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                            April 17, 20146% Rate Congress’s Performance as Good or Excellent
Congress earns its lowest performance ratings in months, while fewer voters than ever think members of Congress actually listen to them.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, its lowest positives since last June. Sixty-three percent (63%) rate Congress' job performance poorly. Still, that's down 12 points from an eight-year high of 75% last November amidst the troubled rollout of the new national health care law. (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 April 15-16, 2014 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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                            April 17, 2014South Carolina Governor: Haley (R) 52%, Sheheen (D) 37%
Incumbent Republican Nikki Haley holds a double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Vincent Sheheen in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 gubernatorial rematch in South Carolina.
A new statewide telephone survey of Likely South Carolina Voters finds Haley with 52% support to 37% for Sheheen. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) 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 750 Likely Voters in South Carolina was conducted on April 14-15, 2014 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.
April 17, 2014Ask Not What Your Cat Can Do for You by Froma Harrop
A big-selling book, "Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet," helps cat lovers understand what is going on in the hearts and brains of their kitties. Sadly, not nearly so much as they thought and hoped.

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                            April 17, 201450% Still Confident in Stability of Banking System
Half of American Adults are still confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system today.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the nation's banks, but that includes just 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-four percent (44%) are not confident in the banking industry, with 12% who are Not at All Confident. (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 April 14-15, 2014 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.
April 17, 2014Exiting the House: The many paths to ending a career in Congress' lower chamber By Geoffrey Skelley
Over the past 40 years, there have been many ways to leave the U.S. House of Representatives. Specifically, nine different methods. The main ones, beyond losing a primary or general election, are to retire or run for another office. But a member can also do one of the following: be appointed to another office, resign, be expelled, pass away or, in the rarest of instances, have the House vacate one’s seat.

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                            April 16, 201431% Say U.S. is Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-one percent (31%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is headed in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending April 13.
The finding is up one point from 30% the previous week. This is the only the second week when the number who say the country is heading in the right direction has inched above the narrow range of 28% to 30% since mid-December. 
(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 March 31-April 6, 2014. 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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                            April 16, 2014What America Thinks: Congress Stinks
Congress remains the number one political complaint for voters unhappy with the overall direction of the country.
April 16, 201491% of Democrats See Hillary As Likely 2016 Nominee
Hillary Clinton’s favorables are down slightly from her years as secretary of State, but voters still strongly believe she will win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 if she wants it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Clinton, while 44% view her unfavorably. This includes 27% with a Very Favorable opinion of the former first lady and senator and 29% with 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 13-14, 2014 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.
April 16, 2014Earth Daze By John Stossel
"The heavens reek, the waters below are foul ... we are in a crisis of survival." That's how Walter Cronkite and CBS hyped the first Earth Day, back in 1970. Somehow we've survived since then, and most of life got better, although I never hear that from the worrywarts.
Of course, some things got better because of government: We passed environmental rules that got most of the filth out of the air and sewage out of lakes and rivers. Great -- but now we're told that we're in big trouble because greenhouse gases cause global warming. I mean, climate change.

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                            April 16, 201465% of Internet Users Are Still Confident in Banking, Business Online
Most Americans now bank online and are comfortable with doing business over the Internet in spite of the recently disclosed Heartbleed security breach. But most also admit they have had to change Internet passwords because of security worries.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American Adults now use the Internet at least once a week, with 66% who say they use it every day or nearly every day. (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 April 10-11, 2014 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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                            April 15, 201484% Consider the Level of Prom Spending Too High
Prom season is upon us, and it seems the days of cheap tuxedos and having your parents drop you and your date off at the school gym are long gone. A recent study conducted by VISA says the national average for prom spending in 2013 was $1,139 per family.
Eighty-four percent (84%) of American Adults think spending that much for a high school prom is too much, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just two percent (2%) say it's not enough, while nine percent (9%) consider the current level of spending about right. (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 April 12-13, 2014 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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                            April 15, 201454% Think Increased Reliance on Internet Makes U.S. Economy More Vulnerable
The recently-disclosed Heartbleed bug has reportedly jeopardized the security of a number of major web sites, and many Americans now worry that increased dependency on the Internet puts the U.S. economy more at risk.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults think America’s increasing reliance on the Internet for business and financial transactions makes the economy more vulnerable to attack. Just eight percent (8%) think this increased dependency makes the U.S. economy less vulnerable, while 31% say the level of risk is unchanged. (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 April 10-11, 2014 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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                            April 15, 201488% Plan to File Income Taxes by Today; 53% Question Fairness of Tax System
Today is Tax Day, and while most Americans expect a refund this year, just over half think they pay more than their fair share.A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey conducted over the past weekend finds that 75% of American Adults have filed their income taxes, while another 13% expect to do so by today’s deadline. Five percent (5%) plan to get an extension. This is consistent with findings for the past two years. (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 April 12-13, 2014 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.
April 15, 2014Dems Play Politics With Bogus 77-cent Differential in Male-Female Pay By Michael Barone
An economist serving on a second-term president's Council of Economic Advisers might expect to weigh in on fundamental issues, restructuring the tax system or making entitlement programs sustainable over the long term. Barack Obama once talked of addressing such issues, and Republican leaders such as House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp are doing so.   
April 15, 2014Lessons Not Learned in Boston Bombing By Froma Harrop
Airport gift shops throughout New England are piling "Boston Strong" T-shirts in vivid colors. "Boston Strong" became a rallying cry of solidarity after the terrorist bombing last year at the Boston Marathon.
As the anniversary of the attack -- and the next race on April 21 -- approaches, emotional coverage of the event and aftermath is reaching feverish levels. A multipage spread in The Washington Post, "How Boston Stayed Strong," heaves with charged language: "harrowing," "carnage," "horrific."
So it's really odd to see these pained reminiscences alternating with rebukes of a National Security Agency surveillance program designed to prevent such assaults. Actually, the disconnect is something to behold.

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                            April 15, 2014Just 16% Think Most in Congress Pay All Their Taxes
Today’s the deadline for the vast majority of Americans to file their income taxes, but over half of voters don’t think most members of Congress pay their taxes in full like the rest of us.
Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think most members of Congress pay all the taxes they owe. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% think most of those in Congress do not pay all their taxes. Another 32% 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 Voters was conducted on April 7-8, 2014 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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                            April 14, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%
Democrats now hold a two-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday April 13, finds that 40% 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.
(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 April 7 -April 13, 2014. 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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                            April 14, 2014Illinois Governor: Rauner (R) 43%, Quinn (D) 40%
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn is facing some early trouble from his Republican challenger in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 gubernatorial race in Illinois.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Illinois Voters shows Republican businessman Bruce Rauner picking up 43% of the vote to Quinn’s 40%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 10% 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 750 Likely Voters in Illinois was conducted on April 9-10, 2014 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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                            April 14, 201412% Expect Quicker Fixes to Health Care Law with Sebelius Gone
Most voters think Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is responsible for the problems with Obamacare so far and believe she was forced to resign for political reasons. But there’s very little expectation that problems with the law will be fixed more quickly by her successor.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe Sebelius is at least somewhat responsible for the problems with the rollout of the national health care law, but 27% disagree, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 21% who say the former Kansas governor is Very Responsible for the problems with the law and just nine percent (9%) who say she is Not At All Responsible. (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 April 11-12, 2014 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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                            April 14, 201482% Rate the Health Care They Receive As Good or Excellent
Voters continue to give high marks to the health care they receive while remaining critical of the overall U.S. health care system. Half also still expect things to get worse under Obamacare.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the quality of health care they receive as good or excellent. Just five percent (5%) describe that care as 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 11-12, 2014 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.