spending.
Two weeks ago, 53% of Likely U.S. Voters said they’d rather have a partial government shutdown until Democrats and Republicans can agree on what spending to cut, while 37% said they’d rather avoid a shutdown by authorizing spending at existing levels. Now, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% favor a shutdown until spending cuts are agreed on, and 46% want to move ahead with spending at existing levels. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer : A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
(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 September 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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                            September 30, 201350% Oppose Health Care Law’s Individual Mandate, 36% Favor
One-out-of-two U.S. voters continues to oppose the national health care law’s requirement that every American have health insurance. Most also still don’t know if their state has a health care exchange even though those exchanges are scheduled to start signing up insurance applicants beginning tomorrow.
Thirty-six percent (36%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the government should require every American to buy or obtain health insurance, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty percent (50%) disagree and oppose the so-called individual mandate. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer : A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
(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 September 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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                            September 29, 201331% Have Had a Lost Wallet Returned to Them
Most Americans believe honesty is the best policy when they find a lost wallet or get extra change at the store but few have been on the receiving end of such honesty.
Seventy-one percent (71%) of American Adults say they have returned a lost wallet that they have found, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Eighteen percent (18%) admit they have not done so, while 11% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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                            September 28, 201360% Think Supreme Court Justices Have Political Agenda
Most Americans continue to believe the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court let their own political beliefs guide their decisions.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely Voters say most Supreme Court justices have their own political agenda.  Twenty-two percent (22%) disagree and say they generally remain impartial.  Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)  
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 22-23, 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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                            September 28, 2013What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending September 27, 2013
One Democratic senator said Friday that national politics have reached a dangerous level not seen since the Civil War. Maybe it’s no surprise then that nearly one-out-of-five voters are talking secession.

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                            September 27, 2013Voters Think Obama More Hostile to Small Businesses Than to Big Ones
Voters continue to think President Obama is more hostile to small business than he is to big business. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters feel Obama’s policies toward small businesses are too hostile. That's down from 51% a month ago which marked the first time that finding topped 50% but more in line with findings earlier this year.  Just three percent (3%) think his policies are too friendly toward small businesses. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say his policies in this area about right, up from a low of 35%. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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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                            September 27, 201370% Think Americans Less Honest Than They Used To Be
Americans are a bit less trusting of each other these days.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of American Adults believe most of their fellow countrymen are basically honest, but that’s down from 58% in August of last year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% think most Americans are not basically honest, while 19% are not sure. (To see survey question wording,click here.)
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 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.

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                            September 27, 201325% Favor D.C. Statehood
Few Americans think it would be good for the country if there were more states, and most still agree that Washington, D.C. shouldn't be one of them. Support for making Puerto Rico a state isn't much higher. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 12% of American Adults think it would be good for the United States to add more states. A plurality (44%) believes it would be bad for the country, while 24% think it would have no impact. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special offer: A Rasmussen Reader subscription that lasts through December 31, 2014 is now just $24.95. Sign up today!
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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 23-24, 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.