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August 27, 2012

Win An IPad: The Rasmussen Challenge Starts Today

Rasmussen Reports is pleased to announce the launch of The Rasmussen Challenge, a weekly online contest designed to test your knowledge of public opinion. In The Rasmussen Challenge, participants accumulate points throughout the entire contest period for correctly (or almost correctly) guessing what public opinion will be for specific poll questions. Take The Rasmussen Challenge Today!

August 27, 2012

Most Favor Health Care Repeal, Expect Law to Increase Costs

Most voters still support repeal of President Obama’s national health care law and believe it will increase the deficit and the cost of health care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% favor repeal, while 41% are opposed. This includes 40% who Strongly Favor repeal of the health care measure and 31% who Strongly Oppose it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 24-25, 2011 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 26, 2012

69% Say They Have Returned A Lost Wallet

Fewer Americans say they have returned a lost wallet they found, but more have been on the receiving end of such honesty.  Most adults still say that if they get extra change from someone, they give it back. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that that 69% of American Adults say they have returned a lost wallet, although that is down from 75% measured in August 2010. Fifteen percent (15%) say they have not returned a lost wallet, while 16% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 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.

August 26, 2012

51% See A Home As A Family’s Best Investment

Just over half of Americans believe a home is a family’s best investment, but most still don’t think it’s a good time for someone to sell their house.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make.  Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree, but another 22% are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on August 19-20, 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.

August 25, 2012

16% Have Favorable Opinion of Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson

Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson is on the ballot in all 50 states but is largely unknown to the nation’s voters.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 16% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Johnson, while 20% offer an unfavorable view. Only one-out-of-10 have a strong opinion of him: Two percent (2%) have a Very Favorable view of Johnson, while eight percent (8%) have a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 22-23, 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 25, 2012

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending August 25, 2012

Voters are clear that the economy is the most important issue in this year’s presidential campaign, but right now “legitimate rape” and a plan to reform Medicare seem to be dominating much of the media coverage.

Short- and long-term confidence in the nation’s economy continues to hover around lows for the year.  

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of homeowners believe the value of their home will go down over the next year. One-in-four (24%) think the value of their home will go down even further over the next five years. Fewer than half (47%) believe their home is worth more than what they still owe on the mortgage.  

Twenty-six percent (26%) say their home is worth less now than when they bought it.

August 24, 2012

Virginia Senate: Allen (R) 45%, Kaine (D) 45%

The race for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat remains one of the tightest of the year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Virginia shows Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine each drawing 45% of the vote. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on August 23, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

August 24, 2012

41% Say Situation in Afghanistan Will Get Worse in Near Future

The death toll of U.S. troops in Afghanistan rose above 2,000 earlier this month, more voters believe the situation there will get worse.  Still, voters tend to believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds that 41% think the situation in Afghanistan will get worse in the next six months. Just 18% predict the situation will get better, while 31% say it will remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 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.

August 24, 2012

Virginia: Romney 47%, Obama 47%

Just days before Republicans make Mitt Romney’s candidacy official, he and President Obama are running dead even in the critical battleground state of Virginia.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Virginia shows Romney and Obama each with 47% support. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on August 23, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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 24, 2012

The Wrong Kind of Experience: Paul Ryan's Big Foreign Policy Credential By Joe Conason

Defending himself against the perception that he has no significant foreign policy experience, Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan has drawn fresh attention to one of the most controversial acts of the past decade: the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq before U.N. weapons inspections were completed.

August 24, 2012

Missouri: Obama 47%, Romney 46%

As the controversy over Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” comment continues, Mitt Romney’s lead in Missouri has vanished.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Missouri Voters finds President Obama with 47% support to Romney’s 46%. Three percent (3%) favor some other candidate in the race, and three percent (3%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on August 22, 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 24, 2012

Romney, Obama Both Struggle to Connect By Scott Rasmussen

When Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan next week, the race against President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will be officially underway. Yet while the two teams represent different ideological views, different upbringings, different faith backgrounds and different experiences, neither of them has yet inspired any confidence among voters.

August 23, 2012

36% Say Economy Will Be Weaker A Year From Now

Short- and long-term confidence in the nation’s economy continues to hover around 2012 lows. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of American Adults think the U.S. economy will be stronger a year from today, but slightly more (36%) believe it will be weaker in a year's time.  Seventeen percent (17%) think economic conditions in the country will stay about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on August 21-22, 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.

August 23, 2012

69% Think Most Politicians Break the Rules for Big Contributors

Money talks as far as most voters are concerned. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most politicians break the rules to help people who give them a lot of money. That’s up slightly from 63% four years ago. Just 13% disagree and don’t think most politicians are for sale. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 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.

August 23, 2012

New Mexico Senate: Heinrich (D) 48%, Wilson (R) 41%

Democratic Congressman Martin Heinrich receives his highest level of support yet against former Congresswoman Heather Wilson in New Mexico’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of New Mexico Likely Voters shows Heinrich with 48% of the vote to Wilson’s 41%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This New Mexico survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on August 21, 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 23, 2012

New Mexico Senate: Heinrich (D) 48%, Wilson (R) 41%

Democratic Congressman Martin Heinrich receives his highest level of support yet against former Congresswoman Heather Wilson in New Mexico’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of New Mexico Likely Voters shows Heinrich with 48% of the vote to Wilson’s 41%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This New Mexico survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on August 21, 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 23, 2012

Missouri Senate: McCaskill (D) 48%, Akin (R) 38%

What a difference one TV interview can make. Embattled Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill has now jumped to a 10-point lead over her Republican challenger, Congressman Todd Akin, in Missouri’s U.S. Senate race. Most Missouri Republicans want Akin to quit the race while most Missouri Democrats want him to stay.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Show Me State finds McCaskill earning 48% support to Akin’s 38%. Nine percent (9%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on August 22, 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 23, 2012

Akin's Consistency Is GOP's Real Problem By Froma Harrop

The political convulsion over Missouri Republican Todd Akin's bizarre talk of "legitimate rape" highlights an issue that the GOP had buried in its campaign.

While the U.S. senatorial candidate's grasp of reproductive science is shockingly lacking -- he said real rape victims rarely get pregnant -- his position that abortions be banned with no exception for rape happens to be in the new Republican Party platform. It is a stance that most Americans, including most registered Republicans, disagree with and probably didn't know was an official party position. Now they do.

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August 23, 2012

Award-Winning Director Matthew Cohen Joins What America Thinks

Rasmussen Reports and Telco Productions are pleased to announce that Matthew Cohen has joined What America Thinks With Scott Rasmussen as director of the new nationally syndicated half-hour weekly television show scheduled to debut the weekend of September 8. Top stations already signed to feature the program include WCBS in New York and KCBS in Los Angeles.

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August 23, 2012

GM Goes From Bad to Worse Despite Obama Bailout by Michael Barone

Readers with long memories may recall that Charles E. Wilson, president of General Motors and nominee for secretary of defense, got into trouble when he told a Senate committee, "What is good for the country is good for General Motors, and what's good for General Motors is good for the country."