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                            May 2, 201349% Rate Quality of U.S. Environment as Good or Excellent
Half of U.S. voters give the environment positive ratings, but far fewer believe it is getting better. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely Voters rate the quality of the environment in the United States as good or excellent. Just 11% think the environment is poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 29-30, 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 2, 201347% Think Full Housing Recovery More Than Three Years Away
Americans continue to worry about the economy but remain slightly more confident in the full recovery of the housing market.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults still think it will take more than three years for housing prices to fully recover from the downturn that began in 2008. But this is the second month in a row that number has dipped below the 50% mark and, generally speaking, reflects slightly more optimism than Americans have had since mid-2010. Seventeen percent (17%) think it will take the housing market three years to fully recover; 14% say two years, and six percent (6%) believe the housing market can recover in just one year. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on April 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 2, 20135% Say Congress Made Up of Best and Brightest
Most U.S. voters don’t think that members of Congress and their staffers are the sharpest tools in the shed. Perhaps that’s why most think they are overpaid.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only five percent (5%) of Likely Voters believe that Congress members and their staffs are the best and brightest in the nation.  Seventy-eight percent (78%) disagree. 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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 2, 2013Overdue Questions: What Might Be Missing From Bush's Presidential Library By Joe Conason
Like all such monuments that former presidents construct to edify the public, the George W. Bush Presidential Center -- opened with great ceremony in Texas last week -- is mounted from its subject's point of view.
May 2, 2013Obama's Blink on Syria Could Bring Peril to Allies By Michael Barone
"We're eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked," Secretary of State Dean Rusk famously said during the Cuban missile crisis.   

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                            May 2, 2013Voters Favor Choices for Prayer, Uniforms in Schools
Most voters continue to think parents should be able to choose between schools based on such things as uniforms, prayer and how long the school year lasts.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 74% of Likely Voters think parents should have a choice of whether to send their children to schools that allow prayer and those that don’t. Just 16% say parents should not have this choice, while another 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

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                            May 1, 201330% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the second 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, April 28.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters now think the country is heading down the wrong track, also unchanged from the week before. From January 2009 until October 2012, belief that the country was on the wrong track ranged from 55% to 80%, but it tracked in the low 50s from just before Election Day until early December.
(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 April 22-28, 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 1, 2013President Obama’s Full Month Rating Slips Again in April
When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.
For the month of April, the president's Total Job Approval Rating fell another two points from 52% in March to 50%.  That’s the lowest level measured since last September.   
In December, it reached 56%, the highest level since May 2009. Prior to the election, that rating had remained in the narrow range of 44% to 49% for two years straight.
May 1, 2013Just 29% Say Boston Suspects Acted Alone
Prior to today's arrests of three more individuals connected to the Boston Marathon bombings, many voters already believed the Tsarnaev brothers had help.
Just 29% of voters think the Boston bombing suspects acted alone. Forty-nine percent (49%) feel it’s more likely that they were part of a larger conspiracy. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of voters believe it’s likely that the Boston Marathon bombers received training, support and encouragement from terrorist organizations. That includes 40% who think it’s Very Likely. Just 18% say it’s not very or Not At Likely. Sixteen percent (16%) aren’t sure.

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                            May 1, 2013Obama Job Approval Among Gun Owners: 39%
Just about half of all Americans think the country needs stricter gun control laws, but the divide between gun owners and others is deeper than any single issue.
Among voters who are gun owners, just 39% approve of the way President Obama is doing his job, according to new Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveying. Sixty percent (60%) disapprove. The numbers are reversed among voters who don’t own a gun: 65% approve, and 32% disapprove.
(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. 

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                            May 1, 201317% Favor More U.S. Involvement in Syria
Voters still oppose greater U.S. involvement in the political crisis in Syria and believe more strongly than ever that the United States should not help Syrian rebels militarily even if the government has attacked them with chemical weapons. The Political Class, however, disagrees.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should get more directly involved in the Syrian crisis. Fifty percent (50%) believe the United States should leave the situation alone. Thirty-three percent (33%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 29-30, 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 1, 2013Train Wreck Ahead By John Stossel
Most Americans -- even those who are legislators -- know very little about the details of President Obama's Affordable Care Act, so-called Obamacare. Next year, when it goes into effect, we will learn the hard way.
Many people lazily assume that the law will do roughly what it promises: give insurance to the uninsured and lower the cost of health care by limiting spending on dubious procedures.
Don't count on it.
Consider just the complexity: The act itself is more than 906 pages long, and again and again in those 906 pages are the words, "the Secretary shall promulgate regulations ..."

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                            May 1, 201359% Favor Free Market Over Government Control To Reduce Health Care Costs
Voters have consistently said for years that cost is their biggest health care concern, and most still believe the free market, not government control, is the best way to keep those costs down. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters think free market competition would do more to reduce health care costs than more government regulation. Only 23% disagree and believe more government intervention in the health care market is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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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                            April 30, 201331% Think U.S. Economy Will Be Stronger A Year From Now
Americans continue to express little short- or long-term confidence in the U.S. economy. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults think the economy will be stronger five years from today. That's up from an all-time low of 36% four weeks ago and more in line with findings for the past year. Twenty-seven percent (27%) predict that the economy will be weaker five years from now, while 17% think it will be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on April 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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                            April 30, 2013Rasmussen Employment Index Hits 2013 High
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence rose six points in April to 90.7, the highest level of the year.
Worker confidence is up a full 10 points from April 2012 and is up 16 points from April 2011. In December of last year, the Index hit a five-year high of 91.2, but it had steadily fallen the first three months of this year. December marked the last time the Employment Index reached the 90-point mark.
(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 9,162 working Americans was conducted in April 2013 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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                            April 30, 201356% Think Government Agencies Cut Popular Programs First
Last week’s airport delays prompted complaints that the federal government was targeting areas that hurt the public the most to increase opposition to government spending cuts. Most Americans agree and also think Congress’ quick response to the delays highlights how the legislators look out for themselves first.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think that when government agencies are forced to cut their budgets, they generally cut popular programs first to make the cuts seem more significant. Just 17% disagree, but 27% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 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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                            April 30, 201332% Think Obama Administration Has Done Good or Excellent Job Explaining Benghazi
Most voters believe the murder in Benghazi, Libya last year of the U.S. ambassador there was a terrorist act and needs to be thoroughly investigated. But they give the Obama administration lackluster marks for its explanations so far.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 78% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat important to find out exactly what happened in the events surrounding the murder of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and others in Benghazi, Libya, last September. That includes 51% who regard it as Very Important. Seventeen percent (17%) don't feel a full investigation of what happened in Libya is important, but that includes only four percent (4%) who say it's Not At All Important. (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 April 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.
April 30, 2013Legal Pot Means More Money for States, Less for Gangs By Froma Harrop
The good things that should happen after marijuana is legalized are happening in Colorado. In November, voters in Colorado -- and Washington state -- legalized pot for recreational use. (Many states allow medical use of marijuana.)
What are the good things?
For starters, money, money, money for the state coffers. As of last week, lawmakers in Denver were still tussling over how heavily to tax marijuana sales. A leading plan centers on excise and sales taxes totaling 30 percent. The tax can't go so high that it encourages a black market.

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                            April 30, 20132% Favor Congress Exempting Itself From Health Care Law
Voters couldn't be much clearer: Members of Congress and their staffers must be subject to the full requirements of President Obama’s national health care law, just like the rest of us.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only two percent (2%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe Congress members and their staff should be exempt from the health care law. Ninety-five percent (95%) think they should face the same requirements as all other working Americans. (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 April 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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                            April 29, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%
For the first time since before the presidential election, Republicans now hold a one-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending April 28.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat 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 April 22-28, 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.