Rasmussen Employment Index Remains Near Recent High
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence slipped just over a point in June after reaching a near six-year high the previous month.
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July 2, 2013
July 2, 2013
Investigate Issa! Or How to Apply the Chairman's Own Methods and Style to Him By Joe Conason
Among the many reasons that Americans hold the House of Representatives in low repute -- at historically abysmal levels, in fact -- is the blatantly partisan and ideological misconduct of so many committee chairs. Without any evident embarrassment these mighty politicians deny science, defy mathematics and dismiss every fact that contradicts their prejudices. But bad as these chairs tend to be, none is quite as flamboyantly awful as Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a special investigative panel whose latest effort to conjure scandal from nothingness at the Internal Revenue Service would provoke his removal by a responsible leadership.
July 2, 2013
For Voters, NSA Case is Less of A Scandal but More of A Problem
Of the four major controversies now swirling around the Obama administration, the National Security Agency’s secret surveillance of the phone and e-mail traffic of millions of Americans is the one voters least consider a serious scandal. But as controversies go, they rate it slightly ahead of the others as a problem for the administration.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters consider both the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative organizations and the White House’s explanation of what happened when the U.S. ambassador was killed in Benghazi, Libya last year as serious scandals. That’s unchanged from six weeks ago.
Twenty-five percent (25%) view the IRS matter as an embarrassing situation but not a scandal, while 19% say it’s not big deal. Similarly, 23% consider the Benghazi affair to be an embarrassing situation but not a scandal. Seventeen percent (17%) see it as no big deal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 30-July 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.
July 2, 2013
In U.K. but Not U.S., Young Voters Turn Against Big Government By Michael Barone
A trip to London provides an occasion to compare and contrast British politics and attitudes with those in America.
July 2, 2013
51% Think All EPA Regulations Need Congressional Approval
The Environmental Protection Agency sent a revised greenhouse gas emissions rule straight to the White House yesterday, but most voters now think regulations like this should travel through Capitol Hill first.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters believe EPA regulations should require congressional approval before they can be implemented. That's up eight points from 43% in late December. Only 28% disagree, while nearly as many (21%) 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 June 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.
July 1, 2013
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 39%, Democrats 38%
Republicans have gained the edge over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 30, 2013.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% 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. The week before, Democrats led by one. This is the second time in the past three weeks that both were below 40%, something that hasn't happened since June 2009.
(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 June 24-30, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
July 1, 2013
25% Say High School Graduates Prepared For College
Most voters don’t believe high school graduates have the necessary skills needed for college, and even more think they’re not prepared to enter the workforce.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think most high school graduates have the skills needed for college. Fifty-eight percent (58%) disagree, while 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 June 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.
July 1, 2013
17% Say U.S. Public Schools Provide World-Class Education
Confidence in the U.S. public school system’s ability to provide students a world-class education and teach traditional Western values continues to fall.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of Likely Voters still believe that “a world-class education is the single most important factor in determining whether our kids can compete for the best jobs and whether America can outcompete countries around the world.” A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that just 21% disagree with this view expressed by President Obama in 2011. Another 16% 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 July 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.
July 1, 2013
President Obama’s Full-Month Approval Rating Slips to 47% in June
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.
President Obama had a challenging month of June, and his total Job Approval rating fell two points to 47%. That ties the president’s lowest approval rating since December 2011. The current rating is more in line with his approval during most of his first term in office.
July 1, 2013
Public Approval of Supreme Court Falls to All-Time Low
The U.S. Supreme Court finished its term with big decisions on voting rights, affirmative action and same-sex marriage. Following those rulings, public approval of the court has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded in more than nine years of polling.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 28% believe the Supreme Court is doing a good or an excellent job. At the same time, 30% rate its performance as poor. That’s the highest-ever poor rating. It’s also the first time ever that the poor ratings have topped the positive assessments. Thirty-nine percent (39%) give the court middling reviews and rate its performance as fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Rasmussen Challenge is taking a break for the holiday week. Try your luck again next week, and win an iPad.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.
July 1, 2013
48% Now Want Their Governor To Oppose Health Care Law
As the date for implementation draws near, support for state implementation of President Obama’s health care law is declining.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would like their governor to support implementation of the law, while 48% want their governor to oppose it. 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.
July 1, 2013
48% Now Want Their Governor To Oppose Health Care Law
As the date for implementation draws near, support for state implementation of President Obama’s health care law is declining.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would like their governor to support implementation of the law, while 48% want their governor to oppose it. 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.
June 30, 2013
35% Say Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House in Their Area
Even though an increasing number of Americans think now is a good time to sell a home in their area, belief that owning a home is a family’s best investment is down.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe buying a home is the best investment a family can make. That’s down from 53% in May and is the lowest level measured since July 2012. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think a home is not a family's best investment, and just as many (28%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard .
(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 nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 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.
June 29, 2013
35% Think Obama Doing Good or Excellent Job with Economy
Confidence in President Obama’s handling of the economy and national security continues to fall.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the president’s handling of economic issues as good or excellent. Forty-two percent (42%) give him a poor rating. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
(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 June 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.
June 29, 2013
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For the Week Ending June 29, 2013
With the nation’s 237th birthday just days away, it’s good to remind ourselves that for most Americans, there’s still no place like home.
June 28, 2013
70% Say Americans Have More Freedom Than People in Other Countries
Despite the national debate over government surveillance and privacy, Americans still believe they have more freedom than people in other countries. Seventy percent (70%) of Adults nationwide believe that Americans have more freedom than people in other countries, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey. Just 12% believe Americans have less freedom, while 13% say the level of freedom is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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.
June 28, 2013
24% Say Their Home is Worth Less Than When They Bought It
Most homeowners still say their home is worth more than when they bought it, but one-in-four now say it’s worth less.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of U.S. Homeowners say that, compared to when they bought it, their home is now worth more. That’s down from 58% in April which tied the highest level measured since October 2011. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% say their home is now worth less than when they bought it, up from 20% in April and the highest since October. Eighteen percent (18%) say their home is worth about the same as when they bought it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard .
(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 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
June 28, 2013
58% Expect Obama’s New EPA Regulations to Increase Energy Costs
Nearly half of U.S. voters like the idea of putting tighter environmental controls on new and existing power plants, but just as many think President Obama’s proposed regulations to do that will hurt the economy. Most expect those regulations to drive up energy costs.
Forty-eight percent (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor new environmental regulations to place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-four percent (34%) oppose these new regulations. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.
June 28, 2013
Supreme Court Offers Mixed Verdict to Conservatives and Liberals By Michael Barone
This has been a big week for the Supreme Court. In four separate cases, it applied stricter scrutiny to racial quotas and preferences in higher education, overturned part of the Voting Rights Act, ruled unconstitutional the Defense of Marriage Act and dismissed an appeal of a case overturning California voters' ban on same-sex marriage.
June 28, 2013
About Those Who Abuse Their Health By Froma Harrop
In addition to being a fine actor, James Gandolfini was smart and rich. He could afford the best medical care the West has to offer and understand the stakes of being so overweight and stressed. Yet he let his weight balloon in an orgy of careless eating and drinking. Did he think himself invincible or assume that he had time to deal with health issues later, his age being only 51? Surely a doctor somewhere read him the riot act, so why didn't he make health a priority?
