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September 23, 2013

84% Think Most Major News Organizations More Concerned With Speed Than Accuracy

Americans strongly believe that news outlets should be more concerned with getting stories right than getting them first but feel it works the opposite way in most cases. An overwhelming 86% of American Adults believe that when it comes to reporting of news events, it is more important for the media to get the story right than to get it first. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) believe it’s more important for the news media to get the story first instead. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 21-22, 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.

September 23, 2013

Most Still Favor Stricter Controls on Coal Plants Despite Higher Energy Costs

Most voters agree with the Obama administration’s decision to go ahead with tougher controls on coal plant emissions even though they recognize it will drive up energy costs. A sizable number, however, overestimate the importance of coal to the production of electricity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters favor new environmental regulations to place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed, while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

September 23, 2013

30% Think Obamacare Will Improve U.S. Health Care System

As Congress debates the fate of President Obama’s national health care law, just over half of voters continue to believe the law will worsen the U.S. health care system, but they are slightly more optimistic than they’ve been all year.

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the nation’s health care system will get better under the new law, up eight points from 22% a month ago and the most positive assessment to date. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% still think the law will make the health care system worse, but that’s the lowest level of pessimism since February. Eleven percent (11%) expect things to remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

September 22, 2013

“Breaking Bad”, “Big Bang Theory” Lead Emmy Pack, But Most Won't Follow

Interest in tonight’s Primetime Emmy Awards is low among most Americans, but they do give a slight edge to an acclaimed series that is nearing the end of its run. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Americans are at least somewhat likely to follow the Emmy awards either on television or online, with seven percent (7%) who are Very Likely to do so. Three-out-of-four adults (74%) say it’s not likely they’ll be following the awards show, with 40% who are Not At All Likely to follow. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

September 21, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Ending Week September 21, 2013

Put your money where your mouth is. That seems to be what many congressional Republicans are counting on in the coming days.

September 20, 2013

On Health Care, 43% Trust GOP More, 42% Democrats

While some Republicans in Congress hope to stop President Obama’s national health care law by defunding it, voters are evenly divided over which political party they trust more to handle health care.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Republicans more to handle issues related to health care, but just as many (42%) trust Democrats more. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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

September 20, 2013

DC Mass Shooting Prompts Surprising Gun Control Reactions

Americans have strong reactions following the terrible mass shooting at the Washington, DC Navy Yard on Monday – but not necessarily in the way you might think …

September 20, 2013

Voters Question Fed’s Independence

With a change of leadership pending, voters remain skeptical of the Federal Reserve’s independence and continue to think the nation’s central bank is overly influenced by the president and big bankers.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the Federal Reserve, while 48% view it unfavorably, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 11% with a Very Favorable opinion and 19% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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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September 20, 2013

Democrats no Longer Following Obama's Agenda By Michael Barone

Presidents tend to set the agenda for their parties. Most of the party's members of Congress tend to go along.   

September 20, 2013

54% Think Media Cover Mass Shootings Too Much

Most Americans think the media overdo it when it comes to coverage of shooting incidents like the one Monday at the Washington Navy Yard.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults believe the media offer too much coverage of mass shootings like the one in Washington, DC. Just five percent (5%) think the media do not cover these incidents enough. Thirty-six percent (36%) rate the level of coverage about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 17-18, 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.

September 19, 2013

58% Expect Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Most Americans continue to expect higher interest rates in a year’s time, while the number already paying higher rates remains at a high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults think interest rates will be higher in a year. That’s up two points from August and 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 stayed in the 40s over the past couple years. 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 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

September 19, 2013

62% Don't Trust Government to Fairly Enforce Gun Control Laws

Americans strongly believe it is not possible to entirely prevent mass shootings like the one in Washington, DC on Monday but think help for the mentally ill will do much more than gun control to reduce the number of incidents of this kind. Perhaps in part that's because most do not trust the government to fairly enforce gun control laws.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 16% of American Adults think it is possible to completely prevent mass shootings like the one in Washington. Seventy-one percent (71%) say it is not possible to fully stop shootings like this. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 17-18, 2012 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.

September 19, 2013

33% Think Stricter Gun Laws Might Have Prevented Navy Yard Shooting

Despite the horrific mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, support for more gun control has fallen to its lowest level in over a year. Most Americans don't think tougher gun control would have prevented this week's killings anyway. 

Just 33% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat likely that stricter gun control laws would have prevented the mass shooting in Washington, DC, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 15% who say it is Very Likely stricter laws would have prevented the tragedy. Fifty-nine percent (59%) think it’s unlikely tougher gun laws would have prevented the shooting, including 26% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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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September 19, 2013

Violence in Our Air By Froma Harrop

To the rising pile of shooting rampages, Americans can now add the rapid-fire murder of 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. It is a sign of our remarkable times that this horrid deed seems to pale next to the massacre of 20 schoolchildren in suburban Connecticut last December.

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September 19, 2013

Make Trade, Not War By John Stossel

What's up with so many Democrats wanting missile strikes on Syria, while Republicans balk? I'm told Republicans are the war party.  

September 19, 2013

41% Favor Raising Eligibility Age To Keep Medicare Solvent

Voters still aren't very confident that they will get all their Medicare benefits, and a plurality favors raising the eligibility age to keep the program running for future generations.

Just 39% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Medicare system will pay them all promised benefits during their lifetime, including 12% who are Very Confident. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% are not confident the government health insurance program for the elderly will pay them all their promised benefits, with 26% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

September 18, 2013

30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the third week in a row, 30% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey for the week ending September 15.

Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week before Election Day. It fell steadily after that to a low for the year to date of 26% in mid- to late July.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 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.

September 18, 2013

New High: 39% Say Now Is A Good Time To Sell A House

While only half of Americans continue to think purchasing a home is a family’s best investment, more than ever believe now is a good time to sell. 

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 22% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 13-14, 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 18, 2013

2016? Christie (R) 39%, Biden (D) 35%

Many suspect that Vice President Joe Biden went to Iowa this week to test the presidential waters. It's a long way off, but Biden's the winner matched against most of the current leading Republican contenders for 2016 - except New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In a face-off with fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton, however, the vice president gets blown away.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of Likely Democratic Voters chose Clinton, while 11% prefer Biden. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate, and another six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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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September 18, 2013

Saved From Larry Summers at Fed By Froma Harrop

The week opened nicely with news that Lawrence Summers had taken his name out of the running for the Federal Reserve chairman job. We won't be subjected to the notoriously unpleasant Summers denigrating those who would distinguish between Wall Street's interests and the country's. Still more gratifying is that Democrats, and not just the liberal ones, put the kibosh on President Obama's mystifying desire to put this Wall Street-Washington hybrid in charge of our central banking system.