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December 20, 2012

59% Think Tax Hikes on Millionaires Not Enough

Republican congressional leaders have given ground in the “fiscal cliff” negotiations and proposed raising taxes on those who make more than a million dollars a year, but most voters don’t think that goes far enough.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters favor House Speaker John Boehner’s “Plan B” to extend the Bush administration tax cuts for everyone who makes less than a million annually. Just 24% are opposed, with 14% more 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 December 18-19, 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.

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December 20, 2012

Tim Scott and Daniel Inouye Show a Better America By Michael Barone

On Monday, the U.S. Senate got its newest member and lost its most senior member.

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December 20, 2012

Online and in Your Face By Froma Harrop

They don't like the crowds, the traffic, the parking chaos. They dislike the sameness -- the same mall chain stores piping in the same holiday music and selling the same made-in-China sweaters, whether in Spokane, Indianapolis or Raleigh. They stress out when waiting for someone to take their payment. Small wonder that 45 percent of consumers are doing at least some holiday shopping this year via the Internet, according to the Deloitte consulting firm.    

December 20, 2012

21% Think Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House Where They Live

Twenty-one percent (21%) of American Adults think now is a good time for someone in their area to be selling a house, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's up from 16% a month ago and the highest level of confidence in the local housing market recorded in regular surveys since April 2009.  Just nine percent (9%) were that upbeat a year ago.

Interestingly, homeowners are slightly less convinced than others that now is a good time to sell.

Sixty percent (60%) of all adults disagree and still think now is not a good time to sell. Nineteen percent (19%) aren't 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 nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 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.

December 19, 2012

37% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, December 16.

That's down from 38% last week and 41% the previous three weeks. After Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course initially tracked in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 13 points from the beginning of the year and up 15 points from a year ago.

(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 December 10-16, 2012. 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.

December 19, 2012

33% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job

One-out-of-three Likely U.S. Voters (33%) continue to give the U.S. Supreme Court positive ratings.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 20% rate the high court’s job performance as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This is the last week to take part in the 2012 Rasmussen Challenge! Submit your answer by 11:59pm ET today.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 16-17, 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.

December 19, 2012

Following School Shooting, 86% Want More Action to Identify and Treat Mental Illness

Americans want something done following the horrific news from Sandy Hook Elementary School last week, and a plurality believes a greater emphasis on mental health issues will be the most effective way to prevent such tragedies.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Americans believe more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to prevent incidents like last Friday’s school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think stricter gun control laws will do the most to prevent such shootings, while 15% put the emphasis on limits on violent movies and video games. 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 17-18, 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.

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December 19, 2012

It's the Spending, Stupid! By John Stossel

Listening to progressive media pundits, I'd think the most evil man in the universe is Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform. His crime? He heads a movement that asks political candidates to pledge not to raise taxes.

I think Grover accomplished a lot. But I wish he'd convinced politicians to pledge not to increase spending.

President Obama says raising taxes to cut the deficit is a "balanced" approach.

Balanced ...

December 19, 2012

Three-Year High: 60% Think Their Home Worth More Than Mortgage

There has been a sharp increase in short-term housing market confidence over the past month.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of homeowners now believe their home is worth more than their mortgage. That’s up five points from a month ago and the highest level of confidence since October 2009. Only 33% think their home is worth less than what they owe. (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 676 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 2012 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.

December 18, 2012

41% Think a Child Born in the U.S. to an Illegal Immigrant Should Be a Citizen

More voters than ever think that if a woman comes to the United States illegally and gives birth to a child here, that child should be a U.S. citizen. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters share that view, up from September’s previous high of 37%. But 51% still disagree and do not think the child in that situation should be granted citizenship. (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 December 14-15, 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.

December 18, 2012

Voters Divided Over Tax Pledge, Republicans Want It Honored

American voters are evenly divided about candidates who sign a pledge not to raise taxes. However, Republicans who are represented by a pledge signer overwhelmingly want their Congressman to honor the pledge.

Forty percent (40%) of voters nationwide would vote for a candidate who signed a pledge not to raise taxes over a candidate who refused to sign. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% would prefer the candidate who didn’t sign an anti-tax pledge.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This is the last week to take part in the 2012 Rasmussen Challenge! Submit your answer by 11:59pm ET tomorrow.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 16-17, 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.

December 18, 2012

41% Believe Economy is Fair to Middle Class, 56% Say It’s Not

Half of all voters believe the economy is fair to lower-income Americans but fewer think it is fair to the middle class.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely Voters believe the economy is at least somewhat fair to lower-income Americans, while 46% say it is not. (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 December 12-13, 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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December 18, 2012

Real "Realism" on Gun Control By Froma Harrop

The usual gun extremists largely went into hiding this weekend after the obscenity in Connecticut. The National Rifle Association offered only a flowery expression of sympathy for the victims. Real brave, aren't they?

One foe of gun control who did speak out was Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican. He said the "more realistic discussion" is "how do we target people with mental illness who use firearms?"

December 18, 2012

Confidence in Fiscal Cliff Deal Slips to 49%

As the fiscal cliff deal nears, confidence that a deal can be reached has slipped a bit. Voters still see President Obama as more willing than Congressional Republicans to accept a compromise.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 49% of Likely Voters say it’s even somewhat likely a deal will be reached. That’s down from 51% at the end of November.  Forty-five percent (45%) see a deal as unlikely. (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 December 14-15, 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.

December 17, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 46%, Republicans 38%

Democrats now hold an eight-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 16, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% 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 December 10-16, 2012. 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.

December 17, 2012

63% Have Made Donation to Help People in Need

Three-out-of-four Americans have given to church, charitable or other non-profit groups over the past six months.

Among those who regularly attend church or other religious services, nine-out-of-ten have made charitable contributions over the past six months. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, among those who occasionally attend church, 71% have made such a donation. Among those who rarely or never attend religious services, 60% have made charitable contributions. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 13-14, 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.

December 17, 2012

47% Say U.S. Economy is Fair, 49% Disagree

American voters are evenly divided as to whether or not the economy is fair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% believe the economy is fair and 49% disagree. Those figures include nine percent (9%) who say it is Very Fair and 13% who see the economy as Not at All Fair.  (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 December 12-13, 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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December 17, 2012

While Feds Dawdle, States Tackle Fiscal Problems By Michael Barone

Democrats in Washington declare that they will absolutely, positively allow no changes whatever in the nation's unsustainable entitlement programs -- Social Security and Medicare.

But out in the states, politicians of both parties aren't averting their gaze from impending fiscal crises. They are working to change policies that put state governments on an unsustainable trajectory.

The most obvious example was the passage of a right-to-work law last week in Michigan, the birthplace of the United Auto Workers union.

December 17, 2012

40% Favor Single-Payer Health Care System, 44% Oppose

Voters are now almost evenly divided over the establishment of a single-payer health care system under which the federal government provides coverage for everyone.

Forty percent (40%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor a single-payer system, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-four percent (44%) oppose the creation of such a system. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (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 December 10-11, 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.

December 16, 2012

Most Will Send Cards, Go to a Party This Christmas Season

Parties are a highlight of this Christmas season for many people, but traditional caroling isn’t nearly as popular.

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of American Adults celebrate Christmas in their family, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Sixty percent (60%) plan to attend a Christmas party this year.

Fifty-four percent (54%) will send out Christmas cards.

But just nine percent (9%) say they will go Christmas caroling.

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

(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 nationwide was conducted on December 11-12, 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.