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                            December 25, 201260% Celebrate Christmas As Religious Holiday
Merry Christmas. Today is one of America’s most celebrated holidays although the celebration takes many forms and has different meanings for different people. Seventy-six percent (76%) of those who celebrate opened Christmas presents this morning. Nineteen percent (19%) opened them last night.
Sixty percent (60%) of Americans celebrate Christmas primarily as a religious holiday. To Christians, it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Fifty-seven percent (57%) will attend a religious service during the holiday season. (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 21, 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 24, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 44% Republicans 38%
Democrats now hold a six-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 23, 2012.
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 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 17-22, 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 24, 2012Here Comes the Cliff By Michael Barone
Last week, Republicans proved they are not a governing party. Next week we will see whether Democrats are.
A governing party would have, reluctantly, passed Speaker John Boehner's Plan B, which would have preserved the current tax rates on everyone with incomes under $1 million.
Passage would have put Senate Democrats on the spot, since they voted for a similar measure in 2010. They might have engaged in negotiations with Boehner that could have been more productive than his negotiations with Barack Obama this month and in the summer of 2011.

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                            December 24, 201242% Waited Till Final Weekend to Finish Holiday Shopping
If the stores seemed a little crowded the past few days, it’s partly because an amazing 42% of Americans had not finished their holiday shopping heading into the final weekend before Christmas.
In fact, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 20% waited until the final weekend to begin their shopping. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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 21, 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 23, 201217% Say There Is Too Much Individual Freedom In America
The Bill of Rights was written to ensure every citizen in this country his or her personal freedoms, but 17% of Americans believe there is too much individual freedom in the United States today.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of Adults do not believe this to be true, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Another 18% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Rasmussen Challenge has a winner!   
The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 19-20, 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 23, 2012Just 52% Now Want to Avoid Going Over Fiscal Cliff
While the failure of House Speaker John Boehner's “Plan B” sent shudders through the stock market and Washington’s political elite, it had little impact on public expectations.
A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe it is at least somewhat likely that Congress and the president will reach a deal to avert the December 31 “fiscal cliff” of big tax increases and automatic across-the-board spending cuts. The survey was conducted on Thursday and Friday night, meaning that just over half the survey was conducted after Republicans failed to find the votes for their Plan B to raise taxes on millionaires only. There was no significant change in public expectations before or after the legislative debacle.
Additionally, public expectations have changed little since Election Day. The number who think a deal is likely has stayed consistently between 49% and 51% prior to the latest results. The consistency of public opinion stands in marked contrast to the roller coaster assessments coming from “sources” in Washington. Just 17% of voters nationwide think a fiscal cliff deal is Very Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Rasmussen Challenge has a winner!  
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 20-21, 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 22, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 22, 2012
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and the question remains: Will taxes go up, or will they stay just the same?
Voter confidence is fading that Congress and the president will reach a deal to avoid the December 31 “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and automatic across-the-board spending cuts. But voters still see President Obama as more willing than congressional Republicans to accept a compromise, and that’s a big problem for the GOP.
As the fiscal cliff deadline approaches, Obama continues to enjoy some of the highest job approval ratings of his presidency. On the other hand, House Speaker John Boehner has now passed his Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi to become the least-liked major congressional leader, a title Pelosi has held for several years. 
Obama has turned the fiscal cliff issue into a debate about fairness. Overall, voters are evenly divided as to whether or not the economy is fair. Half believe it’s fair to lower-income Americans, only 41% think it is fair to the middle class.

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                            December 22, 201271% Think Mentally Ill Should Be Under Stricter Observation
Following the recent horrific elementary school shooting in Connecticut, most Americans think the mentally ill should be monitored more closely. But a majority doesn’t think government officials should be allowed to ban movies and games that feature excessive violence.A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 71% of Adults believe people diagnosed with a mental illness should be placed under stricter control and observation. Just 11% disagree, but another 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out the winner.
(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 19-20, 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 21, 2012What Americans Should Learn From the 'Republican Apocalypse' By Joe Conason
What may finally consume the House Republicans is their boundless contempt for the American public -- a contempt bluntly demonstrated in their refusal to consider any reasonable compromise with President Obama to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" on Dec. 31. They know from the election results (and every poll) that the public believes taxes should be raised on the wealthy. They know that the public wants bipartisan compromise. And they know that the approval rating of the House Republicans, in contrast to the president's upwardly trending numbers, are veering toward historic lows.
December 21, 2012Announcing the First Rasmussen Challenge Winner…
More than 15,000 people participated in this year’s first-ever Rasmussen Challenge, with an average of 2,900 people playing weekly. And now we have a winner – Bill Kerins of Bucks County, PA.

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                            December 21, 201246% Think America Overtaxed, 42% Disagree
Fewer voters than ever think the United States is overtaxed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the nation is overtaxed. But nearly as many (42%) disagree. Twelve percent (12%) 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 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.

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                            December 21, 201255% Favor Assault Weapons Ban, But 62% Oppose Complete Gun Ban
Most Americans favor taking semi-automatic and assault-type weapons off the market but also are wary of a society in which only the government has guns. Very few would opt for a neighborhood where they couldn’t own a gun. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons. Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree and oppose such a ban. (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 19-20, 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 21, 2012Boehner Is Now Less Popular Than Pelosi
House Speaker John Boehner has now unseated his Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi as the least-liked major congressional leader, a title Pelosi has held for several years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now view Boehner unfavorably, while 50% feel that way about Pelosi. Just 31% have a favorable opinion of the Ohio congressman, compared to 37% who look favorably on the San Francisco Democrat.

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                            December 21, 2012Boehner’s Plan B Hurt the GOP By Scott Rasmussen
President Obama and congressional Democrats are still winning the messaging battle in the debate over the impending "fiscal cliff."

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                            December 20, 201246% Consider the Holiday Season Joyous, 42% Stressful
As Christmas nears, adults remain closely divided as to whether they find the holidays joyous or stressful, but most still aren't having trouble getting in the holiday spirit.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults consider the holiday season joyous. Nearly as many (42%) find the season stressful instead. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure how they feel about the season. (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 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.

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                            December 20, 201259% Believe Tougher Gun Control Laws Are Coming
Americans are now evenly divided over the need for stronger anti-gun laws following last week's elementary school massacre, and most think such laws are at least somewhat likely. They're much less confident that limits will be placed on violent movies and video games. 
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of American Adults finds that 59% believe it’s at least somewhat likely that Congress and the president will create tougher gun control laws, but that includes just 22% who feel they are Very Likely.  Thirty-three percent (33%) view stricter anti-gun laws as unlikely, with 17% who say they are Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Rasmussen Challenge winner will be posted tomorrow! Check back to find out how you did. 
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 20, 201259% 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.
December 20, 2012Tim 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.
December 20, 2012Online 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.    

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                            December 20, 201221% 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.