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                            May 30, 201340% Give Obama Positive Marks on National Security, 39% Poor
Views of President Obama's handling of national security issues have now fallen to levels not seen since before the killing of Osama bin Laden two years ago.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now give the president good or excellent ratings for his handling of national security issues. That's down from 46% two weeks ago and the lowest his positives have been since late April 2011.  Nearly as many (39%) rate his national security performance as poor. This ties the finding earlier this month but marks a high he'd reached only once before in the previous two years. (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 27-28, 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 30, 201334% Think More Spending Will Improve Education in America
Most voters don't believe they are getting a good return on current education spending, and just one-in-three think more money will enhance student performance.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 13% of Likely U.S. Voters think American taxpayers are getting a good return on their investment in public school education. Sixty-eight percent (68%) don’t believe that to be true, while 19% are not sure. (To see survey questions 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 27-28, 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 30, 2013Unintended Consequences Often Bedevil Reformers By Michael Barone
A thoughtful reformer targets the traditional rules of an aging institution that has retarded progress in the past. Time to modernize those rules, the reformer says, and prevent obstruction in the future.

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                            May 30, 201325% Favor Affirmative Action Programs for College Admissions
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on a lawsuit challenging the University of Texas’ use of race as a factor in admissions. Most Americans believe affirmative action admissions policies discriminate against whites, as the lawsuit argues, and think it’s better for colleges and universities to accept the most qualified students.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults favor applying affirmative action policies to college admissions. Forty-four percent (44%) oppose such admissions policies, while 34% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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 30, 2013On Gun Control: 43% Trust GOP, 41% Trust Dems
Democrats’ efforts to strengthen gun control laws may not have had the political impact they’d hoped for: Voters are becoming more likely to trust Republicans than Democrats on the issue.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters trust the GOP more than Democrats when it comes to gun control. Slightly fewer (41%) still trust Democrats more. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on 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.

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                            May 29, 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 national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 26.
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 20-26, 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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                            May 29, 201365% View Boy Scouts Favorably, Down from 73% Last Year
Favorable opinions of the Boy Scouts of America are down, but most Americans still consider scouting good for young people.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults hold a favorable opinion of the Boy Scouts, down eight points from February 2012. The latest finding includes 28% with a Very Favorable view of the organization, but that compares to 40% early last year.
Twenty-five percent (25%) now view the Boy Scouts unfavorably, up from 17% in the previous survey. Unchanged in both surveys is the seven percent (7%) with a Very Unfavorable opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 26-27, 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 29, 201359% Prefer Less Health Insurance, Bigger Paycheck
While employers wrestle with ways to meet the requirements of President Obama’s health care law, most Americans want the option of less health insurance coverage and more take home pay.
If they had a choice, 59% of Likely U.S. Voters would choose a less expensive health insurance plan that covered only major medical expenses and a bigger paycheck. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% would opt instead for a more expensive insurance policy that covered just about everything and receive a smaller paycheck.  (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 27-28, 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 29, 2013Gas Myths By John Stossel
Plan to drive more this summer? Annoyed by the price of gas? Complaining that oil companies rip you off?

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                            May 29, 201345% Are Less Likely to Travel By Cruise Ship These Days
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship that caught fire near the Bahamas early Monday morning was just the latest in a string of high-profile problems that have been plaguing cruise ships, and Americans are taking notice.  
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults say they or a family member has taken a vacation on a cruise ship. (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 26-27, 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 28, 2013New High: 70% Think Struggling Homeowners Should Downsize
More Americans than ever believe that homeowners who can’t afford their mortgage payments should downsize rather than receive assistance from the government.
Just 18% of American Adults believe that if someone can’t afford his or her mortgage payments, it’s better for the government to assist in making those payments, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy percent (70%) believe those struggling homeowners should sell their homes and buy less expensive ones. Twelve percent (12%) 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 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.

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                            May 28, 201373% Look Forward to Going to Work
Most employed Americans look favorably on the balance between work and their personal lives and generally look forward to their workday. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Working Adults rate the balance in their lives between work, family and friends as good or excellent.  Only seven percent (7%) rate this balance as poor.  (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 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 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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                            May 28, 201327% Favor Moving Guantanamo Prisoners To A U.S. Prison
Voters are closely divided over President Obama’s plan to close the Guantanamo prison camp for terrorists, but most continue to oppose bringing some of those inmates to the United States to make closing the camp possible. Most also think it’s unlikely the Guantanamo facility will be closed a year from now.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the president’s decision to close the prison camp at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.  Slightly more (45%) disagree with the president’s plan. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 25-26, 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 28, 2013Obama Uses 1917 Espionage Act to Go After Reporters By Michael Barone
There is one problem with the entirely justified if self-interested media squawking about the Justice Department snooping into the phone records of multiple Associated Press reporters and Fox News's James Rosen.   
May 28, 2013A World of Rotten Tax Laws By Froma Harrop
Guy writes a film script full of four-letter words. But when the actors repeat them, he gets all huffy about the dirty language. An absurd reaction, wouldn't you say? But it's not so different from the scene in which our lawmakers scold corporate chieftains for exploiting tax loopholes their legislatures helped create.

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                            May 28, 201336% Favor Use of Drones To Stop Terrorists in the United States
Voters are now more supportive of using unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens overseas who pose a terrorist threat. A surprising number favor their use against terrorist threats in this country. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Likely U.S. Voters still favor the United States’ use of unmanned drone aircraft to kill terrorists, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But this marks a continuing downward trend from the 76% who approved of their use in February of last year just after President Obama acknowledged the program’s existence. Fourteen percent (14%) are opposed, with slightly more (17%) 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 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.

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                            May 27, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot:  Democrats 41%, Republicans 39%
Democrats are now back on top of the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending May 26.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% 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.
The Generic Congressional Ballot is one of several measures that capture the general public mood. It often shows trends that are similar to the president’s job approval ratings and the number who believe the country is generally heading in the right direction.
(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 20-26, 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.
May 27, 2013Scott Rasmussen and Larry Sabato Discuss Impact of Recent Controversies on Election 2014
Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, discusses how the recent controversies will impact the president’s agenda and the 2014 mid-term elections.
May 27, 201359% of New York City Voters Approve of Bloomberg’s Job Performance
New York City voters still approve of the job Mayor Michael Bloomberg is doing but are almost evenly divided when it comes to the “stop and frisk” policing policy he endorses.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 59% of Registered New York Voters at least somewhat approve of Bloomberg’s job performance, while 38% disapprove. This includes 16% who Strongly Approve and 19% who Strongly Disapprove. (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 Registered New York Voters was conducted on May 21-22, 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 27, 201360% Say Their Home Is Worth More Than What They Still Owe
Sixty percent (60%) of U.S. homeowners now say their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. That’s the highest finding so far this year and ties a high reached only once before in four years of regular surveying.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% still say they owe more than their home is worth. That’s unchanged from April and nearly identical to a year ago.  (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 697 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on May 24-25, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.