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June 4, 2013

Rasmussen Employment Index Reaches Highest Level Since 2007

The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures worker confidence, rose almost four points in May to the highest level measured since October 2007. 

At 94.4, worker confidence is up seven points from January and is up six points from a year ago. These results mark just the third time the Employment Index topped 90-point level since January 2008. 

Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government report on job creation will be stronger than the prior month’s report. While the improvement is encouraging, there’s still a long way to go. The Employment Index is still down 12 points from May 2007.

June 4, 2013

Fewer Vacationers Had to Cut Back on Spending This Year

A good sign for the economy is fewer adults say they've had to cut back on vacation spending this year.

A new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults are planning a summer vacation this year. Fifty percent (50%) are not, but nine percent (9%) aren’t sure yet. (To see 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 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 by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology

June 4, 2013

68% Consider Freedom of the Press Very Important

Even with the addition of Fox News’ James Rosen to the list of reporters whose phone records were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice, voters haven’t changed their opinions about the motives behind the department’s actions. Voters are also fairly evenly divided about the balance between press freedoms and national security concerns.  

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 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.

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June 4, 2013

Slower Rise in Health Care Spending Is a Big Deal By Froma Harrop

The sky isn't falling. The train is not wrecking. The end is not nigh. And to drag this out a bit, the tidings are not all bad.    

June 4, 2013

37% Rate Obama’s Handling of Gun Control as Good or Excellent

Fewer voters than ever now give President Obama positive marks for his handling of gun control and immigration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely Voters rate Obama’s handling of issues related to gun control as good or excellent, while 46% view his performance in this area as poor.  (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 May 31-June 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.

June 3, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 40%

Republicans and Democrats are now tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 2, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 40% would choose the Republican instead. The last time the two parties were tied was the week before Election Day in early November.

For the last seven weeks, the gap between the two parties has been two points or less. In the previous survey, Democrats led by two points. One week prior to that, Republicans led by one, only the second time since Election Day that the GOP had led on the Generic Ballot. Although Democrats have held a slight advantage most weeks since last November, their support is down from a high of 47% in early December.

(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 May 27-June 2, 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 3, 2013

President Obama’s Full-Month Approval Rating Down to 49% in May

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.

June 3, 2013

51% Say U.S. Has Enough Shale Oil to Become World’s Largest Energy Producer

Voters place high importance on the United States becoming less dependent on foreign oil, and many believe the United States has the capability of achieving this goal and more. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 92% of Likely Voters believe it’s at least somewhat important for the United States to become less dependent on oil imports. That includes 64% who believe this is a Very Important goal.  Just six percent (6%) say it’s not important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: Take The Rasmussen Challenge starting Tuesday, June 4, 2013.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 29-30, 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 3, 2013

45% Think U.S. Economy Is Fair, Improvement from May

Voters overwhelmingly believe in the value of hard work and think it should be rewarded. But over half continue to feel the U.S. economy is not fair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 90% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is important that people who are physically able to work are required to support themselves, including 71% who consider it Very Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Ninety percent (90%) also think it’s important to insure that everyone who is willing to work hard has a chance to earn a middle class lifestyle, with 67% who regard it as Very Important.

Overall, just 45% of voters now view the U.S. economy as at least somewhat fair. Fifty-one percent (51%) consider the economy in this country to be unfair. This is an improvement since May, but similar to attitudes in March,  February, and December.

Get ready! 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 May 31-June 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.

June 3, 2013

54% View Health Care Law Unfavorably

Most voters still view President Obama’s national health care law unfavorably, and most still believe that competition will do more than regulation to bring health care prices down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters now hold at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 54% view it unfavorably. Passion remains on the side of the opponents, with 15% who view the law Very Favorably compared to 40% with a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (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 May 31-June 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.

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June 3, 2013

Tragedy of Detroit Shows 'Big Unit America' Is out of Gas By Michael Barone

Detroit, once one of the nation's most vibrant cities, faces imminent bankruptcy. That's the headline from the report last month of emergency fiscal manager Kevyn Orr, issued 45 days after he was appointed this spring by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to take over the city's government.

June 2, 2013

GOP Trusted More on Economy and Most Other Issues

Voters continue to trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to handling the economy, the issue they consider most important to their vote. But for the first time since Election Day, the GOP has regained the trust advantage on the majority of major issues regularly tracked by 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

Three national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on May 15-16, May 19-20 & May 23-24, 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 1, 2013

Voters Give Biggest Trust Margin to GOP on Spending, Democrats on Environment

When it comes to voter trust, Republicans are far and away the leaders on handling government spending, while Democrats lead by a similar margin on environmental issues.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely Voters trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to dealing with government spending. Thirty-three percent (33%) trust Democrats more. This 16-point gap is the widest between the two parties since Rasmussen Reports started regularly tracking this issue in January. 

The GOP holds a similar 15-point advantage on issues affecting small business.  (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.

Three national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on May 15-16, 19-20 & 23-24, 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 1, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Endine June 1, 2013

Health care and housing are hotter topics for many Americans these days than the growing controversies surrounding the Obama administration.

May 31, 2013

33% Say Now’s a Good Time to Sell a Home in Their Area

As confidence among homeowners improves, more Americans than ever say now is a good time for someone to sell a house where they live.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of U.S. Adults believe now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a home. That’s up three points from last month and the highest level measured in more than four years of regular tracking. But 45% still say now is not the time to sell a home in their area. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 24-25, 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.

May 31, 2013

26% Expect Murder Verdict in Trayvon Martin Case

With the trial in the sensational Trayvon Martin case just two weeks away, Americans are closely divided over whether the man who shot the Florida teen last year should be found guilty of murder.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of American Adults believe Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman should be convicted of murder for shooting Martin. Nearly as many (29%) think he was acting in self-defense. But a sizable 40% 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 Adults was conducted on May 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.

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May 31, 2013

Watergate Amnesia, the 'Nixonian Slur and Other Big Lies By Joe Conason

Let's state this very simply, so everybody will understand. The notion that Barack Obama is "Nixonian" -- or that his administration's recent troubles bear any resemblance to "Watergate" -- is the biggest media lie since the phony "Whitewater scandal" crested during the Clinton presidency.

May 31, 2013

42% Think Holder Should Resign, 24% Disagree

Most voters don’t approve of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation of news reporters, and a plurality now thinks the department’s boss, Attorney General Eric Holder, should resign.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Holder, while 47% view him unfavorably. This includes nine percent (9%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 32% with a Very Unfavorable view. (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 May 29-30, 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.

May 31, 2013

Consumers Set to Repeal a Big Part of the Health Care Law by Scott Rasmussen

Most stories about the president's health care law these days are about the challenges of implementation and the complexity of setting up exchanges. But that's not where the action is. What's more important is that insurance companies, benefits consultants and others are actually reading the 2,000-page law to see what it says.

May 30, 2013

17% Favor Making FBI Wiretapping of Internet Communications Easier

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking legal permission to more easily wiretap Internet communications as telephone use declines, but most Americans aren't on board with this proposal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 17% of American Adults favor making it easier for the FBI to wiretap Internet communications such as instant messages, Facebook chats and e-mails. Sixty-seven percent (67%) oppose granting easier access to these types of communication. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 May 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.