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                            August 17, 2012Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 54%, Baldwin (D) 43%
After a hard-fought primary win on Tuesday, Republican Tommy Thompson now holds a double-digit lead over Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Thompson with 54% of the vote to Baldwin’s 43%. One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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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 17, 2012Ryan's Hope: Voodoo Economics Still Isn't a Plan By Joe Conason
By naming Paul Ryan as the Republican vice presidential nominee, Mitt Romney has endorsed what used to be known as "voodoo economics" -- and restored that special brand of Republican superstition to the center of national debate.
To take Ryan seriously, as all too many pundits and politicians insist we must, requires everyone to behave as if the plans he produced as House Budget Committee chairman represent a meaningful effort to improve the nation's fiscal future. Sooner or later, however, real analysts will scrutinize the Ryan budget using honest math instead of humbug and magic.
In fact, they already have done so -- and that is where the myth of Ryan as a serious, scrupulous and bold reformer begins to disintegrate.

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                            August 17, 2012Florida Senate: Nelson (D) 47%, Mack (R) 40%
Despite his impressive win in Tuesday’s state Republican Primary, Congressman Connie Mack trails Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson in Florida’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters shows Nelson earning 47% support to Mack’s 40%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and 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 500 Likely Voters in Florida 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.

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                            August 17, 2012Reaction to Ryan: A Gap Between Mainstream America and Official Washington By Scott Rasmussen
One of the things Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate ensures is a series of polling questions over the coming months asking voters what's more important: creating jobs or cutting government spending; helping the economy or cutting deficits; repealing the president's health care law or focusing on the economy.

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                            August 16, 2012On Economy, 45% Trust Republicans, 40% Democrats
Voters now trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on eight of 10 important issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports, including the most important one:  the economy. 
The latest national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Republicans more to handle the economy, while 40% place their trust in Democrats. (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.
Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on August 8-9 & 12-13, 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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                            August 16, 201240% Have Unfavorable View of Janet Napolitano
Now the subject of a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and discrimination against male employees in the highest levels of her department, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano remains one of the most unpopular members of President Obama's Cabinet. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely Voters have an unfavorable opinion of the former Arizona governor, including 25% with a Very Unfavorable view of her. Just 27% regard Napolitano favorably, with nine percent (9%) who view her Very Favorably. One-out-of-three voters (34%) don’t know enough about Napolitano to offer any kind of opinion of her. (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 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.

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                            August 16, 2012Most Voters Don’t Expect Tax, Spending Cuts From Obama or Romney
Voters still think there’s a greater chance of higher taxes and more government spending if President Obama wins the election and his fellow Democrats take full control of Congress.  But most voters don’t expect Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans, even with budget hawk Paul Ryan on board, to cut taxes and spending if they take over.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters expect government spending to go up if Obama is reelected and Democrats regain control of Congress. Only eight percent (8%) think spending will go down, and 32% predict that it will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 16, 2012Florida: Romney 45%, Obama 43%
Mitt Romney and President Obama still run nearly even in Florida just days after the Republican named Congressman Paul Ryan to be his running mate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Florida shows Romney earning 45% support to the president’s 43%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) 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 Florida 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.

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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.)