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June 18, 2013

The Battle Against the Big Government Dragon By Mark Meckler

The battle has been joined, and the citizens of the great American Republic are streaming to the fight against the immense and powerful dragon beast, “Big Government.”  How the story will end, no one knows but God Himself, but today the battle rages openly for the soul of the nation with liberty itself at stake.

June 18, 2013

35% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government, 60% Unfavorable

Americans view local governments more favorably than their state and federal government, and generally prefer state and local solutions rather than turning things over to the federal government. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 35% of American adults have a favorable impression of the federal government. Sixty percent (60%) voice an unfavorable view. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

June 18, 2013

66% Feel Their Company Values Them As An Employee

Many working Americans would recommend their company as a good place to work, which may be in part because most feel their company values them as an employee.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds of Employed Americans (66%) feels like their company values them as an employee. Twenty percent (20%) do not think their company values them, but 13% are not sure. (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 613 Employed Adults was conducted on June 9-10, 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 18, 2013

Another Way We Overpay for Health Care By Froma Harrop

Little victories in curbing health care costs can add up. In truth, they seem little only next to the titanic $2.6 trillion Americans spend a year on health care. So let us salute them.   

June 18, 2013

Distrust Growing: 70% Believe IRS Decision to Target Conservatives Was Made in DC

While the controversy over the National Security Agency surveillance program has dominated the news recently, concern about the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations remains high and is inching up. Despite the large number of controversies engulfing official Washington, the number of people following the IRS scandal has actually increased in recent weeks.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of voters nationwide are now following the IRS targeting story, including 44% who are following the story “Very Closely.” The overall number of voters who are following is up from 74% a month ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad:  The Rasmussen Challenge starts today!

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Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

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

June 18, 2013

In New Jersey, 44% Would Vote for Christie for President

It’s the time in the political cycle when just about any Republican could be considered a presidential candidate. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s name comes up often in those discussions, but New Jersey voters aren’t convinced he should make the run.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Garden State voters would like to see a Christie campaign in 2016. However, a Rasmussen Reports statewide poll shows that 41% disagree and do not want him to run. Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 state survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 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.

June 17, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 39%

Democrats and Republicans are now tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 16, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead.

This is the first time since June 2009 that both parties are below 40%.  “This could be a sign that voters are just fed up with both parties,” noted Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports.

(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 10-16, 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.

June 17, 2013

71% Would Recommend Their Company as a Good Place to Work

Most working Americans like their jobs, so it’s no surprise that they’d recommend their company as a good place to work.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Employed Americans would recommend their company, while just 17% would not. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge starts tomorrow!

(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 613 Employed Adults was conducted on June 9-10, 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 17, 2013

Booker Clear Favorite to Replace Lautenberg

With two months to go until the Democratic primary and four months until Election Day, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is in a strong position to become New Jersey’s next United States Senator.

Booker, a graduate of Stanford University, Yale Law School and a Rhodes Scholar, currently attracts 54% support in the Democratic primary competition. A Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of the race finds three other candidates far behind. Congressman Rush Holt picks up 11% of the vote, Congressman Frank Pallone draws eight percent (8%), and Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Sheila Oliver earns five percent (5%) of the vote. Three percent (3%) would prefer some other candidate and 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

In a general election match-up against Republican hopeful Steve Lonegan, Booker enjoys a 17-point advantage, 50% to 33%. Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota and former State Director of the New Jersey chapter of Americans for Prosperity. Perhaps recognizing the political realities of a statewide run in a solidly “blue” state, many other Republicans have declined to enter the race.

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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 state survey of 416 Likely Democratic Primary Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 12-13, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. The general election survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 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.

June 17, 2013

Most Want Donor Disclosure from Tax-Exempt Groups

Most voters believe tax-exempt groups should publicly disclose all of their donors even though most recognize some will be harassed by political opponents.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe that groups like the Tea Party and Planned Parenthood should disclose all their donors. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% disagree and 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: A new Rasmussen Challenge starts tomorrow!

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 14-15, 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 17, 2013

A Libertarian Turn on Marijuana Legalization, Same-Sex Marriage and Gun Rights By Michael Barone

Are Americans becoming more libertarian on cultural issues? I see evidence that they are, in poll findings and election results on three unrelated issues -- marijuana legalization, same-sex marriage and gun rights.

Start with pot. Last November voters in the states of Colorado and Washington voted to legalize marijuana, by a 55 to 45 percent margin in Colorado (more than Barack Obama's margin in the state) and by 56 to 44 percent in Washington.

June 17, 2013

57% Expect Health Care System to Get Worse in Coming Years

While opinions remain mixed about the current U.S. health care system, voters continue to grow increasingly pessimistic about the short-term prospects for health care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of Likely Voters rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent. Twenty-seven percent (27%) rate it as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: A new Rasmussen Challenge starts tomorrow!

(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 14-15, 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 16, 2013

On Civil Liberties, Comparing Obama With Bush Is Easy -- and Mostly Wrong By Joe Conason

Nearly a dozen years after the passage of the Patriot Act, rushed through Congress in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, informed debate over the balance between liberty and security is long overdue. That includes a public examination of how widely and deeply the National Security Agency (and other elements of the "intelligence community") may monitor Americans' telecommunications without violating the Bill of Rights.

June 16, 2013

41% Believe Supreme Court Too Hostile Towards Religion, 15% Too Friendly

Throughout history, the relationship between church and state has been a major issue for societies. In the United States, the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but precisely what that means has been subject to ongoing debate.

June 15, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - For the Week Ending June 15, 2013

The news that the National Security Agency is monitoring everybody’s phone records and reading emails dominated the news last week. Most voters (57%) fear other government agencies will use the NSA data to harass political opponents. Just 26% support the government monitoring effort

June 14, 2013

44% Are Confident They Will Receive All Promised Social Security Benefits

Most voters are still not confident that they will receive all promised Social Security benefits during their lifetime. There is overwhelming support for the view that voter approval should be required before any changes in the program are made.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Social Security system will pay them all their promised retirement benefits during their lifetime. Fifty-three percent (53%) are not confident.

There is a huge generation gap on this question. Seniors are overwhelmingly confident that they will receive their benefits. Just 22% of voters under 40 share that view. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

June 14, 2013

NJ Governor: Christie Has Big Lead, Seen as Most Effective Candidate to Work With Obama

New Jersey’s Republican Governor Chris Christie holds a huge lead in his bid for reelection partly because he is seen as the most effective candidate to work with Democratic President Barack Obama.  The first Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of the race finds Governor Christie attracting 58% of the vote, while State Senator Barbara Buono earns the vote from 28%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate and 10% are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The state survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 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.

June 14, 2013

57% Fear Government Will Use NSA Data to Harass Political Opponents

There is little public support for the sweeping and unaccountable nature of the National Security Agency surveillance program along with concerns about how the data will be used.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide believe it is likely the NSA data will be used by other government agencies to harass political opponents. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 30% consider it unlikely and 14% 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 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

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June 14, 2013

High Heels and Workers' Rights By Froma Harrop

One of the strangest artifacts of American culture is the spiked heel as a symbol of female power. Many waitresses at America's casinos feel otherwise.

June 14, 2013

Distrust of Government Is What It's All About by Scott Rasmussen

Another week, another controversy in official Washington. While each of these stories has its own cast of characters and internal dynamics, it is now possible to identify a unifying theme.