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                            December 6, 201252% Rate Obama as a Good or Excellent Leader
Most voters now consider President Obama a good or excellent leader.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Obama that way, the highest finding since May 2009 and the first time that number has broken the 50% mark since June of that same year. Just 33% rate the president’s leadership as poor, the least critical assessment since January 2011. (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 2-3, 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 6, 201210% Think Congress is Doing a Good or Excellent Job
Congress is back in session after the election, but voters still aren't impressed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of Likely Voters rate Congress’ job performance as good or excellent, while 56% say they are doing a poor job.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)  
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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 6, 201219% Favor New Government Spending to Stimulate Economy
President Obama is calling for $200 billion in economic stimulus spending in his proposal to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” but few voters believe increased government spending will stimulate the economy. Most think tax cuts are the better way to go.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the government should increase federal spending to help stimulate the economy. Sixty-two percent (62%) oppose new spending as an economic stimulus. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 December 4-5, 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.
December 6, 2012Higher Tax Rates Won't Support Entitlement State By Michael Barone
The fiscal cliff negotiations seem to be foundering on Barack Obama's insistence on higher tax rates on high earners and House Republican leaders' insistence on opposing them. The president believes he has a mandate from voters for his position, and House Republicans believe they have a mandate from voters for theirs.
December 6, 2012Feds Subsidize Risk on Farms as Well as Beaches By Froma Harrop
As global warming causes more serious and frequent shoreline flooding, indignation rises over federal programs helping owners of beach properties rebuild in places the ocean wants to take back. Superstorm Sandy was a lollapalooza in terms of waterfront damage and demands on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's resources.

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                            December 6, 201215% Plan to Give More to Charity This Holiday Season
Americans will be giving more to charity this holiday season compared to last year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults plan to give more to charity, while 33% intend to give less. Forty-seven percent (47%) say their rate of charitable giving will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 3-4, 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 5, 201241% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the third week in a row, 41% 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, December 2.
That's unchanged from the previous two weeks and remains the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency. The latest finding is up 17 points from the beginning of the year and up 24 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 November 26-December 2, 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.

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                            December 5, 201252% Support Candidate Who Promises To Raise Taxes On Wealthy
President Obama is standing firm on his position of raising taxes on the nation’s top earners, and most voters say they support a candidate who takes that stance. The president is also proposing new government spending, but voters still don't think that's a good idea.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they would vote for a candidate who promises to raise taxes only on the rich rather than one who promises to oppose all tax increases, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Thirty-four percent (34%) would rather vote for a candidate who opposes all tax increases, while 14% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. This week’s entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 30-December 1, 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 5, 201215% Have Finished Their Holiday Shopping
Now that December’s here, Americans are getting more in the mood for shopping.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults now have started their holiday shopping, up from 47% a week ago and 32% in mid-November. Thirty-seven percent (37%) still haven’t started shopping yet. (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 3-4, 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 5, 2012Food Bunk By John Stossel
With America's "fiscal cliff" approaching, pundits wring their hands over the supposed catastrophe that government spending cuts will bring. A scare newsletter called "Food Poisoning Bulletin" warns that if government reduces food inspections, "food will be less safe ... (because) marginal companies ... (will) cut corners."

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                            December 5, 201246% Favor Allowing Religious Exemption for Contraceptive Mandate, 41% Oppose
Voters are narrowly supportive of allowing businesses and religious organizations to opt out of government-mandated free birth control for their women employees if religious beliefs are at stake. As part of the new national health care law, the Obama administration has mandated that all companies must have health insurance coverage that provides no-cost contraceptives for women.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that if providing such coverage violates the deeply held beliefs of a church, religious organization or business owner, they should be allowed to opt out of providing coverage for contraceptives.
But nearly as many voters (41%) disagree and oppose anyone being allowed to opt out for religious reasons. 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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 5, 201239% Say Government Should Do Nothing For Long-Term Unemployed
More Americans than ever (39%) now think that if people can’t find work for an extended period of time, the government should do nothing at all to help them, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only eight percent (8%) feel their unemployment benefits should be extended indefinitely, down four points from October and tying the all-time low finding in over two years of regular surveying.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Thirty-two percent (32%) of Adults believe the government should pay for their retraining, tying April’s high.  Just 12% think the government should hire the long-term unemployed.
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. This week’s entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
(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 December 1-2, 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 4, 201282% Favor Celebrating At Least Some Religious Holidays in School
Despite continuing legal challenges, more adults than ever favor the celebration of all religions in the public schools. Most also still believe religious displays should be permitted on public land.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American adults think at least some religious holidays should be celebrated in public school. That includes 50% who believe all religious holidays should be celebrated. Just 15% think public schools should not recognize any religious holidays.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. This week’s entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 29-30, 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 4, 2012Rasmussen Employment Index Slips A Point in November
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence dipped a point in November but remains seven points above August’s 10-month low of 72.0.
At 79.0, the Employment Index is two points below the level measured in January but is up two points from this time last year.
(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 8,840 working Americans was conducted in November 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 4, 2012Voters Strongly Support Individual Choice When It Comes to Health Insurance
Voters tend to agree with the federal government setting standards for health insurance coverage but think individuals should have the right to choose reduced coverage if it saves them money.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think the government should require every health insurance company and health insurance plan to cover the exact same set of medical procedures. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and oppose such a mandate. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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 4, 2012Meet the Undressed: Newswomen on TV By Froma Harrop
On a recent "Meet the Press," host David Gregory presided in a tailored jacket and tie. Panelists Al Sharpton, David Brooks and Ken Burns appeared similarly professional. But the two female panelists, Andrea Mitchell and Carly Fiorina, seemed ready for cocktails, not coffee, in form-fitting dresses, arms naked to the world.

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                            December 4, 201260% Think Middle-Class Tax Increases Likely in Any Budget Deal
Most voters still think a middle-class tax hike is likely in any deal that President Obama and Congress reach to avoid the January 1 “fiscal cliff.” They view long-term spending cuts as much less likely.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters believe middle-class taxes are also likely to go up if the president and Congress agree to a plan that raises taxes on wealthy Americans and cuts spending. Thirty-two percent (32%) see a middle-class tax hike as unlikely. This includes 31% who consider it Very Likely but just five percent (5%) who think it’s Not At All Likely. (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 November 30-December 1, 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 3, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 47%, Republicans 36%
Democrats have now jumped to an 11-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 2, 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 36% would choose the Republican instead.
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. 
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from November 26-December 2, 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.

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                            December 3, 201253% Worry About Toy Safety This Holiday Season
Concern about the safety of toys is at an all-time high this holiday season, but most Americans admit they have never purchased a defective toy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of most toys that are being sold this holiday season, including 23% who are Very Concerned. Forty-one percent (41%) don't share that concern, with 10% who are Not At All Concerned. (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 November 29-30, 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 3, 2012New High: 43% Expect Higher Unemployment Next Year
While opinions of the current job market have improved from the last several months, more Americans than ever expect a higher unemployment rate a year from now.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of American Adults believe unemployment will be higher in a year's time, up 13 points from October and the highest level of pessimism measured in several years. Thirty percent (30%) expect unemployment to be lower a year from now, while 23% think it will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. 
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 1-2, 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.