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                            August 16, 2012Wisconsin: Romney 48%, Obama 47%
The presidential race in Wisconsin is a little tighter this month following Mitt Romney's selection of hometown Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Romney with 48% support to President Obama’s 47%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and two percent (2%) 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 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on August 15, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
August 16, 2012The Mixed Legacy of Helen Gurley Brown By Froma Harrop
It took a poor girl from the Ozarks to look upon the candy store of sex and money that was postwar urban America and rearrange the shelves. Helen Gurley Brown was she, the brains behind the racy Cosmopolitan magazine empire and author of the 1962 sensation "Sex and the Single Girl." Was her influence good, bad or an in-between thing? Answer to come.

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                            August 16, 201264% Favor Use of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places
Americans continue to favor the widespread use of surveillance cameras for safety and security purposes except at traffic lights.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults believe there should be surveillance cameras at all major public spaces such as train stations, parks and sports stadiums. Only 27% disagree and oppose the widespread use of such cameras. (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 August 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.
August 15, 201229% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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, August 12.
The latest finding is up two points from the previous week.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports August 6-12, 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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                            August 15, 201254% Say Most School Textbooks More Concerned With Political Correctness Than Accuracy
A majority of Americans continues to feel school textbooks focus more on political correctness than on the accuracy of the information. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Adults think school textbooks are more concerned about presenting information in a politically correct manner. Twenty-two percent (22%) think most textbooks are more concerned with accurately providing information. Both findings are down slightly from October of last year. Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 August 9-10, 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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                            August 15, 201283% Are Confident Their Power Company Can Handle High Demand
Extreme weather and high demand have been causing major power outages around the country over the past year, but most Americans are confident that their utility company can meet the challenge. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 83% are confident the company that provides their electricity can handle the high power demands of heat waves and cold snaps. That includes 37% who are Very Confident. Just 11% don’t share that confidence. (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 August 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.
August 15, 2012Take Advantage of New Limited-Time Discount on Yearly Rasmussen Reader Accounts
Asbury Park, NJ – August 15, 2012 — The Rasmussen Reader subscription service has grown dramatically since we introduced it last year, and we'd like to thank our visitors for their continued support by again offering a 12-month Rasmussen Reader Subscription for $24.95 -- a savings of 28% off the regular yearly price. This limited time offer runs from August 15, 2012 - October 1, 2012. Sign up today!
 The Rasmussen Reader promotional offer is open to all site visitors, regardless of whether you are opening a new yearly subscription or already have an active monthly or yearly account. For those who have an existing account, this $24.95 offer will act as a 12-month extension to your current plan.
August 15, 2012Take Advantage of New Limited-Time Discount on Yearly Rasmussen Reader Accounts
Asbury Park, NJ – August 15, 2012 — The Rasmussen Reader subscription service has grown dramatically since we introduced it last year, and we'd like to thank our visitors for their continued support by again offering a 12-month Rasmussen Reader Subscription for $24.95 -- a savings of 28% off the regular yearly price. This limited time offer runs from August 15, 2012 - October 1, 2012. Sign up today!
 The Rasmussen Reader promotional offer is open to all site visitors, regardless of whether you are opening a new yearly subscription or already have an active monthly or yearly account. For those who have an existing account, this $24.95 offer will act as a 12-month extension to your current plan.
August 15, 201251% Expect Most Reporters To Help Obama; 9% Predict Most Will Help Romney
Most voters think President Obama has gotten better treatment from the media than Mitt Romney has, and they expect that biased coverage to continue. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Obama has received the best treatment from the media so far. Just 18% think his Republican challenger has been treated better. Twenty-three percent (23%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 8-9, 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.
August 15, 2012There Ought Not to Be a Law By John Stossel
I'm a libertarian in part because I see a false choice offered by the political left and right: government control of the economy -- or government control of our personal lives.
People on both sides think of themselves as freedom lovers. The left thinks government can lessen income inequality. The right thinks government can make Americans more virtuous. I say we're best off if neither side attempts to advance its agenda via government.

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                            August 14, 201237% Are Confident in Fed To Keep Inflation Under Control
At a time when most Americans report they’re paying more for groceries compared to last year, confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation under control has fallen to a new low for 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation under control and interest rates down, but that includes just nine percent (9%) who are Very Confident.  Fifty-seven percent (57%) lack confidence in the Fed, with 19% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 14, 2012Majority of Adults Believe Parents Should Have Choices About Children's Schools
When it comes to their child’s education, most Americans agree that parents should have a choice when it comes to prayer in school, what the students wear and how much of the year they spend in class. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults think parents should have a choice between sending their children to a school that allows in-school prayer and one that does not. Thirteen percent (13%) do not believe parents should have that choice, but another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 14, 2012Ohio: Obama 45%, Romney 45%
Rasmussen Reports’ latest look at the presidential race in Ohio shows President Obama and Mitt Romney running dead even at 45% each.
A new telephone survey of Likely Ohio Voters finds that six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate and four percent (4%) 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 500 Likely Voters in Ohio was conducted on August 13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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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                            August 14, 201250% Now View Paul Ryan Favorably; 43% Say He Was Right Choice
Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan’s favorables are up after the first blush of national media exposure following Mitt Romney’s selection of him as his vice presidential running mate. But as is generally the case with running mates, Ryan gives only a slight boost to Romney.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters now have a favorable opinion of Ryan, while 32% view him unfavorably. This includes 29% with a Very Favorable view of Romney’s vice presidential pick and 13% with a Very Unfavorable one.  Only 13% are now unfamiliar with Ryan, and five percent (5%) are not sure about him. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 14, 2012Ohio: 51% Have Favorable Opinion of Paul Ryan
Early reactions to Mitt Romney’s new running mate are modestly positive in Ohio.
Fifty-one percent (51%) have a favorable opinion of the GOP’s Vice Presidential running mate. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Ohio finds that 39% have an unfavorable view. Those figures include 33% with a Very Favorable opinion and 24% with a Very Unfavorable view.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Ohio was conducted on August 13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
August 14, 2012Spending We Can Believe In by Froma Harrop
When Curiosity touched down on Mars, joy erupted at NASA's lab in Pasadena, Calif., and national pride swelled. America the Demoralized had briefly vanished. Our research instruments were going where no research instruments had gone before. America was back at its game.

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                            August 14, 201243% Think Extension of Bush Tax Cuts Likely, 46% Disagree
Most voters want to continue the so-called Bush tax cuts, but they aren’t convinced that President Obama and Congress will extend those tax cuts by the end of the year when they expire.
Only 43% of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think it’s even somewhat likely that Congress and the president will reach an agreement before year’s end that extends the Bush administration tax cuts. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% think such an extension is unlikely.
Those figures include just nine percent (9%) who feel and extension of the Bush tax cuts is Very Likely and 13% who view it as Not At All Likely. (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 nationwide was conducted on August 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.
August 13, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 42%, Democrats 39%
Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the sixth week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, August 12.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% 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.

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                            August 13, 201223% Give U.S. Public Education Positive Marks
Americans still don’t think too highly of the public education system in the United States, but they continue to give much higher marks to the school their own child attends.
A new Rasmussen Report national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults rate the current performance of public schools in America today as good or excellent.  Thirty-six percent (36%) give public education in the United States poor marks.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 13, 201244% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking Industry
The number of Americans who are confident in the U.S. banking system remains below 50%, but most still aren’t worried they will lose money due to a bank failure.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 44% are confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including just 11% who are Very Confident. Fifty-one percent (51%) don’t share this confidence, with 11% who are Not At All Confident in the banking system. (To see survey question wording,  click here.)
The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on August 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.