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June 10, 2013

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 44%, Cuccinelli (R) 41%

Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Virginia gubernatorial race shows a close contest between two well-known candidates.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters shows Democrat Terry McAuliffe picking up 44% of the vote to Republican Ken Cuccinelli's 41%. Just three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, but 12% are currently 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 in Virginia was conducted on June 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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June 10, 2013

America Will Pay a Price for President Obama's Inaction in Syria By Michael Barone

Barack Obama's appointments of Susan Rice as national security adviser and Samantha Power as ambassador to the United Nations have naturally triggered speculation about changes in foreign policy.  

June 10, 2013

60% Expect Costs To Rise Under Federal Health Care Law

Most voters continue to view President Obama’s national health care law unfavorably. Two-out-of-three expect it to increase the federal budget deficit, six-out-of-10 expect it to increase health care costs and half expect it to hurt the quality of care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters hold at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 53% view it unfavorably. This includes 16% with a Very Favorable opinion and 38% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(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 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.

June 10, 2013

Despite Obama's Assurance, 68% Think It’s Likely Gov't Listening to Their Conversations

Last week, responding to the furor over the leaked news of massive government surveillance efforts, President Obama dismissed the concerns as “hype.” He added, “If people can’t trust not only the executive branch but also don’t trust Congress and don’t trust federal judges to make sure that we’re abiding by the Constitution with due process and rule of law, then we’re going to have some problems here.” (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 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.

June 9, 2013

59% in Virginia Approve of McDonnell’s Performance as Governor

Most Virginians continue to like the job Governor Bob McDonnell is doing.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds that 59% at least somewhat approve of McDonnell's job performance. Thirty-four percent (34%) disapprove. This includes Strong Approval from 20% and Strong Disapproval from 13%.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the first week of the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to see.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on June 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.

June 9, 2013

59% Oppose Government’s Secret Collecting of Phone Records

Most voters oppose the U.S. government’s secret collection of the phone records of millions of Americans and think the feds are spying too much on U.S. citizens these days.  Just 26% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the government’s secret collecting of these phone records for national security purposes regardless of whether there is any suspicion of wrongdoing. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% are opposed to the practice. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the first week of the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to see.

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

June 8, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Endine June 8, 2013

President Obama may have more than his share of problems these days, but things aren’t getting any better for Congress either.

June 7, 2013

49% Think Economy is Unfair to Hard Workers

Americans have long indicated that they think small business owners are the hardest workers, but they're closely divided now over whether the U.S. economy is fair to these hard workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to small business owners, but that includes just 10% who believe it’s Very Fair. Forty-seven percent (47%), though, believe the economy is not fair to small businesses, with 16% who say it’s Not At All Fair. (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 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.

June 7, 2013

12% of Facebook Users Say Hate Speech A Very Serious Problem on the Site

Facebook has outlined new steps to identify and remove hate speech. But while most Americans believe hate speech is a serious issue in this country, Facebook users are less inclined to see it as a problem on the social networking site. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults think hate speech is at least a somewhat serious problem in the United States today, with 22% who consider it a Very Serious one.  Thirty-three percent (33%) don’t view hate speech as a serious problem, including eight percent (8%) who say it’s Not At All Serious. (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 June 3-4, 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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June 7, 2013

Live From Istanbul: Authoritarians With Bad Taste By Froma Harrop

Anti-government protests in Turkey have produced a social movement like no other. The lit match was not the death of a heroic dissident, a corrupt election, high unemployment or the other usual-suspect grievances. It was the government's plan to replace precious park space in downtown Istanbul with a shopping mall and replica of army barracks from the Ottoman era.   

June 7, 2013

64% Say Most Members of Congress Don’t Care What They Think

Voters remain convinced that Congress doesn’t care what they think, and that includes the representative from their home district.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most members of Congress care what their constituents think. Sixty-four percent (64%) feel they don’t care what their voters think. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the first week of the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to see.

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

June 7, 2013

Odds Grow Longer for Immigration Reform By Scott Rasmussen

Many pundits assumed that this would be the year that comprehensive immigration reform became law. The conventional wisdom was that President Obama's re-election and his strong showing among Hispanic voters would force Republicans to go along.

Now, halfway through the year, the prospects for immigration reform have dimmed significantly.

June 6, 2013

49% Think Obama Good or Excellent Leader

Despite the controversies surrounding the White House, half of U.S. voters continue to give President Obama positive marks for his leadership. Voters are more evenly divided on his leadership style. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely Voters consider Obama a good or excellent leader.  That shows little change from the past couple months but is down from a recent high of 55% measured in late December. However, 39% now give the president poor marks on his leadership, his worst showing since last October.  (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 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.

June 6, 2013

31% Favor Ban on Hate Speech

Americans remain overwhelmingly committed to their freedom of speech, but one-in-three think there should be a ban on so-called hate speech.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of American Adults believe allowing free speech without government interference is better than letting the government decide what types of hate speech should be banned. Twelve percent (12%) prefer government-regulated speech, while 16% more 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 Adults was conducted on June 3-4, 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 6, 2013

52% View WikiLeaks Suspect Bradley Manning As A Traitor

Most voters believe the WikiLeaks release of classified documents is likely to have hurt U.S. national security and think the American soldier who helped make the information public on the Internet is a traitor.  But they’re closely divided over whether that soldier deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters think the WikiLeaks release of classified information is at least somewhat likely to have hurt U.S. national security. Twenty-four percent (24%) consider that unlikely. This includes 30% who say it’s Very Likely that public disclosure of the secrets hurt national security and just three percent (3%) who say it’s Not At All Likely to have done any damage. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the first week of the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to see.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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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June 6, 2013

With Lautenberg Gone, WW II Vets Fade From Politics By Michael Barone

Over the last seven decades, 115 veterans of World War II have served in the United States Senate. This week, the last of them, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, died.    

June 6, 2013

66% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Most working Americans consider themselves part of the middle class, while the fewest in a year now view themselves as wealthy. Those who feel they are among the working poor remain at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds (66%) of Employed Adults consider themselves middle class. Just one percent (1%) now consider themselves wealthy, the lowest finding since May 2012. But 22% now describe themselves as upper middle class, the highest since then. Only eight percent (8%) regard themselves as among the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad:  The Rasmussen Challenge is now live!         

(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 644 Employed Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 5, 2013

32% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, June 2.

That’s up two points from the past three weeks. The latest findings are nearly identical to those a year ago and in line with voter attitudes since early March after President Obama and Congress failed to agree on a budget cutting plan and the so-called sequester cuts kicked in. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.

(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 May 27-June 2, 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.

June 5, 2013

80% Say It Will Be Difficult for Young People To Find Summer Jobs

Most Americans think it is important for young people to have a job during their summer break from school, but they also recognize that may be easier said than done. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 94% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat important for young people to have jobs during the summer when they are out of school, including 66% who feel it’s Very Important.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge is now live! 

(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 May 30-31, 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.

June 5, 2013

56% View Feds As Threat to Individual Rights

The United States was founded on a belief that governments are created to protect certain unalienable rights. Today, however, more voters than ever view the federal government as a threat to those rights.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider the federal government a threat to individual rights rather than a protector of those rights. That’s up 10 points from 46% in December. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge is now live! 

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