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April 18, 2013

71% Think Pop Culture Encourages Sexual Activity Among the Young

Americans have consistently said that violence in movies and television leads to more violence in society, and they also strongly feel that the pop culture encourages sexual activity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults say movies, TV and other parts of popular culture encourage sexual activity among young people.  Only 18% disagree, while 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 American Adults was conducted on April 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.

April 17, 2013

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-one percent (31%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, April 14.

Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is down three points from the previous week.  Last week, it appeared to have recovered from a downturn prompted by the political impasse in Washington, D.C. over the so-called sequester budget cuts. Belief that the country was heading in the right direction fell to 28% in late February-early March as political leaders were desperately looking for ways to avoid even modest reductions in the growth of federal spending. Now that the threat to undo the sequester has passed, confidence in the country's direction appeared to be returning to earlier levels but may be trending downward again.

(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 April 8-14, 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.

April 17, 2013

67% See President Obama as Liberal

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe, in political terms, Barack Obama is at least somewhat liberal, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That includes 38% who think he is Very Liberal.

Twenty-four percent (24%) say the president is politically moderate, while only five percent (5%) see him as conservative.  (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 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

April 17, 2013

51% Favor Imprisoning Terrorist Suspects Even Without Evidence to Convict

Following the deadly terrorist attack in Boston Monday, half of U.S. voters still support imprisoning terrorist suspects despite a lack of hard evidence to convict them.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters favor continuing the current U.S. policy of imprisoning suspected terrorists if they are considered a danger even if there is insufficient evidence to convict them. Just half as many (26%) oppose such a policy, but 23% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. Answers can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight, Wednesday, April 17.

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

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April 17, 2013

A Post-Post Office World By John Stossel

Even parts of government that look like a business never get run with the efficiency of a business. Just look at the post office. 

April 17, 2013

47% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Though most Americans say the interest rates they’re paying are little changed from a year ago, nearly half expect interest rates to be higher a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe interest rates will be a higher in one year. Just four percent (4%) expect rates to be lower, while 34% say they’ll be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 American Adults was conducted on April 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.

April 16, 2013

37% Say Most U.S. Workers Are Dishonest To Get Ahead

Fewer Americans now believe that dishonesty is a common practice used to get ahead in the workplace. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Adults say most working Americans do something dishonest to get ahead at some point in their careers, but that’s down from 52% measured last July.

Forty percent (40%) don’t think employees use dishonesty for career advancement, up from 28% in the previous survey.  Another 23% 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 American Adults was conducted on April 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.

April 16, 2013

39% Give Obama Good or Excellent Marks for Deficit Reduction

Voters remain closely divided when it comes to President Obama’s handling of issues related to economic fairness, but a plurality rates him poorly on deficit reduction.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% give the president poor marks for his handling of issues related to deficit reduction. Thirty-nine percent (39%) rate his performance in this area as good or excellent. These findings are generally unchanged from the previous two months.  (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 April 11-12, 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.

April 16, 2013

43% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the American banking industry has once again slipped below 50%.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system. That includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident. A majority (52%) now lacks confidence in the banking system, with 16% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (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 American Adults was conducted on April 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. Seemethodology.

April 16, 2013

54% Are Very Angry at Congress

There’s still a lot of voter anger in the country, especially as far as Congress is concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat angry at Congress, including 54% who are Very Angry. The overall finding is up five points from 79% in November 2011. Just 12% are not very or Not At All Angry at the nation’s legislators. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! A new question is available today.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 11-12, 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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April 16, 2013

Housing Hot, Again? By Froma Harrop

Another housing boom? N-o-o-o!

April 16, 2013

57% Oppose Over-the-Counter Sales of Morning-After Pill to Youngsters

A federal judge earlier this month ruled that the morning-after birth control pill should be available over the counter to children 16 and younger without a prescription.  Most Americans think that’s a bad idea and that parents should be involved in a contraceptive decision for children that young.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of American Adults favor making the morning-after pill available to children 16 and under without a prescription. Fifty-seven percent (57%) oppose the availability of the contraceptive for those that young without a prescription. Ten percent (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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 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.

April 15, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 42%, Republicans 38%

Democrats hold a four-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending April 14.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% 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 8-14, 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.

April 15, 2013

15% Expect Obama, Congress To Really Cut Spending

Even if Congress and President Obama reach a budget deal, voters aren’t optimistic that it will include real spending cuts.

Sometimes when politicians use the phrase “spending cuts,” they really mean just a reduction in the growth of spending. Only 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think any plan agreed to by the president and Congress will really cut federal spending. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% believe it will merely reduce the growth of future spending instead. Twenty percent (20%) aren’t 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

April 15, 2013

41% Feel IRS Is Not Aggressive Enough

Voters are narrowly divided in their opinions of the Internal Revenue Service on Tax Day 2013 and tend to think it’s not aggressive enough in going after tax cheats. Perhaps that helps explain why voters aren’t enthusiastic about the IRS’s new role enforcing President Obama’s national health care law.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the IRS, while slightly more (49%) view it unfavorably, according to a new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey. This includes just seven percent (7%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the federal tax collection agency and 17% 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 April 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.

April 15, 2013

86% Intend to Hit Today's Tax Deadline

Eighty-six percent (86%) of American Adults plan to have their taxes filed by today's deadline, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 

That includes 72% who had filed by Saturday, up 11 points from the end of March but down from 78% this time last year. Another 14% intended to get them done yesterday or today. Seven percent (7%) will seek an extension, with seven percent (7%) more 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 American Adults was conducted on April 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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April 15, 2013

Extra Care Required in Crafting Immigration Reform By Michael Barone

"Without legislative language," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy declared in a statement March 20, "there is nothing for the Judiciary Committee to consider this week at our markup."  

April 15, 2013

72% Favor Individual Choice When It Comes to How Much Health Insurance Coverage

Voters remain closely divided in their opinions of President Obama’s new health care law but also are still very clear that individuals, not the government, should decide how much health insurance they need.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the health care law favorably, while 49% have an unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 18% who regard the law Very Favorably and twice as many (35%) with a Very Unfavorable view. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge!

(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 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.

April 14, 2013

19% Believe the Era of Big Government Is Over

President Bill Clinton in a 1996 address famously declared, “The era of big government is over,” but President Obama's agenda has led many to conclude that era is back. Most voters wish Clinton was right; few think he is.

Just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think the era of big government is over. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% do not believe that to be true. Twenty-eight percent (28%) 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 April 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.

April 13, 2013

71% View College Admissions for Good Athletes Over Better Students as Unfair

While it's commonplace for most colleges and universities to bend over backwards to recruit star athletes, Americans believe strongly that talented jocks shouldn't be admitted over more qualified students.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of American Adults think it is fair for a school to accept a skilled athlete over a more qualified student. Seventy-one percent (71%) disagree and do not believe that athlete should get preferential admissions. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leader board.

(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 April 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.