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January 22, 2013More Thoughts on Aaron Swartz By Froma Harrop
Open-access people, meet the copyright laws. Much has been written about Aaron Swartz, the computer genius who killed himself after being charged with a variety of cybercrimes. Some ardent friends accuse the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of having cruelly called in the police to deal with him.
By then, MIT had foiled multiple attempts to illegally download academic journals and realized that someone had broken in to a wire closet to achieve the same end. MIT security analysts had also detected activity from China on the netbook being used, making them extra wary.

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                            January 22, 2013Scott Rasmussen's NY Times Bestseller "The People's Money" Now Available in Paperback
Scott Rasmussen's most recent book, "The People's Money," which made the New York Times bestseller list in 2011, is a call to arms for voters to be heard and an ultimatum for a grossly out-of-touch American political system. It's one of the most informed, provocative and yet hopeful books on the economic state of the union yet written, and now it's available in paperback.

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                            January 21, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 44%, Republicans 39%
Democrats hold a five-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending January 20, 2013.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% 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.
(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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from January 14-20, 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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                            January 21, 201354% Think State, Local Governments Should Have Property Insurance
Most Americans believe local and state governments should obtain insurance to financially protect their public properties and feel this would help lower disaster relief costs to taxpayers which run into the billions of dollars.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults believe that, regardless of current policy, state and local governments should buy property insurance to financially protect buildings, parks and other assets.  Sixteen percent (16%) disagree, but 30% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here).
 
Win an iPad:  Take the Rasmussen Challenge.  A new question will be available tomorrow, January 22. 
(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 January 18-19, 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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                            January 21, 201353% Say Economic Growth More Important Than Economic Fairness
Most voters see economic growth as more important than economic fairness but recognize that there is a conflict between the two.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think economic growth is more important than economic fairness. Thirty-five percent (35%) think economic fairness is more important. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. This remains generally unchanged from December but is down from a high of 62% who rated economic growth more important in July. (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.
This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.

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                            January 21, 201341% Think U.S. President Most Powerful Person in the World, 44% Disagree
As President Obama formally begins his second term today, voters are almost evenly divided as to whether or not the president of the United States is the most powerful person in the world, but half think he has the right amount of power.
Twenty-one percent (21%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. president doesn’t have enough power, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. A slightly larger number (28%) think the president has too much power. A plurality (47%) rates his level of power as about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out and check back for a new question tomorrow.
This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.
January 21, 2013GOP Puts Spotlight on Feckless Senate Democrats By Michael Barone
Have the House Republicans come up with a winning strategy on the debt ceiling and spending cuts? Or just a viable one? Maybe so.
They certainly need one that is at least the latter, if not the former. Barack Obama is up in the polls since the election, as most re-elected presidents have been. The most recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows him with 52 percent approval and 44 percent disapproval. Other public polls have similar results.
In contrast, the NBC/WSJ poll reports that only 26 percent have positive feelings about the Republican Party and 51 negative feelings. Toward Speaker John Boehner only 18 percent have positive feelings and 37 percent negative feelings.

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                            January 21, 201380% View Martin Luther King, Jr. Favorably
Americans still hold strongly favorable views of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults view King favorably, while just 13% hold an unfavorable opinion of him. This includes 47% with a Very Favorable view and four percent (4%) with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 January 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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                            January 20, 201357% Think Enforcing Current Gun Laws More Important Than Creating New Laws
Most Americans feel it is more important for the government to enforce existing gun control laws than to create new ones. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 32% of American Adults believe creation of new gun control laws is more important. Fifty-seven percent (57%) think more emphasis should be put on stricter enforcement of existing gun control laws. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 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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                            January 20, 201364% Are More Likely to Watch a Movie at Home
Most movie goers prefer to watch a movie in the comfort of their own home, and when a new film comes out, they wait to hear about it from friends and family before seeing it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of movie goers are more likely to watch movies at home than in the theater. One-in-three (30%) are more likely to go to the theater. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The national survey of 500 Movie Goers was conducted on January 15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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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                            January 19, 2013Fans Pick Adrian Peterson, RG3 for NFL Awards
NFL Fans are divided as to who the Most Valuable Player should be this season, but the choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year is clear.
Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings is the MVP pick for 23% of football fans. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly as many (18%) pick Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos. Robert Griffin III—known as RG3—is third with 10% thinking he should win the MVP award. (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 941 Professional Football Fans was conducted on January 15, 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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                            January 19, 2013What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending January 19, 2013
So what’s the state of the union as President Obama prepares for the beginning of his second term on Monday?
Nearly six-out-of-10 voters plan to watch at least some of Obama's second inauguration live on Monday, but that’s a smaller crowd than planned to tune in four years ago. Most Democrats and unaffiliated voters intend to watch at least some of the ceremony; 61% of Republicans don’t plan to watch any at all.
Still, over 50% of all likely voters approve of the job Obama is doing as he continues to earn some of the highest job approval ratings of his presidency.

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                            January 18, 2013“Lincoln” Is the Oscar Favorite
Academy Award nominations were announced last week, and even though the 85th annual awards show does not air until February 24, most movie goers already have their winners picked. But only 44% say their favorite film of 2012 is an Oscar nominee for best picture, and even fewer think artistic merit is the biggest reason for a film to be nominated.
Thirty-nine percent (39%) of movie goers think Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” will take home the Best Picture prize come Oscar night, while 18% expect the blockbuster film adaptation of “Les Miserables” to win the prized statue, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s followed closely by “Argo,” the dramatization of the 1980 attempt to extract fugitive American diplomats from Iran, with 12% support. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The national survey of 500 Movie Goers was conducted on January 15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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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                            January 18, 201338% Pick Patriots to Win Super Bowl
The National Football League playoffs are down to four teams and the New England Patriots are the team football fans see as most likely to be the last team standing.  However, they are also the team football fans would least like to see win the Super Bowl.
A new Rasmussen Reports survey of 941 professional football fans finds that 38% think the Patriots will win their fourth Super Bowl title this year.  Thirty-two percent (32%) of fans believe the San Francisco 49ers will win the Super Bowl.  Just 11% see the Atlanta Falcons as champions and 10% think the Baltimore Ravens will win. (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 941 Professional Football Fans was conducted on January 15, 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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                            January 18, 201365% See Gun Rights As Protection Against Tyranny
Two-out-of-three Americans recognize that their constitutional right to own a gun was intended to ensure their freedom.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults think the purpose of the Second Amendment is to make sure that people are able to protect themselves from tyranny. Only 17% disagree, while another 18% 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 January 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.
January 18, 2013Aaron Swartz Was Accused of Real Crimes By Froma Harrop
Aaron Swartz: Robin Hood or John Dillinger? He was not as virtuous as Robin and hardly as bad as John. Call the computer genius saint or sinner, few will argue with labeling his suicide at age 26 a "tragic loss."
His friends in the "free culture movement" now accuse federal authorities of having driven Swartz to kill himself over "baseless" charges. But he did break into a computer-wiring closet at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and download academic papers for free distribution to the world. Had he been a street kid ripping off copper pipes, as opposed to tech star "liberating" information, would there have been much outcry over a prosecutor's threat of jail time?

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                            January 18, 2013Searching for Answers After Newtown By Scott Rasmussen
Following the school shooting horror in Newtown, Conn., our nation shares a heartfelt belief that something must be done. Polls instantly showed an increase in support for stricter gun control laws. Fifty-one percent of American adults expressed that view in Rasmussen Reports polling.

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                            January 17, 201349% Think U.S. Should Withdraw Troops from Europe
As Congress and the president consider possible cuts in defense spending, half (49%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should withdraw its troops from Western Europe.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% disagree. One-in-five (20%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 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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                            January 17, 201349% Are Not Willing To Pay More to Fight Global Warming
Most voters still consider global warming a serious problem, but less than half are willing to pay any more in taxes or higher utility bills to do something about it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters consider global warming to be at least a somewhat serious problem, while just 34% regard it as not serious. This includes 37% who view global warming as a Very Serious problem and 14% who describe it as Not At All Serious. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 5, 2012 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.
January 17, 201349% Are Not Willing To Pay More to Fight Global Warming
Most voters still consider global warming a serious problem, but less than half are willing to pay any more in taxes or higher utility bills to do something about it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters consider global warming to be at least a somewhat serious problem, while just 34% regard it as not serious. This includes 37% who view global warming as a Very Serious problem and 14% who describe it as Not At All Serious. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 5, 2012 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.