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                            September 19, 201333% Think Stricter Gun Laws Might Have Prevented Navy Yard Shooting
Despite the horrific mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, support for more gun control has fallen to its lowest level in over a year. Most Americans don't think tougher gun control would have prevented this week's killings anyway. 
Just 33% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat likely that stricter gun control laws would have prevented the mass shooting in Washington, DC, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 15% who say it is Very Likely stricter laws would have prevented the tragedy. Fifty-nine percent (59%) think it’s unlikely tougher gun laws would have prevented the shooting, including 26% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 17-18, 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.
September 19, 2013Violence in Our Air By Froma Harrop
To the rising pile of shooting rampages, Americans can now add the rapid-fire murder of 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. It is a sign of our remarkable times that this horrid deed seems to pale next to the massacre of 20 schoolchildren in suburban Connecticut last December.
September 19, 2013Make Trade, Not War By John Stossel
What's up with so many Democrats wanting missile strikes on Syria, while Republicans balk? I'm told Republicans are the war party.  

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                            September 19, 201341% Favor Raising Eligibility Age To Keep Medicare Solvent
Voters still aren't very confident that they will get all their Medicare benefits, and a plurality favors raising the eligibility age to keep the program running for future generations.
Just 39% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Medicare system will pay them all promised benefits during their lifetime, including 12% who are Very Confident. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% are not confident the government health insurance program for the elderly will pay them all their promised benefits, with 26% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

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                            September 18, 201330% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the third week in a row, 30% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey for the week ending September 15.
Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week before Election Day. It fell steadily after that to a low for the year to date of 26% in mid- to late July.
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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 2-8, 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.

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                            September 18, 2013New High: 39% Say Now Is A Good Time To Sell A House
While only half of Americans continue to think purchasing a home is a family’s best investment, more than ever believe now is a good time to sell. 
Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 22% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 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. 
September 18, 20132016? Christie (R) 39%, Biden (D) 35%
Many suspect that Vice President Joe Biden went to Iowa this week to test the presidential waters. It's a long way off, but Biden's the winner matched against most of the current leading Republican contenders for 2016 - except New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In a face-off with fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton, however, the vice president gets blown away.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of Likely Democratic Voters chose Clinton, while 11% prefer Biden. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate, and another six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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. 
September 18, 2013Saved From Larry Summers at Fed By Froma Harrop
The week opened nicely with news that Lawrence Summers had taken his name out of the running for the Federal Reserve chairman job. We won't be subjected to the notoriously unpleasant Summers denigrating those who would distinguish between Wall Street's interests and the country's. Still more gratifying is that Democrats, and not just the liberal ones, put the kibosh on President Obama's mystifying desire to put this Wall Street-Washington hybrid in charge of our central banking system. 

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                            September 18, 201336% Are Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down
As the conversation heats up over who will be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, confidence in the system’s ability to keep inflation under control remains low. 
Just 36% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Federal Reserve Board can keep interest rates down and inflation under control, including six percent (6%) who are Very Confident. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% lack that confidence, with 17% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 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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                            September 17, 201340% Have Favorable Opinion of Teachers Unions
Americans are closely divided on whether it’s good or bad that most public school teachers belong to labor unions and share mixed opinions on those unions in general. But most continue to believe it’s too hard to get rid of bad teachers.
Forty percent (40%) of American Adults have a favorable opinion of teachers unions, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-five percent (45%) view teachers unions unfavorably. These findings include 13% with Very Favorable opinions of teachers unions and 24% with Very Unfavorable ones. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 11-12, 2012 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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                            September 17, 201350% Lack Confidence in Stability of U.S. Banking Industry
Five years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, half of Americans still lack confidence in the stability of the nation’s banking system. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults say they are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident.  Fifty percent (50%) lack confidence in the banking industry today, with 14% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 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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                            September 17, 201351% Favor Government Shutdown Until Congress Cuts Health Care Funding
President Obama yesterday criticized congressional Republicans for insisting on spending cuts in any budget deal that continues government operations past October 1, saying they risk "economic chaos." Most voters agree a federal government shutdown would be bad for the economy, but they're willing to risk one until Democrats and Republicans in Congress agree on ways to cut the budget, including cuts in funding for the new national health care law.
Just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters believe a partial shutdown of the federal government would be good for economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-six percent (56%) say such a shutdown would be bad for the economy, even though payments for things like Social Security, Medicare and unemployment would continue. Sixteen percent (16%) think it would have no impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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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                            September 17, 201314% Likely to Miss or Be Late With A Mortgage Payment in Next Six Months
Most homeowners continue to say they have not missed a mortgage payment in the last six months, but their outlook for the next six months is less optimistic. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of American Homeowners admit to missing a mortgage payment or paying late over the last six months. Eighty-nine percent (89%) have not missed or been late on a payment, though this is the first time that number has dipped below 90% since March 2011.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 661 Homeowners was conducted on September 13-14, 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. 
September 17, 2013Republicans Need Future-Looking Policies, not old Bromides By Michael Barone
Republicans have been getting a lot of advice on how they should change their party ever since Mitt Romney's defeat in November 2012. They need it.
They are in more than the usual disarray that afflicts parties out of the White House. Many members of their majority in the House of Representatives are out of step with the Republican leadership on issues ranging from Syria to defunding Obamacare.

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                            September 16, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 38%, Republicans 38%
Democrats and Republicans are once again tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending September 15.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 38% would choose the Republican instead.  The week before, the two parties were tied at 39% apiece.  For much of the summer, neither has hit the 40% mark, suggesting a high level of voter unhappiness with both major political parties.
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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 9-15, 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.

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                            September 16, 201345% Think Their Home Will Be Worth More In Five Years
Short-term confidence in the housing market continues to hover around its highest level in years, but homeowners remain more confident in long-term recovery.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Adult Homeowners say the value of their home will likely go up in a year.  That’s consistent with findings for the last several months and just a point lower than an all-time high of 37% reached in April and June. Short-term confidence hit a low of 11% in July 2011. Twenty percent (20%) now feel their home’s value will go down in the next 12 months, but just 12% felt that way in July.  A plurality (42%) expects their home's value to stay about the same.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 661 Homeowners was conducted on September 13-14, 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. 

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                            September 16, 201341% Give Obama Positive Marks for Health Care, 44% Say Poor
Despite continuing controversy and questions about the new national health care law as it nears fuller implementation, voter attitudes about President Obama's handling of the health care issue remain unchanged. Forty-one percent (41%) of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to health care issues, while 44% rate his performance in this area as poor, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Obama's positives are up from June's low of 38% but consistent with regular surveying since February. Those giving the president poor marks have changed very little all year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Special Offer: Rasmussen Reader is now just $24.95 for a subscription through December 31, 2014. Sign up today!
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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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                            September 16, 201354% Expect Health Care Costs To Rise Under Obamacare
Most voters still don't like the national health care law and expect it to increase, not reduce, health care costs.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, but 53% view it unfavorably. As has been the case since the law's passage by Congress in March 2010, the passion remains on the side of its opponents: The new findings include 18% with a Very Favorable opinion of the law, but more than twice as many (38%) view it Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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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                            September 15, 201374% Underestimate Average Teacher Salary in U.S.
Just over half of Americans agree that teachers are paid too little, but three-out-of-four underestimate what the average teacher salary really is.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of American Adults believe public school teachers are paid too little, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 15% believe teachers are paid too much, while 26% say they are paid about the right amount. (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 September 11-12, 2012 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.
September 15, 201359% Think U.S. More Exceptional Than Other Nations
Most U.S. voters still subscribe to the view that there is something special about America.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States is more exceptional than other nations. Just 27% disagree, with 14% more who 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 September 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.